We all know someone who eats tomatoes every day. It’s colorful, it’s light, it’s seasonal. But no one imagines that such a reflex can produce a measurable medical effect alone. And yet.
What researchers have observed among major tomatoes consumers
The study participants were divided into four groups, depending on the quantity of tomatoes consumed every day. Some ate less than 44 g, others more than 110 g, an entire tomato Or a good handful of cherry tomatoes.
What struck the researchers was what they found in this last group. People who ate more than 110 g per day displayed a 36 % reduced risk of developing hypertension. A figure that surprised the authors, to the point of directing their research towards the specific components of the tomato.
Even among participants in terms of intermediate consumption, an improvement has been measured, with a light but constant drop diastolic tension. This phenomenon observed on several thousand people deserves attention.
Why the tomato would have such an effect on the body
Several tracks are mentioned. The most serious concerns Lycopenean antioxidant red pigment very present in the tomato. It could help blood vessels to get dilated better, in addition to acting on a key enzyme that regulates blood pressure.
Another essential element: potassium. This mineral naturally presents in the tomato limits the impact of sodium, often responsible for the rise in tension. The balance between the two would play a major role in the observed effect.
And contrary to popular belief, cooked tomatoes do not lose their value. On the contrary, cooking makes lycopene more easily absorbable by the body. Hence the interest of varying the preparations: in salad, in soup, or in simmered sauce.
How to adapt this habit easily on a daily basis
110 g of tomatoes, it’s very little. This corresponds to:
- 1 large classic tomato,,
- or 6 to 8 cherry tomatoes,,
- or 2 tablespoons of homemade tomato sauce.
This figure may seem trivial. But in a daily routine, it could well make a real difference, especially in people at cardiovascular risks or over 55 years old.
The study does not claim that tomato is a medication. It simply shows that regular and moderate consumption can be easily integrated into a more protective lifestyle. And if such a simple gesture can strengthen what you are already doing for your health, you might as well keep it on the menu.
