TOMATOES FOR VASCULAR DISEASE

Eat tomatoes to stave off vascular disease--study
by Neharika Sabharwal - January 24, 2011

Here's a new reason to add tomatoes to your grocery list. This fruit-cum-vegetable that tickles the taste buds and offers many health benefits is now being considered as a natural remedy to stave off vascular [pertaining to blood vessels] disease.

People who have high levels of lipids, such as fat, cholesterol, and triglycerides in the bloodstream are at an increased risk of the life threatening condition dyslipidemia, which can cause stroke and heart attacks due to blocked arteries.

According to Japanese researchers, a nutrient in tomato contains anti-dyslipidemic properties that have the potential to reduce the build up of lipids and tackle the onset of vascular [pertaining to blood vessels] disease.

Lead author of the study, Dr. Teruo Kawada from Kyoto University stated, "Dyslipidemia itself usually causes no symptoms. However, it can lead to symptomatic vascular diseases, such as arteriosclerosis and cirrhosis. In order to prevent these diseases it is important to prevent an increased build up of lipids."

Anti-dyslipidemia properties of tomatoes analyzed
Tomatoes contain many compounds that offer multiple health benefits. For the current study, the researchers focused on 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid.

An analysis of the compound extracted from tomatoes revealed it has anti- dyslipidemia properties that can help fight vascular diseases.

The tests found 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid has the potential to assist in the oxidation and breakdown of fatty acids, which can in turn regulate lipid metabolism in the liver.

Kawada stated, "Finding a compound which helps the prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases in foodstuffs is a great advantage to tackling these diseases.

"It means that the tomato allows people to easily manage the onset of dyslipidemia through their daily diet.

The study has been published in the journal 'Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.'

Other health benefits of tomatoes
Tomatoes, technically a fruit but classified as a vegetable is best known as a rich source of lycopene.

Lycopene refers to the red pigment present in tomatoes that gives them the red color. It is a powerful antioxidant that protects against certain types of cancers, improves memory and betters urinary tract health.

In addition, tomatoes are also low in calories, sugar, sodium, fat and are an excellent source of many essential vitamins and minerals.

Nicotinic acid in tomatoes helps in cases of congestion of liver as well as dissolving gallstones. Tomatoes are a natural antiseptic that helps fight various infections.

It is a good blood purifier and daily consumption of tomatoes helps in improving skin texture and color.

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin K and important to bone health. The fiber in tomatoes aids healthy digestion and helps to improve constipation. It is also known to aid weight loss.

Tomatoes contain lutein which may help prevent macular degeneration and to improve vision.

Research indicates, tomato has anti-clotting properties much like aspirin and reduces the risk of blood clots and stroke.

MY THOUGHTS

tomatoes here i come. i really like them, anyway.