Health Benefits Of Tomatoes
Apart from providing taste and flavor to the various dishes tomatoes contain numerous nutrients that are highly beneficial to the body. Regular intake of raw or cooked tomatoes offer many benefits to the body. The numerous advantages of  taking tomatoes include:

1.Provides vitamin C to the body
Tomatoes are rich sources of vitamin C which is very essential for the body. It acts as an antioxidant and protects the body from the negative effect of free radicals that are produced as a result of various metabolic reactions. A medium sized tomato provides the body with almost one half of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. this vitamin is vital for the formation of connective tissue and helps to maintain the health of the gums and capillaries.

2.Provides carotenoids to the body.
Tomatoes contain good quantities of carotenoids like beta-carotene which are rich sources of vitamin A. This vitamin is essential for the body and helps to maintain cellular growth, keeps skin and hair healthy, helps in the development of teeth and bones and also maintains healthy eyes with proper vision. The antioxidants present in these vitamins A and C move all through the body and neutralize the negative effects of dangerous free radicals that otherwise damage the cells and their membranes.

3.Prevents the occurrence of fatal diseases like cancer
The red color of tomatoes is due to the presence of a pigment called Lycopene .this acts as an antioxidant that neutralizes the free radicals produced as a result of metabolic activities. Research findings have revealed that lycopene present in tomatoes helps to prevent many kinds of cancer such as prostate, stomach, colon, breast, lung and endometrial cancers.

4.Provides minerals to the body.
Tomatoes contain small quantities of vitamin E and minerals like phosphorus, calcium, tryptophan and protein. Chromium present in tomatoes helps to maintain the levels of blood sugar in diabetics. The fiber content present in tomatoes helps to reduce the level of cholesterol and is thus helpful in preventing heart diseases.

5.Helps in blood purification.
Tomatoes aid in purification of blood and help in improving skin color and texture.

6.Helps to prevent occurrence of hemorrhages.
Tomatoes are rich sources of vitamin K which helps to prevent the occurrence of hemorrhages.

It is therefore important to include tomatoes in your diet. It will not only add taste to food but will provide many benefits to the body. The redder the tomato the more lycopene it contains. So choose tomatoes that are deep red in color and enjoy the many benefits of it.