Are green tomatoes healthy?
Green tomatoes can be used in a variety of different recipes due to their solid texture and consistency. Some examples of these foods include chutney, pickles, fried curries, and salsa. You have probably noticed that your neighbourhood vegetable vendor sells tomatoes that have a greenish hue, particularly during the colder months of the year.
This seasonal kind of tomato is a superb savoury staple that can be used to construct a wide variety of mouthwatering curries and chutneys. They are available only for a limited time each year.
But do they also have a healthy lifestyle? In order to get an answer to this question, we inquired about it with several professionals to find out whether or not green tomatoes should be included in our meals during this time of the year.
Because green tomatoes have a solid texture and consistency, they can be used in a variety of meals. Some examples are chutney, pickles, fried curries, and salsa. According to Garima Goyal, a qualified dietitian, “green tomatoes, like all other coloured fruits and vegetables, are also a rich source of antioxidants.”
It is therefore not surprising that a food therapist by the name of Dr Ria Banerjee Ankola has just lately posted a recipe for green tomato chutney on Instagram. “Green tomatoes are very delicious, plus they are packed full of vitamin C. Therefore, don’t pass them up,” she said.
Recipe to make green tomato chutney
Ingredients
- 2 – Fresh green tomatoes
- Garlic
- Coriander leaves
- Green chilli
- Lemon juice
- Himalayan pink salt
Method
*Mix all of the ingredients together in a blender. Squeeze some lemon juice. Enjoy.
Why should you have green tomatoes?
According to Dr Priya Palan, a nutritionist at Zen Multispecialty Hospital in Chembur, green tomatoes have a number of advantages, including the following:
Boost immunity: They are chock full of vitamin C, which helps to fortify the immune system and fight off a variety of ailments, including the common cold. Additionally, the body is better able to absorb iron from plant-based foods when vitamin C is present. Goyal, who was in agreement with this statement, went on to say that because green tomatoes have a significant amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, and phytochemicals, they are beneficial in the battle against disease and oxidative damage.
Gut-friendly: They are excellent sources of fibre, which is important for maintaining a healthy digestive tract, avoiding constipation, and lowering one’s risk of developing cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus. Goyal continued by saying, “Both the seeds and the peel of green tomatoes are excellent sources of dietary fibre.” These dietary fibres are not digested in the stomach, but they do contribute to the development of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Improve vision: The green tomatoes’ beta carotene contributes to the production of vitamin A, which is necessary for maintaining healthy eyes.
Lower blood pressure: Tomatoes that are still green are an excellent source of the mineral potassium, which works to balance out the effects of sodium and contributes to a reduction in blood pressure. According to Goyal, eating green tomatoes can help reduce the risk of heart disease by decreasing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad cholesterol,” in the blood vessel. This in turn lowers the risk of developing heart disease.
Good for skin: It expedites the healing process and encourages the appearance of younger, healthier, and more radiant skin.
Fights Against cancer: They include a high concentration of antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation and aid in the battle against pollutants. According to Goyal, “Evidence suggests that the presence of high amounts of tomatine, a bioactive molecule in green tomatoes assists in reducing the growth of malignant cells,” and this is supported by the fact that tomatine is found in green tomatoes.
Hydrate the body: Tomatoes are composed of 94 per cent water, which helps keep the body hydrated while also promoting a healthy appetite.
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