They are required to maintain health and normal body functions and to prevent the diseases that result from consuming insufficient amounts. Vitamin A is essential for vision, normal growth, reproduction and a healthy immune system. Vitamin C is also involved in bone health and in regulating blood pressure. The source of vitamin A activity in tomatoes. Carotenoids are plant pigments, responsible for the bright rosy color of tomatoes.
Carotenoids are fat-soluble, which means they are better absorbed in the presence of oil or fat.
The carotenoid in tomatoes with the most vitamin A activity. Once thought to be a major player in cancer prevention, recent scientific studies show less encouraging results, possibly because beta-carotene was studied alone rather than in association with other vitamins and antioxidants. There is growing scientific evidence that a diet high in antioxidants may protect against certain chronic diseases, such as cancer, coronary heart disease, and cataracts. Hundreds of substances produced naturally by plants to protect themselves from disease. Their exact roles in promoting human health are still under investigation, but many have antioxidant activity.