What is it
The tomato diet is not a classic low-calorie diet. It is more of a general indication that is based on the known beneficial properties of this vegetable and its low calorie content.
Why the tomato Considered by many the king of the Mediterranean diet, the tomato is a valid ally of those who want to lose weight.
Some research has shown that an ideal diet for those who want to lose weight should include foods with an “energy density”, ie the amount of calories per amount of food, less than 100 calories per 100 grams.
It is enough to know that the tomato has less than 20 calories per 100 grams to realize how useful it can be in weight loss diets. Also because it has the ability to stimulate the sense of satiety more quickly, thus making us eat less
Benefits and risks
The tomato, in addition to being low-calorie, is also rich in fiber and water, very useful in summer.
Water represents 95 percent of the total and therefore this vegetable, favoring diuresis, is ideal for combating water retention.
It is also rich in antioxidant vitamins and lycopene: the latter has been shown, in several scientific studies, to have protective properties against blood vessels. In practice, it prevents cardiovascular diseases.
The antioxidant benefits of lycopenes, according to various studies, also affect the skin. In fact, it seems that, thanks to its properties, this molecule preserves from skin aging.
But be careful: like potato, eggplant and pepper, this vegetable is part of the Solanaceae family and therefore contains, albeit in extremely variable concentrations, solanine, an alkaloid that for some people is little tolerated.
A diet with large quantities of tomato, moreover, should be avoided by those suffering from stomach hyperacidity or gastroesophageal reflux, because it stimulates the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and could aggravate the symptoms.
Most active lycopene when cooked
Unlike other antioxidant substances, which generally lose all or part of their properties when cooking food, lycopene increases its activity with heat.
For this reason, tomato sauce is considered the best source of lycopene, even superior to raw tomatoes.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.