The taste and nutrition, as well as the health benefits of tomatoes, have been highly valued. Enjoyed around the world, they are essential ingredients in the diets of many cultures. However, the plant has a checkered past, including myths, misconceptions and controversies, and the challenges of modern tomato mass production continue to generate debate. However, there is no debate about the intrinsic health benefits of tomato. The tomato is appreciated both for its nutritional value and for its delicious flavor.
Tomato History
Peru is generally credited with the first cultivation of the fruit now known as the tomato. Tomatoes of that time were tiny compared to modern tomatoes, but they were already a valuable food, bred for their flavor. From Peru, the tomato spread throughout South and Central America. The Aztecs of Mexico prized them and used them extensively in their cooking, including salsa. When the Spanish invaded Mexico in the early 1500s, the Aztecs developed a gruesome new tomato recipe. The fruit was served with the meat of the Spanish invaders.
Some believe that it was the Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortés who brought the tomato to Europe after conquering the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City. Others believe that Christopher Columbus brought plants to Europe with him as early as 1493. An Italian herbarium document from 1544 mentions the tomato as pomo d’oro, or golden apple. In 1597, the English surgeon John Gerard published a herbarium declaring that the tomato was poisonous and should not be eaten, leading to a century or two of exclusion of the fruit from British and colonial diets.
There are several theories as to why so many believed the tomato to be poisonous. One theory blames pewter plates, which had a high lead content. Acidic foods like tomatoes caused some of the lead to leach into the food, causing lead poisoning. However, lead poisoning occurs so gradually, over such a long period of time, that many consider it unlikely that the tomato has ever been identified as the cause. A more likely theory is that the tomato is considered a member of the nightshade family of plants. In fact, the tomato leaf is not safe to eat. Eating tomato leaves can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness, and in severe cases, can lead to death.
There was also controversy for a while about whether the tomato is a fruit or a vegetable. Botanically, the tomato is a berry, a subset of the fruit, but its contents are more like a vegetable. Perhaps the best way to describe the tomato is as “the fruit that behaves like a vegetable”.
mass produced tomatoes
Today, tomatoes are grown throughout the world, adapted to a variety of growing conditions with thousands of cultivars. Tomatoes range in size, color and flavor, from four-inch-diameter steak beauties to elongated plum tomatoes seen in sauces. Tomatoes rightfully hold their place among nutritional superfoods, however, in some areas of the world, efforts to mass-produce the fruit are causing concern among health experts.
In Florida, much of the land used for agriculture was taken from the Everglades. Sandy soil and moist air don’t follow the temperament of tomatoes, so farmers add lots of chemical fertilizers to stimulate growth. The fruit is sent to market while it is still green, before the sun has ripened its flavor and colour: the tomatoes are gassed to make them look red. Compared to organic tomatoes, they are higher in sodium and lower in vitamins and minerals. Many of these tomatoes end up in fast food restaurants and supermarket chains. Consumers are encouraged to purchase locally grown tomatoes whenever possible. When that’s not possible, canned tomatoes are healthier: The tomatoes found in canned tomatoes are usually left to ripen before processing.
Health benefits of tomatoes
Naturally grown tomatoes contain many valuable nutrients, including lycopene, which has been linked to cancer prevention. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are nutrients that can slow or repair damage that can be caused when cells in the body metabolize oxygen. As cells take in oxygen, molecular bonds can break, creating products called free radicals. Free radicals immediately try to stabilize themselves by latching onto the nearest molecule. This process can damage healthy cells. Too many free radicals, or not enough antioxidants, can predispose the body to cancer. Antioxidants may also help support the body’s immune system, reducing instances of conditions and illnesses associated with a weakened immune system. It should be noted that tomato skin also contains powerful antioxidants.
Tomatoes contain other beneficial nutrients, including beta-carotene and lutein, as well as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Tomatoes are also high in potassium. Also, the nutrients in tomatoes become more powerful or efficient when combined with other foods. An Ohio State University study found that consuming tomatoes with healthy fats, such as olive oil or avocado, boosts the body’s ability to absorb antioxidants by 2-15 times. A study published in Cancer Research found more positive effects in treating prostate tumors in rats when tomatoes were combined with broccoli. No allergies or adverse effects have been definitely associated with tomatoes.
enjoying the tomatoes
The healthiest way to enjoy tomatoes is to grow them in your home garden or purchase locally grown, organic tomatoes at a farmer’s market or health food store. When this is not possible, canned tomatoes are an acceptable alternative. One medium tomato, one cup of tomato juice, or one soup make up one serving of the recommended daily intake of vegetables. To get the added benefits of combining tomatoes with other nutrient-dense foods, try adding a few broccoli florets to tomato soup. Add both tomatoes and broccoli florets to a salad. Reduce the amount of cheese on a pizza and drizzle olive oil on it for a rich flavor. Chop avocado in your favorite sauce or chop tomato in your favorite guacamole. However you enjoy the health benefits of tomatoes, you will stimulate your system and taste one of life’s culinary delights.
