Facts About Tomatoes That You May Not Know

Facts About Tomatoes That You May Not Know

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Facts about tomatoes that you may not know

Tomatoes are a versatile and popular ingredient found in many different dishes and diets. Despite technically being a fruit, nutritionists usually consider it a vegetable. Tomatoes are loved by people and are a staple ingredient in many dishes in many cultures around the world. It also has many health benefits, including being a source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

Facts About Tomatoes That You May Not Know

In this blog, we are going to tell some fun and interesting facts about tomatoes that you probably did not know before! Read on to know more.

What type of fruit is tomato

Yes, it may sound a bit strange but tomato is scientifically a fruit but it is used as a vegetable in everyday life.

What is the colour of tomatoes

Believe it or not, tomatoes are not always red. In fact, they can come in many colors such as yellow, pink, purple, black and even white. Due to quality standards, we often see only red tomatoes in the supermarket, but if you go to your local farm shop or greengrocer, you can find tomatoes of many colors.

Tomato Varieties

It is believed that there are more than 3,000 heirloom tomato varieties currently being grown worldwide, and there are more than 15,000 known varieties in total.

China is the Largest Producer of Tomatoes

Historically, China is the largest producer of tomatoes, producing about one-fourth of the world’s total production. The US and India are the second and third largest producers, respectively.

Tomatoes Are Very Rich in Lycopene

Tomatoes are the richest source of naturally occurring lycopene. Lycopene is a very powerful antioxidant that is important for the health of the prostate gland in men. It also gives red and pink fruits their color. Tomatoes, watermelons and papayas are all colored by lycopene. Some reports have also suggested that lycopene may reduce and prevent certain types of cancer.

Tomatoes are Well-Known for Heart Health

Tomatoes have some anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with heart and brain health. Tomatoes are also a good source of potassium, which is associated with lowering high blood pressure in the body. Therefore, it also helps prevent cardiovascular problems. To know how important tomatoes are in your child’s diet, you should know that 100 grams of tomatoes contain 20 calories of energy, 0.9 grams of protein, 3.6 grams of carbohydrates, 0.2 grams of fat, 20 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.64 milligrams of iron, 48 milligrams of calcium, 12.9 milligrams of sodium, 146 milligrams of potassium and 1.2 grams of fiber. This juicy vegetable contains 95% water and is therefore hydrating.

Facts About Tomatoes That You May Not Know

Facts About Tomatoes

  • Tomatoes first originated in the South American Andes near the region of “modern-day Peru”, and were used as food by the Aztecs in southern Mexico.
  • There are different types of tomatoes available today. Sliced tomatoes are used for processing and immediate consumption. Tomatoes as big as a large strawberry are also found. For tomato sauces and pastes, long or juicy tomatoes are used.
  • Cherry tomatoes, which are round and usually sweet, are eaten mainly in salads. Campari tomatoes come in small to medium size and can be sweet and juicy.
  • Every year, the small town of Bunol in Spain hosts the “La Tomatina” festival, which is a tomato festival and is very popular. In this festival, about 40,000 people throw 1, 50, 000 tomatoes at each other.
  • According to the Guinness World Records, the heaviest tomato grown weighed 3.51 kg. This tomato was grown in Oklahoma, USA by G. Graham in 1986.
  • A medium-sized tomato (123 grams) contains 22 calories.
  • A medium-sized tomato (123 grams) contains no fat.
  • A medium-sized tomato (123 grams) contains no cholesterol.
  • One medium-sized tomato (123 grams) contains 6 milligrams of sodium.
  • One medium-sized tomato (123 grams) contains 5 grams of carbohydrates.
  • One medium-sized tomato (123 grams) contains 2 grams of dietary fiber.
  • One medium-sized tomato (123 grams) contains 3 grams of sugar.
  • One medium-sized tomato (123 grams) contains 1 gram of protein.
  • One medium-sized tomato (123 grams) contains 12 milligrams of calcium.
  • One medium-sized tomato (123 grams) contains 291 milligrams of potassium.
  • Tomato juice has been the official beverage of the US state of Ohio since 1965.

Harmful effects of eating tomatoes

Eating tomatoes can cause some health problems for some people, especially if they are eaten in large quantities or in certain conditions.

Facts About Tomatoes That You May Not Know

Stomach problems:

  • Acidity and heartburn: Tomatoes are high in acid, which can cause heartburn and stomach irritation in people with acidity or gastric problems.
  • Digestive problems: Excessive consumption of tomatoes can aggravate digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Gas and bloating: Some people may experience gas and bloating after eating tomatoes.

Allergies:

  • Some people may be allergic to tomatoes, which can cause skin rashes, itching, and breathing problems.
  • Kidney stones:
  • The calcium oxalate present in tomatoes can cause kidney stones, especially in people who already have kidney stones. Joint pain:
  • The compound solanine present in tomatoes can cause joint pain and swelling.

Other problems:

  • Migraine: Some studies suggest that excessive consumption of tomatoes can increase migraine pain.
  • Urinary tract infection: Excessive consumption of tomatoes can increase urinary tract infection.

Precautions:

  • If you have acidity, digestive problems, or allergies, reduce the consumption of tomatoes or consult a doctor.
  • If you have kidney stones or joint pain, reduce the consumption of tomatoes.
  • Some of its side effects can be reduced by eating cooked tomatoes.
  • If you eat tomatoes in salad, it is better to eat it after removing its seeds.