Guest guest Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Very good article on tomatoes and tomato sauce. http://www.townsendletter.com/Jan2006/tomato0106.htm The Tomato is Better Cooked The wonderful thing about the tomato is the many different culinary ways it can be used. It is widely used in salads, sauces, soups, and is the base of one of America's favorite condiments, ketchup. The tomato is without a doubt one of America's favorite health foods. Considering the amount of tomato lycopene consumed in the form of ketchup and pizza sauce, it makes one wonder what our rate of heart disease and cancer would be without this food.1,37 The amount of beneficial nutrients in the tomato is significant with liberal consumption of tomato-based products. It seems the best way to obtain the benefits is through more concentrated and cooked forms of the tomato. The Mediterranean diet includes high amounts of these foods. For example, Italians are known for their love of tomato sauce. They use it as a dip, on pastas, in salads and even as soup. Tomato sauce may be the perfect way to obtain the beneficial lycopene and other compounds from the tomato. Research shows lycopene to be most abundant in tomato sauces and pastes.30 In addition, the slow cooking process of tomato sauce further enhances the concentration and absorption of the tomato's lycopene and other nutrients.14 Healthy oils, such as olive oil added to traditional sauces also aid in the absorption and utilization of the tomato lycopene and other carotenoids.3,4 Rarely do we find a healthier, more economical means of protecting health than with tomato sauce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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