How Eating Tomatoes helps overall health now they can Lower Stroke Risk
This is very nice study that shows how the tomatoes are good for heart stroke. Here are some other health benefits of eating tomatoes.
Protect prostate cancer
Studies show that eating tomatoes reduce the risk of many cancers, and prostate cancer in particular. In study from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, animals on an energy-restricted, tomato-based diet showed a 32% drop in their risk of dying from prostate cancer. Credit goes to antioxidant lycopene working together with other phytonutrient compounds in tomatoes.
Anti-inflammatory
The overproduction of free radicals within cells boosts inflammatory compounds. These compounds promote virtually all chronic degenerative diseases, including atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease along with various cancers. High amounts of antioxidants lycopene and beta-carotene in tomatoes neutralize free radicals and help reduce inflammation.
Regulate blood sugar
Tomatoes are a good source of chromium, which has been shown to help diabetic patients keep their blood sugar levels under control.
Tomatoes counteract acidosis
Acidosis, according to the medical community, is a common cause of calcium loss, fatigue, headaches, sleeplessness, muscle aches, acne, eczema, arteriosclerosis, sexual dysfunction, hormone imbalance, depression, and many degenerative conditions. Our bodies are designed to maintain an alkaline balance with a pH of 7.365. Yet diet and poor exercise habits mean our bodies are over-acidified. By including plenty of alkaline minerals in our diets – calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium – we help our body maintain its alkaline balance naturally. Tomatoes are excellent sources of calcium, magnesium, and potassium and can aid in preventing acidosis.
Reduce migraines
Tomatoes are a good source of riboflavin, which has been shown to be helpful for reducing the frequency of migraine attacks.
Natural sunscreen
Researchers at the University of Dusseldorf (Germany) observed subjects who consumed tomato paste for a minimum of 10 weeks. Absorption of UV rays was 40% lower than subjects in the control group, showing lycopene in tomatoes works as a natural sunscreen and provide protection against UV rays.
Tomatoes strengthen bones
A serving of tomatoes provide 18% the daily value for vitamin K, which promotes bone health. Vitamin K activates osteocalcin, the major non-collagen protein in bone. Osteocalcin mineralizes calcium molecules inside of the bone. In other words, vitamin K in tomatoes helps osteocalcin do its work to harden calcium and make bones strong.
Tomatoes benefit eyesight
Vitamin A is essential to maintaining the health of the retina. Its deficiency contributes to the development of night blindness. A one cup serving of fresh tomatoes provides 30% DV of vitamin A, a high concentration which prevents necessary shortage and promotes eye health.
Tomatoes boost immunity
Tomatoes have been credited by experts with helping to avoid flu and colds, especially for males. According to the medical community, these common illnesses are widely believed to be rooted in carotenoid deficiencies, including low amounts of lycopene and beta carotene in a patient’s system. Drinking tomato juices assists in building defenses against colds and flu.
Tomatoes help lower cholesterol
Since a tomato has 0 grams of cholesterol, it doesn’t add cholesterol to the diet. Plus, a cup of fresh tomato provides 9% of the DV for fiber, which has been shown to lower high cholesterol levels. Tomatoes are also a good source of niacin (vitamin B3), which has been used for years as a safe way to lower high cholesterol levels.
Tomatoes reduce the risk of heart disease
Tomatoes are a very good source of potassium. Diets rich in potassium have been shown to lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Vitamin B6 and folate, each present in tomatoes in good amounts, are both needed by the body to convert a potentially dangerous chemical called homocysteine into other, benign molecules. High levels of homocysteine can directly damage blood vessel walls and are associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Tomatoes help lower blood pressure
In clinical research conducted by Dr. Esther Paran, M.D. at Ben Gurion University (Beersheva, Israel), tomatoes were linked with a significant drop in blood pressure. After 8 weeks, ongoing tracking of daily tomato ingestion (in the form of lycopene complex – a tomato extract) showed a drop in both the blood pressure top number (systolic) by 10 points and the bottom number (diastolic) by 4 points.
Tomatoes provide antioxidant protection from cell damage
Nutrition experts agree: tomatoes are an outstanding source of the antioxidant lycopene. Antioxidants travel through the body, neutralizing dangerous free radicals that could otherwise damage cells and cell membranes. Free radicals escalate the progression or severity of atherosclerosis, diabetic complications, asthma, and colon cancer. High intakes of lycopene have been shown to help reduce the risk or severity of all of these illnesses.
What is stroke?
A stroke is a condition in which the brain cells suddenly die because of a lack of oxygen. This can be caused by an obstruction in the blood flow, or the rupture of an artery that feeds the brain. The patient may suddenly lose the ability to speak, there may be memory problems, or one side of the body can become paralyzed.
