We've all heard of the health benefits of eating tomatoes, here's a look at seven reasons why you may want to eat more tomatoes.

7 Powerful Reasons To Eat Tomatoes
By Annette Welsford

1. Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C and potassium. They also pack plenty of the phytochemicals that provide disease prevention benefits. Tomatoes are high in lycopene (a powerful antioxidant) and phenolic compounds. In our diet, 95% of lycopene intake comes from tomatoes and tomato products. It is also found in watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya and rosehip.
2. Lycopene is the carotenoid that makes tomatoes red. It appears that lycopene can reduce the risk of certain cancers, the eye disorder age-related macular degeneration, atherosclerosis and sun damage to the skin.
3. Men who eat two or more servings of tomato products average a 35 percent reduction in prostate cancer risk.
4. Lycopene helps women guard against cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia, (CIN), tumorous tissue growth in the cervix according to research from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Lycopene is a powerful inhibitor of the growth of breast, endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) and lung cancer cells.
5. Lycopene is better absorbed by the body when it is cooked with some oil. The cooking helps to break down the cell walls of the tomato releasing the lycopene and the oil helps increase its absorption. Japanese scientists found that mixing tomato juice into the drinking water of mice completely prevented them suffering emphysema triggered by tobacco smoke.
6. Tomatoes also contain Lutein. Lutein is found in the retina of our eyes so it needed for healthy vision. Lutein also appears to lower the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Lutein may also help to prevent or slow down the thickening of arteries that is called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a major risk for cardiovascular disease.
7. Tomato products are beneficial in aggressive cancers that have also spread to other parts of the body.

More detailed information provided in How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes

Annette Welsford and Lucia Grimmer are the authors of the world best seller – How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes
With a Masters Degree in Plant Pathology, Lucia provides expert technical nutrition and disease advice to professional tomato growers around the globe. Annette's writing and design skills ensure readers enjoy and informative and well presented book.

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