Tomato is a fruit from the nightshade family originating from South America. Despite being a botanical fruit, it is mostly eaten and prepared as a vegetable. Tomatoes are a major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
Usually red when ripe, tomatoes can also come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, green, and purple. Moreover, there are many subspecies of tomatoes with different shapes and tastes. In this article, learn about the calories, nutritional values and impact of tomatoes on your health.
Table of nutritional values of tomatoes per 100g
| Energy value | Proteins | Carbohydrates | Fibers | Fats | Sugar |
| 18 kcal | 0.9 grams | 3.9 grams | 1.2 grams | 0.2 grams | 2.6 grams |
How many calories are in a tomato?
100 grams of tomatoes contain 18 calories.
Remember that tomatoes are a fruit, not a vegetable. This powerful red health ally is full of antioxidants and can help reduce water retention. It also fights leptin resistance. (Leptin is a type of protein that prevents our bodies from losing weight.) In addition, Tomatoes are very low in calories; an average-sized tomato has only 22 calories, and a large tomato has 33 calories. Tomatoes are also considered an appetite suppressant, meaning they contain high amounts of water, air and fiber.
How many carbohydrates do tomatoes have?
100 grams of tomatoes contain 3.9 grams of carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates make up 4% of raw tomatoes, which is less than 5 grams of carbohydrates for a medium-sized tomato (123 grams). Fresh tomatoes are low in carbohydrates. Carbohydrate content consists mainly of simple sugars and insoluble fiber. These fruits are mainly composed of water.
How much fat does a tomato have?
100 grams of tomatoes contain 0.2 grams of fat.
Tomatoes are a good source of fiber, providing about 1.5 grams per average-sized tomato. Most of the fiber (87%) in tomatoes is insoluble, in the form of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin.
How much protein does a tomato have?
100 grams of tomatoes contain 0.9 grams of protein.
Tomatoes are not a food that will help you in your daily protein intake, because tomatoes contain very little protein - 0.9 grams per 100 grams of tomatoes.
How much fiber does a tomato have?
100 grams of tomatoes contain 1.2 grams of carbohydrates.
It is a tomato. good source of fiber, contains approximately two grams in each piece of tomato, which is 7% of the daily recommended amount.
Tomatoes and health
Tomatoes are very healthy for our body, and now we will list the benefits of tomato consumption:
Heart health
Heart disease - including heart attack and stroke - is the most common cause of death in the world. A study of middle-aged men linked low blood levels of lycopene and beta-carotene to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
A growing body of evidence from clinical trials suggests that lycopene supplementation may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Clinical studies of tomato products indicate benefits against inflammation and markers of oxidative stress. They also show a protective effect on the inner layer of blood vessels and can reduce the risk of blood clotting.
Cancer prevention
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that spread beyond their normal limits, often invading other parts of the body. Observational studies have noted links between tomatoes — and tomato products — and lower incidences of prostate, lung, and stomach cancer.
A study in women shows that high concentrations of carotenoids - found in large amounts in tomatoes - can protect against breast cancer.
Skin health
Tomatoes are considered beneficial for skin health. Tomato-based foods rich in lycopene and other plant compounds can protect against sunburn.
According to one study, people who consumed 40 grams of tomato paste — providing 16 mg of lycopene — with olive oil every day for 10 weeks experienced 40% fewer sunburns.
Tomatoes and weight loss
Tomatoes are definitely among favorite foods to fight excess weight. Tomatoes have been found to reduce inflammation and water retention in the body, as well as improve leptin resistance. Leptin is a type of protein that helps regulate metabolism and appetite, so our bodies rely on it to shed extra pounds.
