Tomatoes Have a Superpower

Tomatoes and other red fruits such as watermelons, pink grapefruits, apricots, pink guavas and papaya contain lycopene.

Lycopene is a carotenoid, and gives the fruit the red color, and even colors to fruits and veggies like orange and yellow. Our normal daily function of our cells creates ROS (reactive oxygen species) or “free radicals” as does our exposures to environmental toxins. When the body is overloaded with free radicals, and our detox system is overloaded as well, this can create disease (like cancer and heart disease) and damage to our healthy cells. Lycopene in tomatoes has been the most widely studied, and has very strong antioxidant properties. An antioxidant serves to neutralize the free radicals, therefore reducing our risk of disease and damage to our cells. Studies show that adding these foods to your diet can reduce your risk of cancers of many organs, and may slow the growth of the tumors.

Here are some ways to add in more tomatoes and therefore this powerful antioxidant (lycopene) to your diet:

•  Sauces, and stews: add in fresh or canned tomatoes. If you’re going with canned, look for BPA free cans

• Put out a bowl of cherry or grape tomatoes on the counter for easy snacking

• Slice them and add to virtually any sandwich, whether hot or cold

• Chop up and add to scrambled eggs or an omelet

• Try tomato soup and a handy snack, add in croutons if you’re looking for a crunch