Health Benefits of Tomato

Red tomatoes are rich in antioxidant lycopene, a phytonutrient that gives tomatoes its rich red colour. Consumption of lycopene promotes skin health. Tomatoes contain antioxidant vitamins, Vitamin A and Vitamin C; both of them are required to protect body cells from free radical damage and thus prevent cancer cell formation. Tomatoes are rich in potassium and low in sodium. High potassium to sodium ratio is critical in reducing blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure prevents occurrence of stroke and heart attack. Potassium has vasodilation effect (i.e. causes the walls of the blood vessels to relax).

Tomatoes are water-rich and hence keep our body hydrated all the times, thus helps in regulating bowel movement and digestion process. Tomatoes are also rich in dietary fibre and hence prevent constipation. Ripe red tomatoes are rich in folate which is essential for preventing birth defects in new born babies. Tomatoes may also be consumed as a mood-enhancing vegetable.

Health Benefits of Onion

Onions are rich in antioxidants particularly quercetin which protects body cells from free radical damage. It is also rich in sulphur compounds such as allium propyl disulphide, which imparts onions its pungent flavour. Some researchers suggest that these sulphur compounds present in onions and garlics prevent cancer cell formation by preventing formation of free radicals. That is, onions and garlics have anti-cancer properties, particularly it prevents colorectal and stomach cancers.

It is also antiviral. Consuming onions and garlics on a daily basis prevent occurrence of common cold and flu.  Onion promotes action of healthy intestinal flora and thus helps in aiding digestion process. Some researchers suggest that consuming onions on a daily basis improves sleep and mood as onions prevent depression by preventing excess homocysteine formation within the body. Excess amounts of homocysteine may prevent blood reaching from brain and may also interfere with the production of hormones serotonin (called happiness hormone), dopamine (called feel-good hormone), and norepinephrine (called mood-enhancing hormone).