The two main types of stroke include ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke.
Ischemic stroke
This accounts for about three-quarters of all strokes and occurs when a blood clot, or thrombus, forms that blocks blood flow to part of the brain. If a blood clot forms somewhere in the body and breaks off to become free-floating, it is called an embolus. This wandering clot may be carried through the bloodstream to the brain where it can cause ischemic stroke.
A hemorrhagic stroke
This occurs when a blood vessel on the brain's surface ruptures and fills the space between the brain and skull with blood (subarachnoid hemorrhage) or when a defective artery in the brain bursts and fills the surrounding tissue with blood (cerebral hemorrhage).
What causes stroke?
Ischemic strokes
These are ultimately caused by a thrombus or embolus that blocks blood flow to the brain. Blood clots (thrombus clots) usually occur in areas of the arteries that have been damaged by atherosclerosis from a buildup of plaques. Embolus type blood clots are often caused by atrial fibrillation - an irregular pattern of heart beat that leads to blood clot formation and poor blood flow.
Hemorrhage strokes
These can be caused by uncontrolled high blood pressure, a head injury, or aneurysms. High blood pressure is the most common cause of cerebral hemorrhage, as it causes small arteries inside the brain to burst. This deprives brain cells of blood and dangerously increases pressure on the brain.
What are the symptoms of stroke?
Within a few minutes of having a stroke, brain cells begin to die and symptoms can become present. It is important to recognize symptoms, as prompt treatment is crucial to recovery. Common symptoms include:
Dizziness, trouble walking, loss of balance and coordination
Speech problems
Numbness, weakness, or paralysis on one side of the body
Blurred, blackened, or double vision
Sudden severe headache
How can stroke be prevented?
One way to prevent a stroke is to notice a transient ischemic attack (TIA) - or mini stroke - that provides symptoms similar to stroke. Knowing the symptoms of stroke can lead to earlier treatment and better recovery.
Much of stroke prevention is based on living a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
Knowing and controlling blood pressure
Finding out if you have atrial fibrillation
Not smoking
Lowering cholesterol, sodium, and fat intake
Following a healthy diet
Drinking alcohol only in moderation
Treating diabetes properly
Exercising regularly. Moderate aerobic fitness can reduce stroke risk, a study found.
Managing stress
Not using drugs
A study found that drinking three cups of tea per day reduces the risk of stroke
Taking preventive medications such as anti-platelet and anticoagulant drugs to prevent blood clots
Cholesterol lowering drugs can prevent stroke recurrence
If you eat plenty of tomatoes your risk of having a stroke will probably be lower, scientists from the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio revealed in the October 9th issue of Neurology. The authors added that lycopene, an antioxidant in tomatoes, appears to have the stroke-prevention benefits. Several studies have been carried out on tomatoes and many have found that they do have significant health benefits. In 2011, scientists from the National Center for Food Safety & Technology said that eating more tomatoes may protect from developing cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases.
The researchers found that individuals with the highest blood concentrations of lycopene had a 55% lower risk of developing a stroke, compared to those with the lowest concentrations. Study author Jouni Karppi PhD and team set out to determine what impact lycopene blood levels might have on stroke risk. They recruited 1,031 Finnish men aged between 46 and 65 years. Their lycopene blood concentrations were tested when the study began, and then periodically for an average of 12 years. Over the 12-year period, sixty-seven of the men suffered a stroke.
Among the 258 men with the lowest lycopene blood concentrations, 25 had a stroke, while among the 259 with the highest concentrations 11 had a stroke.
New Research- Tomatoes Lower Stroke Risk
The link between high lycopene blood levels and lower stroke risk was even stronger when the scientists focused just on strokes due to blood clots (ischemic strokes). The men with the highest lycopene blood leves had a 59% lower risk of ischemic stroke compared to those with the lowest levels. Karppi said, This study adds to the evidence that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of stroke. The results support the recommendation that people get more than five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, which would likely lead to a major reduction in the number of strokes worldwide, according to previous research."
Retinol, alpha-tocopherol, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, also antioxidants, had no impact on stroke risk, the researchers noted.
What is lycopene?
Lycopene is a red carotenoid pigment which is found mainly in tomatoes that gives the fruit its color. Lycopene can also be found in some other fruits, such as watermelon, pink grapefruit, pink guava, papaya, and apricot. Lycopene is an antioxidant. Many say that it promotes a healthy heart and reduces the risk of developing cancer. In 2011, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago said that lycopene could help prevent prostate cancer, especially in African American men. Japanese scientists found that tomatoes contain a nutrient which could tackle the onset of vascular diseases.
(Source- Neurology)
