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NUTRITION
Tomatoes 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
Written by Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN (Ice) on March 25, 2019
Nutrition
Vitamins & minerals
Plant compounds
Benefits
Ripening
Side effects
Bottom line
The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a fruit from the nightshade family native to South America.
Despite botanically being a fruit, it’s generally eaten and prepared like a vegetable.
Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.
Usually red when mature, tomatoes can also come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, green, and purple. What’s more, many subspecies of tomatoes exist with different shapes and flavor.
This article tells you everything you need to know about tomatoes.
