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HEALTH & NUTRITION:
ARTICLES
Tomato products can be easily integrated into a well balanced
diet and are nutritious, convenient, and affordable. Products
like sauce, juice, soup, whole canned tomatoes, and salsa
can play a prominent part in a healthy and varied diet.
No fruit or vegetable contributes more nutrients to the
American diet.
In addition to being convenient and affordable,
tomato products are packed with vitamin C and a good
source of vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium and fiber.
Both soluble and insoluble fiber helps with digestion,
and tomatoes contain both. Fruits and vegetables, including
tomatoes, are low in calories and can provide a weight
management benefit. Some tomato products also have
enough soluble fiber to deliver heart health benefits. Tomatoes are a great
natural source of lycopene, a powerful anti-oxidant that
fights disease. There is a large body of serious scientific
research that suggests that consumption of tomato based
products has a promising role in heart health, reducing
the risk of cancer, and diabetes prevention and management;
however, more than just tomatoes' famous ingredient,
lycopene, is involved, the researchers say—added
proof that healthy foods beat supplements most of the time.
Accumulating evidence suggests that a concerted, synergistic
action of various micronutrients is more likely to be the
basis of the disease-prevention activity of a diet rich
in vegetables and fruit.
Lycopene is fat soluble which means
that in order for the body to absorb it, some fat like
olive oil or cheese, must be consumed with it. When tomatoes
are cooked, their nutritional value is enhanced because
the lycopene is more bio-available. With regards to lycopene,
tomato products are, in fact, better for you than fresh
tomatoes. Tomatoes and tomato products provide 85% of
lycopene to the American diet. Convenient & Economical
Tomato products are available in many forms—canned
whole and diced, sauce, soup and beverage. Consumers can
find one or more types of foods that incorporate tomatoes—and
get this healthy vegetable into their diet. Tomato products
are versatile and may be stealthily incorporated into recipes
and unrecognizable as vegetables, especially by children.
Eating tomato products is an equal opportunity for all
consumers, no matter where you live or shop. Only people
in some parts of the United States can enjoy fresh vegetables
all year round, but Tomato products make access to vegetables
easy and economical. Processing tomatoes are picked
and packed at their peak freshness.
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