I love Tomatoes!!! Do you?

This piece was born specifically to address the special circle of humans that pick out the ‘reddies’ from that Ham or Tuna sandwich, or even request outrightly that it be left out of a meal entirely.
Tomatoes! They’re sweet, juicy, and delicious. They have vitamin C. They’re low in calories. They’re fat-free. All these I’m sure you knew, but let’s look at those benefits you probably don’t know and what makes the tomato an excellent healthy choice.
Tomatoes make your skin look great. Beta-carotene, also found in carrots and sweet potatoes, helps protect skin against sun damage.     
• Tomatoes build strong bones. The vitamin K and calcium in tomatoes are both very good for strengthening and repairing bones.
• Tomatoes are a natural cancer fighter. Lycopene again!!! can reduce the risk of several cancers, including prostate, cervical, mouth, pharynx, throat, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectal, prostate and ovarian cancer. Tomatoes’ antioxidants (vitamins A and C) fight the free radicals which can cause cell damage.
• Tomatoes can keep your blood sugar in balance. Tomatoes are a very good source of chromium, which helps to regulate blood sugar.
• Tomatoes can improve your vision. The vitamin A that tomatoes provide can improve vision and help prevent night blindness.
• Tomatoes will even make your hair look better. The vitamin A found in tomatoes works to make hair strong and shiny.
• Tomatoes can help you lose weight. If you are on a sensible diet and exercise plan, build lots of tomatoes into your everyday eating. They make a great snack and can be used to “bulk up” salads, casseroles, sandwiches and other meals. Because tomatoes contain lots of water and fiber, they are what Weight Watchers calls a “filling food,” one of those foods that fill you up fast without adding a lot of calories.

Now it is important to note that stew, soups and sandwiches aren’t the only avenues to consume tomatoes.  Other avenues include:
• Tomatoes in salad (leave them at room temperature, if possible)
• Marinara or tomato sauces (canned, cooked, or homemade) on pasta; this can be big calorie savings when you swap out creamy sauces for tomato-based sauces
• Tomato juice or vegetable juice with tomatoes
• Tomatoes as mid-afternoon snack
• Serve stewed tomatoes over a baked potato (also great on mashed potatoes)
• Make your own salsa with lots of fresh tomato—salsa is a great replacement for high-fat salad dressings as well as being tasty on meats, fish, and eggs

It is important to remember these facts about tomatoes:
• Cooking the tomatoes helps the lycopene become fully released.
• Lycopene is fat soluble, so it helps to cook it in oil, such as olive oil.
• 'Eating tomato ketchup and pizza topping counts towards lycopene intake,' says Sian Porter.
• Ripe, red tomatoes are likely to contain more lycopene than paler, watery ones.

The Down Side
• Some people may be allergic to tomatoes; their body cannot absorb and digest them.
• In some individuals eating tomatoes in salads can lead to itching, hives and breathing problems.
• Lycopene intolerance can cause bloating of the stomach, pain and diarrhea.
• For some, eating tomatoes in any form can result in heart burn and reflux.
• When a person has a history of kidney stones, it would be wise to eat tomatoes in moderation as the high oxalate and calcium bind together and kidney stones are a result.
• Those diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome will need to go slow on consuming tomatoes.
• However, if eaten in moderation will not be harmful in anyway. The nutritional benefits are many so there is no reason to avoid this simple, cost effective and widely available fruit.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/9-Surprising-Health-Benefits-of-Tomatoes.aspx?b=1
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diet-and-nutrition/health-benefits-of-tomatoes.htm
http://www.tomatodirt.com/tomato-facts-health-benefits.html
http://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/health-benefits-of-tomato.htm