The Benefits and properties of tree tomato For health are abundant: prevents aging, provide proteins, are sources of carbohydrates, prevents constipation, provides vitamin B and iron, and others that will comment later.
The tree tomato is the fruit of a shrub of 3 to 4 meters of height, with gray bark and perennial foliage that belongs to the species Solanum betaceum Of the Solanaceae family. The fruit is ovoid of 4 to 10 cm long x 3 to 5 cm wide.
It presents a smooth shell with generally red or orange color when it is ripe. The pulp is juicy and acidic, with numerous seeds.
Nutritional properties
For every 100 grams the tomato of tree alone contributes 35 Kcal. In general it provides a great variety of nutrients iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamins A, C, B 6 And E.
Although the composition of the tree tomato depends on where it is cultivated, in the following table we summarize some of its components published in a work of the University of Agriculture of Sweden. Compared with tree tomatoes planted in Ecuador and planted in Spain.
| Parameter | Ecuador | Spain |
| Humidity% | 86 | 88 |
| Protein% | 2.4 | 2.5 |
| Grease% | 0.72 | 0.05 |
| Glucose% | 1.7 | 0.5 |
| Fructose% | 1.6 | 0.7 |
| Sucrose% | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Citric acid % | 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Malic acid% | 0.32 | 0.07 |
| Potassium mg / 100g | 398 | 440 |
| Calcium mg / 100g | 25 | eleven |
| Magnesium mg / 100g | 16 | 22 |
| Iron mg / 100g | 0.22 | 0.6 |
| Copper mg / 100g | 0.08 | 0.2 |
| Zinc mg / 100g | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Sodium mg / 100g | 0.6 | 4.96 |
| PH | 3.5 | 3.2 |
It is also high on pectin , Low in calories and has pigments such as anthocyanins, flavones, and leucoanthocyanins, with delphinidin-3-rutinoside being the most representative anthocyanin.
Health Benefits of Tree Tomato
1- It is anti-cancerous and anti-inflammatory
Tree tomato contains a variety of antioxidants such as vitamin C, β-carotene, anthocyanins and vitamin E.
Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducted free radical neutralization tests with tree tomato extracts and found that it significantly neutralizes free radicals, regardless of where they have been grown.
These tree tomato data as an antioxidant place it as a good anti-inflammatory and anticancer.
2- Provides protein to the diet
Proteins are macromolecules from which we acquire the essential amino acids for the generation of new tissues. They also constitute the raw material for the generation of hormones, digestive enzymes, hemoglobin, vitamins and plasma proteins.
Although the tree tomato alone provides about 100 grams approximately 2.5 grams of protein, it can be a good complement to a salad accompanied with a serving of meat.
The required daily values of protein vary according to the age between men and women, but generally after 19 years women need 46 g daily and men 56 g daily.
3- It provides vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that contributes to the growth, maintenance and repair functions of the bone system.
It also contributes to the cellular development related to the eyes, mucous membranes, epithelia, skin, nails, hair and tooth enamel. Further, Is involved in glucose homeostasis and lipids.
5- It provides vitamin B 6
Vitamin B6 - or pyridoxine - promotes the formation of red blood cells, blood cells and hormones. It participates in the synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and collaborates in the maintenance of the nervous and immune systems, participating indirectly in the production of antibodies.
Pyridoxine reduces levels of Estrogen , Relieving symptoms prior to menstruation.
It also stabilizes blood sugar levels during pregnancy. It also prevents the formation of stones or calcium oxalate stones in the kidney.
Values of vitamin B 6 Generally recommended in adults is 19 to 50 years are 1.3 mg per day
6- Contribute iron to the diet
Iron is indispensable for the formation of red blood cells, and the formation of hemoglobin, the protein responsible for the absorption of oxygen in the blood.
Its deficiency translates into anemia, muscle weakness and fatigue.
7- Improves bone and dental health
Magnesium is essential for health. It contributes to the good functioning of the skeletal muscles, the heart and the brain, favoring the transmission of the nerve impulses, the contraction and relaxation of the muscles.
In this muscular process intervenes with the calcium to the good muscular-skeletal functioning.
The presence of magnesium also favors the strengthening of the bone system and the denture, and is very convenient for the cardiovascular system. Helps maintain stable heart rate and blood pressure, protecting the walls of blood vessels and acting as a vasodilator, thus preventing the formation of clots. It also increases White blood cells For the benefit of the immune system.
An interesting fact is that the lack of magnesium can generate Carcinogenesis And metastasis, since it is necessary as a cofactor of DNA repair enzymes.
However, it is also known that in tumor cells there is a high concentration of magnesium because of its high DNA replication.
The amount of magnesium varies between men and women but in general terms, in adults between 19 and 50 years of age, women need to consume 320 mg / day and men 420 mg / day.
8- Provides zinc
Zinc is a mineral that plays a central role in many biological processes such as the action of enzymes, gene expression and cellular signaling.
It is required for more than 200 transcription factors (molecules that transcribe genetic information) and 300 enzymes among which they participate as antioxidants.
The amount of zinc varies between men and women but overall in adults, over 19 years, women need to consume 8 mg a day while men need 11 mg a day.
9- It contributes potassium
It has been estimated that potassium is one of the 4 essential minerals in people's diet.
This mineral is extremely important in regulating water in blood and tissues. Potassium along with sodium generate the electrical potential that propitiates the muscular contractions and the nervous impulse, with special relevance in the cardiac activity.
Overall, the recommended daily intake of potassium in adults is 4700 mg daily.
10- It contributes copper
Copper is also a cofactor of several enzymes. Its deficiency is very rare since very low amounts of this mineral (around 900 μg / day) are needed.
11- Provides malic acid
Malic acid is a dicarboxylic acid found in many vegetables and fruits generally acidic, although it is also produced by the human body.
Malic acid-based dietary supplements are now being marketed for their great benefits, as this molecule is involved in the metabolism of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bypass.
As stated above, malic acid is used to treat people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
This acid also stimulates the production of saliva and can act as an oral antiseptic. Also, malic acid is a chelator (a metal scavenger such as calcium or magnesium), which can help detoxify the body.
11- Provides pectin
Pectin is a group of heterogeneous polysaccharides that in the digestive tract function as soluble dietary fiber. This type of diet is fermented by microorganisms, which generates gases in our intestine and decreases the consistency of our feces.
However, this type of fiber favors the growth of bacterial flora and decreases the absorption of high glycemic index lipids and sugars.
Curiosities of the tree tomato
- Tomatillo is native to Ecuador and Peru but is also grown in New Zealand where it is known as tamarillo.
- The potato and the eggplant also belong to the family Solanaceae.
- In traditional Ecuadorian medicine is used as anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory.
- It provides practically all the minerals we need except for selenium and iodine.
conclusion
Tree tomato is an excellent food because it has an enormous amount of biomolecules that are essential for health and are part of our daily nutritional requirements.
A great advantage that has the tree tomato is that it only contributes 35 Kcal per 100 g. This means that consuming one kilogram of tomato tree would be contributing 350 Kcal to our daily diet, a very low amount compared to other fruits.
Thus, the low calorific value contrasted with its high amount of nutrients, make that the tree tomato is an excellent food.
References
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