The Health Benefits of Tomatoes, Gardening for Health and Wealth

Israel-based LycoRed has received a US patent for the atherosclerosis-inhibiting properties of its tomato extract, which the firm says adds to the network of support for its ingredient's heart health benefits.

The patent (US 7,351,746 B2) is based on research conducted on phytoene and phytofluene, which are carotenoids found in natural tomato extract.

According to the company's vice president of new product development and scientific affairs, Dr Zohar Nir, this research has demonstrated phytoene and phytofluene block the progression of atherosclerosis by inhibiting the deposition of plaque from oxidized LDL-cholesterol.

This effect was demonstrated through in vitro tests on the two compounds alone, together, and in combination with other natural tomato extract carotenoids, he said.

Dr Nir explained that although the patent was "significant" in protecting the company's intellectual property, this particular sector of heart health is not one that the company will focus on for the time being.

WELL isn't this just another Great reason to GROW YOUR own Tomatoes, Eat them regularly and be sure you put up TONS of Sauce.

There has been a controversy for quite a while about the "Health Benefits" of Lycopene and Tomatoes. It now seems the esteemed is at least recognizing the possible Benefits of Lycopene and Tomatoes. A spokesman for Lyco-Red, Dr Zohar Nir, feels the firm is working toward receiving botanical drug status for its product. This, he explained, would be "an official endorsement from FDA (the US Food and Drug Administration) of the efficacy of the product", and would help promote the product's success in the dietary supplement and functional food fields.

This will be great...

But those of us who enjoy Growing Tomatoes for Health and Wealth already knew the benefits and can feel more assured of the Economy of Involving in Sustainable Gardening
Improve our Health through Diet and Exercise, and enjoy the cash flow of selling the surplus.

Catch my Friend Gene's Blog about his production from Straw Bale Tomato Gardening

CLICK ON THE PICTURES

Well, if you do a Keyword search on Google, or any other Search engine, for Health Benefits of Tomatoes, you will get a ton of controversy.
What else is new.
Research indicates Lycopene helps in mitigating Prostate Cancer. Other research show no appreciable benefit.

There is no credible evidence that intake of lycopene, the pigment that gives tomatoes their bright red color, cuts the risk of any type of cancer, report Dr. Claudine Kavanaugh and colleagues of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, College Park, Maryland, in an article published online July 10 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

"No credible evidence" exists that tomatoes prevent lung, colorectal, breast, cervical or uterine cancers, the investigators state, while there is only "very limited evidence" that tomatoes can reduce the risk of prostate, ovarian, gastric and pancreatic cancer.

But the FDA's conclusions should not be interpreted as confirmation that tomatoes are not beneficial in warding off prostate cancer, Dr. Edward Giovannucci of the Harvard School of Public Health writes in an editorial accompanying the report.

"Although it may be premature to espouse increased consumption of tomato sauce or lycopene for prostate cancer prevention, this area of research remains promising," Giovannucci notes.

In his editorial, Giovannucci points out that today many prostate cancers are identified very early with the PSA test. Studies that supported a preventive effect of lycopene or tomatoes were largely done before the PSA era, or in countries where the PSA test isn't widely used, meaning the cancers involved were more advanced, he explains.
It's therefore possible, Giovannucci says, that tomatoes and lycopene could be helpful in preventing more advanced-stage cancer, but may have no effect on the earlier-stage, and more possibly benign, disease identified by PSA tests.

You may enjoy reading the following monograph, demonstrating the Hoops to go through to make a Health Claim on just about anything.
Lycopene.org

Most of these researches are the result of where the Funding wanted it to GO

I am usually not politically correct, nor am I a "qualified Scientist".

But I know if I continue to EAT fresh fruits and vegetables daily, as I have for 65 years, my chances of enjoying some more years are pretty good

HERE ARE SOME MORE INTERESTING FACTS

Tomatoes contain an abundance of nutrient and non-nutrient substances believed to be associated with certain health benefits.

