Of course, we ve known for a long time that tomatoes are a healthy food, but new studies indicate that tomatoes may also help prevent some diseases. Botanically, tomatoes are a fruit, and belong to the deadly nightshade family. But tomatoes didn t become widely used by the rest of the world until the early 1800 s. Loaded with vitamins and disease fighting phytochemicals like lycopene, tomatoes are also a good source of fiber, have no fat, sodium or cholesterol, and have a mere 35 calories per medium tomato. Recent medical research suggests that lycopene, the component that makes tomatoes red, may prevent cancer.
Lycopenes are a part of the family of pigments called cartenoids.
Cartenoids are what create the colors in fruits and vegetables. Beta carotene is the orange pigment in carrots. Like with essential amino acids, these compounds are not made in the human body. Research indicates that lycopenes are the most powerful antioxidant in the cartenoid family. Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals.