Thursday, February 9, 2023

Health Note - Tomatoes each day

 Beloved, 
I wish above all things that thou mayest..... be in health, ....
3 John 1:2
 
"Tomatoes are a berry fruit (not a vegetable). 
 
They’re rich in vitamin C and “lycopene”, which is a carotenoid.
Carotenoids are pigments produced by plants and give vegetables their bright colors. 
 
A review of six trials asked people to consume tomato products equivalent to 1-1.5 large tomatoes daily for about six weeks.
The researchers found people who did this had reduced blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood that increases heart disease risk), as well as lower total and “bad” cholesterol levels, compared to those who didn’t have any tomatoes.
These people also had increased levels of “good cholesterol”.
 
Another review of 11 studies tested the effect of tomatoes and
lycopene on blood pressure.
Researchers found consuming any tomato products led to a large decrease in systolic blood pressure (the first number that measures the pressure at which the heart pumps blood).
However, there was no effect on the diastolic pressure (the second number which is the pressure in the heart when it relaxes).
In the group who had high blood pressure to begin with, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased after eating tomato products compared to placebos."
ClareCollins/ePocket