What Happens If You Eat Tomatoes Every Day?
Tomatoes are one of the most versatile fruits on the planet. They can be found in everything from soup to pizza to juice. Known for their sweet, tangy flavor, tomatoes also boast an array of health benefits. According to Healthline, tomatoes are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and vitamin K1. Vitamin C supports a healthy immune system while vitamin K1 is crucial for bone health and blood clotting. Tomatoes also contain potassium and folate. Potassium helps control blood pressure and folate is important for cell function and tissue growth.
One of the best benefits of tomatoes is their lycopene content. Lycopene is a plant compound that has been shown to reduce the risk of certain types of cancers (via the Annual Review of Food Science and Technology). You can get even more lycopene in your diet when you cook your tomatoes. "Tomatoes are one of those few foods that are more nutritious when cooked, although they're still pretty darn nutritious right off the vine," Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS, told Good Housekeeping. "Cooking them actually releases the lycopene!" Throw a handful of tomatoes into soups, pasta dishes, and roasted veggie trays to access these benefits.
Can you eat too many tomatoes?
With so many health benefits, is there a reason to limit the number of tomatoes in your diet? Like with any food, there can always be too much of a good thing. According to Livestrong, tomatoes may cause migraines in some people. They can also cause acid reflux, due to their high malic acid and citric acid content. This effect mainly happens to people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but can affect anyone. Eating large amounts of tomatoes can also lead to bloating and diarrhea in people with irritable bowel syndrome. If you are prone to any of these health issues, you may want to limit tomatoes in your diet.
When you choose to eat tomatoes, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this nutritious fruit. Slice cherry or grape tomatoes and eat them plain or with hummus as a snack. Put raw tomato slices on sandwiches or in salads, or top your avocado toast with them for a nutrient-packed lunch. You can add canned tomatoes to soups or pasta sauces, or top your pizza with an extra helping of tomato sauce. However you enjoy them, tomatoes are a great addition to your diet.