Did you know the recommended amount of tomatoes is 4 per day? Consuming tomatoes lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, confirming the health properties of what heart-healthy Italians have been enjoying for centuries.
Tomatoes are so effective at lowering blood pressure because they contain lycopene. Other antioxidants found in tomatoes make this superfood number one in the prevention of heart disease. It can also help to keep LDL cholesterol from oxidizing. Tomatoes also enhance your skin’s fairness and firmness.
It can be difficult to consume four whole tomatoes each day which is the recommended amount. Here are some ways to get the benefits of tomatoes without having to eat them straight off the vine.
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Make Chili
Use tomato puree as the base for your chilli utilizes the antioxidants without the bulk of a whole tomato. Add some high protein ground meat and kidney beans with minced garlic and onions. Add also cayenne pepper and you have a heart-healthy main course and a full day’s allowance of tomato.
Make pasta sauce.
Using olive oil with tomatoes enhances its curative quality. Make your pasta sauce red with tomatoes, tomato paste and olive oil to sauté the garlic and onion. Tomato paste used in making sauce contains more than 10 times the nutrients of a single tomato.
Put tomatoes in your salad.
Have a fresh salad as a side dish or entrees. Cut one whole tomato on top and you’ll get one-quarter of your tomato intake right there.
Drink tomato juice.
It is better to make your own fresh juice so that you can control the sodium. Store bought juices can be high in sugar and sodium-based preservatives. If you have a juicer, you can make some incredible veggie juices to suit your own tastes. You can add carrots, celery and some low-sodium seasonings.
Take a tomato supplement.
If you just can’t stomach tomatoes, try taking a supplement which can provide the equivalent of more than the recommended four tomatoes.
Adding tomatoes to your diet can reduce systolic blood pressure by 10 points and diastolic pressure by 4 points. Whatever way you slice it, tomatoes will strengthen your immune system. And it will lower blood pressure.
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