What are the benefits of cherry tomatoes for the body?

There are many varieties of tomatoes. They are distinguished by the rate of maturation, thermophilicity, size, shape, color of the fruit, size of the bush and purpose. We will consider the smallest and most delicious variety - cherry tomato... We will find out what the benefits and harms of cherry tomatoes are for the body, how to choose a quality vegetable, how to store it correctly and where you can use it.

What are cherry tomatoes

Cherry tomato (from English sherry - "cherry") is a variety of herbaceous annual tomatoes of the Solanaceae family. Tomatoes are small in size, but taste better than their larger counterparts.

The homeland of the cherry is Peru, they were brought to Europe in the 70s of the 20th century. For the first time, Israeli scientists drew attention to them, who modified the variety: improved nutritional characteristics and resistance to hot climates, and increased the storage period.

The size, shape and color of the vegetable are different. The size ranges from a large cherry to a medium-sized apple, the color is varied: red, black, orange, green... The shape is spherical, oblong, drop-shaped. The main distinguishing features are sweet aromatic taste, firm flesh, firm skin.

Composition and calorie content

The weight of an average cherry tomato is 25 g. About 20 fruits are formed on one brush, the bush itself reaches a height of up to 1 m. Cherry is the record holder for the content of vitamins, macro- and microelements. In addition, it contains a large amount of lycopene.

Basic vitamins - B4, B9, C, A, K; macronutrients - potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine; trace elements - copper, cobalt, manganese. All of the listed useful substances, in comparison with the usual varieties of tomatoes, are contained in cherry tomatoes in double the amount.

KBZHU vegetable: calorie content is 15 kcal, proteins - 0.8 g, fats - 0.1 g, carbohydrates - 2.8 g.

Benefit and harm

Consider how cherry tomatoes are useful for the body:

• prevent the development of cancer;
• accelerate the healing of soft tissues;
• reduce the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases;
• contribute to the normal development of the musculoskeletal system of the fetus in the womb;
• reduce the manifestations of chronic fatigue syndrome;
• speed up metabolism.

Tomatoes have a beneficial effect on the state of internal organs and systems. Cherry tomatoes are good for weight loss. Due to their low calorie content, they remove toxins, toxins, and activate the work of the digestive tract.

Eating tomatoes reduces the harmful effects of nicotine on the body, improves brain function and increases efficiency. Thanks to the potassium in the composition, they contribute to the outflow of excess fluid from the body, reduce the severity or prevent the appearance of edema. The tomato is considered the source of youth and beauty. It is widely used in cosmetology to prepare masks that rejuvenate, cleanse, and regenerate the skin. The magnesium in the composition is very useful when winter comes - it helps the body to adapt to the cold.

Lycopene, a non-cyclic isomer of beta-carotene, gives tomatoes a red pigment and acts as an antioxidant in the body. In addition, it slows down the oxidation processes in the body, blocks the action of free radicals, prolonging youth. Lycopene does not dissolve in water, but it dissolves perfectly in fats. To enrich the body with this element, eat tomatoes with fatty foods.

With all the positive characteristics, the product also has contraindications.With caution, it is included in the diet for ulcers, since the acids in the composition irritate the gastric mucosa. It is worth limiting the use of tomatoes for patients with serious metabolic disorders. Due to the bright color, allergy sufferers should not be consumed in order to avoid skin rashes. It is recommended to exclude the vegetable in case of kidney disease and cholelithiasis, since it has a strong choleretic effect.

Important! During the period of bearing a child, it is necessary to control the amount of tomatoes in the diet. An excess is dangerous with colic and diarrhea in the expectant mother, which is undesirable during pregnancy.

How to choose

The choice of tomatoes has its own specific characteristics. The strong smell of tomatoes determines their ripeness. Absence or weakness indicates that the crop was harvested too early, before the fruit has reached maturity. The use of such a product is unsafe as it contains toxins.

Pick fruits on a branch: it should be green with dense bright red tomatoes without skin damage and traces of pests. The absence of a branch is a sign of improper or long storage.

Store cherry tomatoes in a cool, dark place; using a refrigerator is not necessary. To preserve them for the winter, they are frozen or canned.

Cherry tomatoes in cooking

Due to its beneficial properties, cherry is used for cooking dishes from different nations of the world. They are used as the main ingredient in salads (Greek, Caesar, vegetable with arugula, etc.), added to pizza, casseroles, and sauces.

Cherry is pretty easy to pickle. Only this variety is used to prepare sun-dried tomatoes, which are very popular in Italy and France. Dried cherry is used as a spice.

The most unusual cooking option is candied fruit (tomato dessert). The vegetable perfectly complements the taste of dishes, regardless of the method of preparation.

Analogs and similar products

In terms of the antioxidant content of cherry, vegetables such as pumpkin, eggplant, red peppers, carrots, and beets are comparable. Pumpkin has a similar vitamin composition, low calorie content, accelerates metabolism, it is included in the diet, like tomatoes. However, their taste characteristics differ.

Eggplant is not inferior to tomato in usefulness: it cleanses the intestines from toxins, regulates water balance, and lowers cholesterol.

Large varieties of tomatoes are similar in composition and vitamin complex to cherry, but the content of useful components in them is half as much.

All seasonal vegetables are rich in vitamins, so don't dwell on one of them. For the body to work properly, all vegetables, without exception, must be present in the diet.

Conclusion

Based on the description of the composition and useful properties of cherry tomatoes, there is no doubt that this is an irreplaceable product in the diet. Diet vegetable helps to reduce weight and cleanse the body, helps in the prevention of a wide range of diseases. It is also considered an excellent anti-aging component of face masks.

Cherry tomatoes are also used in cooking as an ingredient in salads, sauces and even desserts.