This includes vitamins C, A, K, potassium, fiber and the phytochemical lycopene. Lycopene gives tomatoes their red color. The redder the tomato, the more lycopene it contains.
Deep red tomatoes contain the most lycopene, a yellow tomato has significantly less lycopene (if any), and a green tomato has no lycopene. Lycopene is fat soluble, which means that when tomatoes are consumed with small amounts of oil, the lycopene is more readily absorbed into the body, increasing the healthful effects of tomatoes.

Processed tomato products contain more nutrients than fresh tomatoes due to higher concentration levels in a small amount of product.

BUT don't STOP Eating Tons of Fresh Vine-ripened Tomatoes form your Garden!

In addition, certain substances in tomatoes (e.g., lycopene), when heated during processing or cooking, are more easily absorbed into the body.

Tomato components and their associated health benefits include:

*
Lycopene. A phytochemical that is classified as a type of carotenoid. It is responsible for the red color of tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. The redder a tomato is, the more lycopene it contains. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and may help reduce the risk of some cancers and cardiovascular disease. Unlike other carotenoids, lycopene is not converted into vitamin A by the body.

Lycopene is a fat soluble substance that is found in the blood and tissues of the testes, adrenal glands, liver, prostate, breast, colon and lungs. The precise activity of lycopene in the human body requires more study. Current scientific evidence about the association between lycopene and certain health benefits is mixed and remains controversial.

Tomato products contain higher concentrations of lycopene than any other plant source, although lycopene is available in other plant foods, such as watermelon, papaya, pink grapefruit and guava. Tomatoes and tomato products are the primary sources of lycopene for most people in the United States.

ANOTHER REASON TO EAT FRESH

* Vitamin C. An essential vitamin that also acts as an antioxidant. It may help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Vitamin C helps form connective tissue, keeps capillaries healthy to help prevent easy bruising, and keeps the gums healthy. It also helps the body access iron from non heme, or plant, sources.

* Vitamin A. An essential vitamin important in maintaining normal cellular growth. It aids in the development of healthy skin, hair and mucous membranes. It also aids proper vision, development of bones and teeth and reproduction. Tomatoes contain beta-carotene, a phytochemical that the body converts into vitamin A after it is consumed.

* Vitamin K. A vitamin important to maintain blood clotting, thus helping to prevent hemorrhaging (excessive, uncontrollable bleeding). Vitamin K is also important to maintain bone health through the act of mineralization. Vitamin K may be obtained from foods such as tomatoes, but may also be produced by bacteria in the intestines.

* Potassium. An essential mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and aids muscle contractions. It may reduce the risk of kidney stones and bone loss.

* Dietary fiber. The undigestible part of a plant. Fiber can aid digestion by preventing constipation).

In lesser quantities, tomatoes also include many more vitamins, minerals and other healthful substances. These include: various B vitamins (including folate), vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, tryptophan and protein.

One medium tomato (148 grams) contains the following proportion of recommended daily levels of certain nutrients, based on a 2,000-calorie/day diet:

Nutrients

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends consuming 3 to 5 servings (about 1 ½ to 2 ½ cups) of vegetables per day, based on a 2,000-calorie/day diet. When determining how many tomatoes or tomato products constitute a serving, the following guide may help:

*
4 ounces tomato juice = 1 serving
*
½ cup cooked tomato = 1 serving
*
1 medium-sized tomato = 1 serving
*
large salad = 2 to 4 servings

The healthful components of tomatoes may also be found in other food sources. For example, lycopene, the primary phytochemical found in tomatoes, can also be found (although in lesser quantities) in red/pink grapefruit, watermelon, papaya and guava. Vitamin C and beta-carotene are available in many different fruits and vegetables.

Percent Daily Value
Vitamin A = 20 percent
Vitamin C = 40 percent
Calcium = 2 percent
Iron = 2 percent
Dietary
fiber
(1 gram) = 4 percent
Total carbohydrates
(7 grams) = 2 percent
Total fat
(.5 grams)= 1 percent

WOW, all this goodness and the Health aspects of the exercise and lots of Vitamin D from being Outdoors Growing your Tomato Patrch

Lutein, Lycopene, Quercetin, Taurine, Beta Carotene, are primary antioxidants that prevent and slow down the progression of eye disease. The carotenoids lutein and lycopene also reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.