By Dr Renita D’SouzaTomato is a well-known versatile vegetable with high nutritive value. It is beneficial to health and prevent lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, stroke, cancer etc. The 2 edible species of tomato are the ‘Current tomato’ (Solanum pimpinellifolium) and the ‘Cherry tomato’ (Solanum lycopersicum var cesariforme). Its leaves contain toxic alkaloid thus only fruit is edible. Lycopene is a carotenoid which is naturally found in tomatoes act as an antioxidant, anticancer, antiaging and anti-inflammatory agent. (A)Read – Eggplant – Uses, Remedies, Qualities, Recipes, Research
Botanical Name – Solanum lycopersicumSynonyms – Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L. H. Karst.)Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.)Family – Solanaceae
‘Tomato’ MeaningThe term ‘tomato’ is said to be originated from the Nahautl (Aztecan) word ‘tomatl’ meaning – “the swelling fruit”
Botanical Description
Solanum lycopersicum plants are vine growing 6 feet or more. Leaves are hairy, compound, 10 -25 cm long, each leaflet is 8 cm long. Flowers are 5 petaled and yellow in color. Fruits are berry, globe shaped, red in color when ripe.
DistributionSolanum lycopersicum is native to Mexico and found cultivated in many parts of IndiaRead – Dioscorea bulbifera – Air Potato Uses, Research, Side Effects
Pharmacological Activities
Solanum lycopersicum possess Anthelmintic, Anti-Inflammatory, Anticarcinogenic, Antioxidants, Platelet Anti-Aggregation Activity, Antifungal activity, Antimutagenic, Hepatoprotective, Antibacterial, Analgesic and Adaptogenic effects. (F)
Medicinal Uses
HypercholesterolemiaDiabetesDysenteryVasodilatationBurnsItchingUlcersBack painHeadachesGoutSciaticaSkin and Hair careRheumatic painChest pinHusky voice
Traditional Uses
RheumatismInfluenzaSevere aching pains all over bodyHay-feverFrequent urinationProfuse watery diarrhoea.Head, eye, nose, heart problemsRead – Flacourtia indica – Governor’s plum Uses, Dose, Research
Part Used
Fruit
Remedies
Fresh juice extract of tomato is used to stop excessive bleeding from the wounds.
Fresh tomato juice is used to induce vomiting in children in case of food poisoning.
Externally fruit juice is used to treat furuncles, scorpion and other insect bites. It is also used to bring down body temperature
Fresh tomatoes are also used in pregnant women to treat oedema.
Fruits are used as purgative and acts as good digestive.
Tomato sauces and puree are said to help lower urinary tract symptoms.
Half ripe tomatoes are used to treat dyspepsia and summer diarrhoea.Read – Jamun Benefits, Usage, Dose, Side Effects – Complete Ayurveda Details
Benefits
Presence of Vitamin A and carotenoids in tomatoes promote vision improvement, bone growth and functioning of cells and reproduction. It helps to prevent development of night blindness. The studies have shown that the lycopene carotenoid present in tomatoes possess antioxidant and cancer preventing properties.
Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids in tomatoes help to strengthen immune system, bones, teeth and capillaries. It promotes growth and repair of body tissues. It is also beneficial in healing wounds, repair cartilage and strengthen other connective tissues.
Vitamin E in tomatoes show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity in the body.
Vitamin B complex is used to lower blood cholesterol, tissue growth and maintain neurological health.
Research studies have found that eating cooked tomatoes provide protection against prostate cancer.
Tomatoes are also a good source of Potassium. Studies have shown that diet rich in potassium help to lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Tomato helps in preventing excessive clumping of platelet cells and thus supports cardiovascular health.
Anticancer activity – Lycopene content in tomato have proven to be beneficial in cancers of lung, stomach and prostate gland.
Diabetes – Tomatoes helps to keep the blood sugar level under control. It is also beneficial in reducing the cardiovascular risk associated with Type 2 diabetes.
Antiaging – Presence of lycopene makes it good for skin
Many research studies conducted have shown that tomatoes might be strongly protective against some neurodegenerative diseases.
Presence of sulphur in tomatoes helps to protect liver from cirrhosis. (E)Read – Apple Benefits, Qualities, Remedies, Research
Chemical constituents
Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitaminB1, folate, niacin, potassium, phosphorus, Sodium, Manganese, Iron, Copper and secondary metabolites such as Flavonones: Naringenin ,chalconaringenin; Flavonols: Rutin, kaempferol, quercetin; Hydroxycinnamic acids: Caffeic acid, ferulic acid coumaric acid; Carotenoids: Lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene; Glycosides: Esculeoside A; Fatty acid derivatives: 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid. (B, C)
Viruddha Ahara
Wrong food combination with TomatoUnripe tomatoes or potatoes and alcohol
The unripe green tomatoes contain huge amount of solanine, which may interact with alcohol. You may feel more sedation if the intake is more. (H)Read – Bad Food Combinations and Solution as Per Ayurveda
Research
Anticancer Activity – A research study ‘Anticarcinogenic Effects of Solanum lycopersicum Fruit Extract on Swiss Albino and C57 Bl Mice’ have showed protective potential of Solanum lycopersicum against skin tumors.
Antibacterial Activity – A study conducted to investigate antibacterial activity of aqueous extract Solanum lycopersicum against Gram negative pathogenic bacteria showed that aqueous extract of tomato have maximum antimicrobial activity when diluted with honey than diluted with distil water.
Vernacular Names
English Name – TomatoHindi Name – TamatarBenali Name – TametoGujarati Name – TametamPunjabi Name – TamatarKashmiri Name – RuwangumKannada Name – TomayatoMalayalam Name – TakkaliMarathi Name – TometoKonkanni – TomatoTamil Name – TakkaliTelugu Name – TomatosItalian Name – PomodoroNahuatl – xictomatlRussian Name – TomatSpanish Name – TomateTurkish Name – DomatesRead – Pomelo (Chakotra) – Uses, Qualities, Remedies, Side Effects, Research
Scientific Classification
Kingdom – PlantaePhylum- AngiospermsOrder – SolanalesFamily – SolanaceaeGenus – SolanumSpecies – lycopersicumClick to Consult Dr Renita D’Souza
Are tomatoes unhealthy?
I learned that tomato fruit is not recommended by Ayurveda because it increases all doshas. Is this correct?Dr JV Hebbar Certain types of foods are unhealthy and they increase all 3 doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha and cause diseases. For example: poison, contaminated foods, refrigerated foods, aerated drinks in large quantities, drugs, smoking, excess alcohol etc. Our humble tomato does not fall in this category. So, no 🙂 Tomato is not bad for health and it does not increase all doshas. There is a myth that the tomato seeds cause kidney stones due to oxalate content. It is true that, in a patient with kidney stones, it is a good idea to avoid excess tomato seeds. But for a normal person, there is no need to slice out and discard the tomato seeds.
