Cherry Tomato Nutrition Facts at Different Ripening Stages

Cherry tomato nutrition facts shows that average content of some classes of antioxidants is higher in cherry tomatoes than in normal-sized berries.

This article explains the nutritional value of cherry tomato by investigating the compositional pattern of berries harvested at different ripening stages and evaluating, in particular, all the main antioxidants (carotenoids, ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, and alpha-tocopherol) and the antioxidant activity of the water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions.

Cherry tomato Nutrition facts studies confirmed the relatively high level of carotenoids in cherry tomato but showed that not all biologically active compounds necessarily increase in tomatoes picked at later stages of ripeness, whereas, no significant differences in ascorbic acid content were observed at different ripening stages, while the main phenolics content and the antioxidant activity of water-soluble fraction showed slight, but significant, decreases at later stages of ripeness.

Cherry tomatoes at full ripeness shows the highest level of carotenoids and antioxidant activity in the water-insoluble fraction.

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Tomato Nutrition Facts

The tomato helps fight disease, not only thrills the taste buds and brightens the dinner table. Tomato nutrition facts shows that the tomato is an excellent source of vitamin C (one medium tomato provides 40% of the RDA) and a good source of vitamin A (20% of the RDA).

Tomato Nutrition Facts on Tomatos and Cell Damage

In a study on tomato nutrition facts, 10 healthy women ate a diet containing two ounces of tomato puree each day for three weeks, either preceded by or followed by a tomato-free diet for three weeks, and the researchers measured blood levels of lycopene and evaluated oxidative damage to cells before and after each phase.

They found that cell damage dropped by 33% to 42% after consuming the tomato diet!

Tomato Nutrition Facts on Lycopene

A review of 72 different studies showed consistently that the more tomatoes and tomato products people eat, the lower their risks of many different kinds of cancer. The secret may lie in lycopene, the chemical that makes tomatoes red, said Dr. Edward Giovannucci, Harvard School of Public Health, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Among the studies he reviewed, 57 showed that the more tomatoes one ate, the lower the risk of cancer. “The evidence for benefit was strongest for cancers of the prostate, lung, and stomach,” he reported.

Tomato Nutrition Facts on Getting more Lycopene

Processed tomatoes (e.g. canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, ketchup) contain even more lycopene because cooking breaks down cell walls, releasing and concentrating carotenoids. Eating tomatoes with a small amount of fat enables lycopene to be better absorbed.

On the minus side, as a nightshade relative, tomatoes contain glycoalkaloids, which some people believe contribute to arthritis symptoms. Research, however, has not backed this up.

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Eggplant Nutrition Facts

The nutritional value of eggplant is very high, as it is a rich source of many important nutrients essential for the human body.

Read on for more eggplant nutrition facts.

Eggplant Facts

You must be loving its deep glossy purple color, but do you really know about the eggplant nutrition facts?

Eggplants are round, oblong shaped vegetables, that are found in various colors like deep purple, white and lavender and at times even orange.

They are available all throughout the year in markets, but are best to be bought in between august and October because that’s when they are in season.

The eggplant, also known as the purple pear, belongs to the family of nightshade vegetables, known as ‘Solanaceae’.

Other members of this family include, tomatoes and bell peppers and the eggplant grows in a way, very similar to that of tomatoes.

Speaking of eggplant nutrition facts, one must know for a fact, that as compared to other vegetables, the nutritional value of an eggplant may not be that high.

However, it still contains some very essential nutrients and even some medicinal properties that, are highly beneficial for the human body.

Nutrition Facts of Eggplant

Eggplants are rich sources of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals and contain very less calories. This makes it an ideal component of the low fat diets and the diets of those working on weight loss. Other essential minerals contained in eggplant include potassium, manganese, magnesium and copper.

Eggplants are very important sources of phytonutrients, which is obtained from their deep purple color.

Phytonutrients

This is the most important nutrients that eggplants contain.

They contain phytonutrients like flavonoids, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid.

The flavonoid Nasunin in eggplants, has high levels of antioxidant properties and is known to be a scavenger of free radicals, thus protecting the cells of the body. Nasunin is also known for its ability to protect the fats surrounding the cell membrane of the brain.

The chlorogenic acid it contains is known to be the most potent antioxidant that displays antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor abilities and plays an important role in the prevention of many diseases.

Dietary Fiber

Eggplants provide dietary fiber in abundance which is essential for regulating and facilitating smooth bowel movements. The dietary fiber in eggplant also helps, lower blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. One cup serving of eggplant would contain approximately 10% of the recommended dietary fiber.

Vitamins

Eggplants contain vitamins like vitamin C and b-vitamins, but they are not very high in content.

One cup cooked serving of eggplant would contain approximately 2-5% of the recommended vitamin B1, vitamin B-3, vitamin B-6 and vitamin C.

Nicotine

A very interesting nutritional fact about eggplants are that they contain trace amounts of nicotine, which is absolutely harmless to the body.

The nicotine levels in eggplants are way less than that in cigarettes.

Potassium

One cup serving of eggplant contains around 3% of the recommended potassium intake.

The potassium in the eggplants is beneficial for those suffering from low blood pressure levels and it also regulates the beating of the heart.

Calories

Calories and fats are something, that the eggplant contains the least and this is what makes it a healthy component of daily diet.

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