Tomato is a fruit and not a vegetable. In addition to its use as flavoring to many dishes, it can also provide many health benefits to our body. Aside from the fruit, tomato seeds are also packed with nutritional content that can potentially help prevent and treat various diseases.
Listed below are some of the amazing benefits possessed by the seeds of the tomato.
Helps Lower Blood Pressure
Found in tomato seeds are rich amounts of nutrients wherein one of them is potassium. This mineral relaxes the walls of the blood vessel, thereby maintaining blood pressure levels. Also, the complex content of lycopene present in the seeds acts as antioxidants that control our blood pressure.
Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Inflammation is one of the effects of free radicals in our body. Tomato seeds are rich in beta-carotene and lycopene which have anti-inflammatory properties that can help us overcome inflammation effectively.
Helps Strengthen The Immune System
Due to its richness in vitamin C, tomato seeds can help boost our immunity which helps us prevent various diseases such as flu, cold, influenza, and others. For this purpose, we need to consume a little amount of tomato seeds powder in our food such as soups.
Helps Promote Healthy Bones
Tomato seeds contain calcium and vitamin K that are both needed by our bones. Calcium improves our overall bone health while vitamin K helps strengthen bones. Aside from this, osteocalcin, an important nutrient contained in tomato seeds, also helps keep bones strong.
Potent Alternative For Aspirin
Aspirin is advised by doctors to be taken by individuals who suffer from high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems. Yes, it may provide some relief but taking it for a long period of time can cause side effects such as ulcers.
Tomato seeds have similar properties as of aspirin but are a healthier alternative. Consumption of tomato seeds can help improve an individual’s blood flow three hours after taking it.
Helps Normalize Cholesterol
Consumption of tomato seeds can help normalize the bad cholesterol levels of an individual. This effect is mainly due to its dietary fiber.
Helps Improve Skin Health
The vitamin C contained in tomato seeds acts as an antioxidant that combats the harmful effects of free radical which include wrinkles, and dark spots.
Helps Reduce Blood Clots
Because of the aspirin properties present in the seeds, it can help prevent the risk of blood clotting without the side effects of aspirin.
Helps Ward Off Cancer
According to studies, the lycopene content of tomato has cancer-protective effects that can help lower our risk for various types of cancer such as stomach, lung, and prostate cancer. Lycopene in seeds can be activated by cooking first the seeds.
Helps Improve Eyesight
The vitamin A content of tomato seeds helps nourish our eyes. It prevents the development of night blindness and may help slow the age-related decline of eyesight.
Good For Digestion
The dietary fiber and digestible amino acids present in the seeds aids in good digestion and maintains overall digestive health.
How To Add Tomato Seeds Into our Diet
- Dry the seeds and add it to salads.
- Incorporate the seeds into the food by scooping out the seeds from the flesh.
- Sprinkle some salt on the seeds and enjoy some tomato seed caviar
