Tomatoes are also known as Lycopersicon Lycopersicum, they are grown from a plant or vine in the North, South and Central Americas. The plants don't live too long so you have to pick them when you can before the plant dies. The tomato is long confused as a vegetable but in fact it is a fruit.
The fruit is a vibrant red and sometimes green depending on the ripeness. The green tomatoes are a southern favorite called Fried Green Tomatoes. Tomatoes contain the ingredient lycopene; this is an enzyme that is said to be able to reduce the risk of heart attacks in people who eat many tomatoes.
The tomato is an antioxidant and is also said to lower the risk of prostate cancer. The tomatoes work better when they are cooked rather than when they are raw. Tomatoes are big ingredients in Italian food and some Middle Eastern foods. Tomatoes have a lot of acid in them and one good way to neutralize the acid is by adding a pinch or two of sugar.
The nutritional value of the tomato is, 97% water, it has 11 calories, and it has 140 mg of vitamin A and 15 mg of vitamin C. Tomatoes can be found in Tomato paste, Tomato pie, Ketchup, Pizza and Tomato sauce. If you can try to eat some type of tomato product a day, it very well may improve your health.
