Article By Vanessa Richins
Photo By ChiotsRun.com

Yes, tomatoes are spectacular indeed.

In addition to all the other health benefits they provide, a new study suggests that tomatoes could be a weight loss weapon.

It’s no secret that tomatoes should be part of a healthy diet already.

They’re full of vitamins, mineral, fiber and antioxidants. Tomatoes (especially when cooked) are a key source of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been shown to fight a number of health conditions. Tomatoes are also low in calories, a plus for any dieter.

However, the tomato may be poised to become a star in the weight loss world.

In this study, subjects were Read the rest of this entry »

By Michelle Fabio

Plant & Food Research, along with Lincoln University, is claiming that tomato sauce may actually be better than raw tomatoes if you want to add more lycopene to your diet.

The research suggests that lycopene is reduced only in small amounts when tomatoes are eaten raw, but processed tomatoes may actually make the lycopene easier to absorb and digest.

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant found naturally in tomatoes and other red-colored fruits and vegetables that reduces the amount of damage done to body cells by oxygen; it is believed to help prevent cancers, heart disease, and other illnesses.

Read the whole story: Forget tomatoes, try tomato sauce.

By Michelle Fabio

In honor of Heart-Healthy Awareness Month in February, Dei Fratelli is reminding its customers that many of its tomato products have no salt added, making them as heart healthy as possible.

Dei Fratelli tomato products that contain less than 20 milligrams of sodium per serving include:
• Crushed Tomatoes
• Crushed Tomatoes with Basil & Herbs
• Tomato Puree
• Whole Tomatoes
• Whole Tomatoes in Puree

Another heart smart option from Dei Fratelli is its Low Sodium Diced Tomatoes.

“We have heard from our consumers that making sure they Read the rest of this entry »

By Vanessa Richins

Even if your tomato plants are healthy, they sometimes fall prey to diseases from bacteria.

In a new study published in Current Biology, scientists show how a certain bacteria gets past a tomato’s defenses and infects the plant with bacterial speck disease, leaving black lesions on leaves and fruits.

They hope to use the results to study ways to protect plants without pesticides.

In order to study the way that the bacteria invaded the tomato, European scientists used a plant called Arabidopsis, which is also affected by the bacterial speck disease and works well in experimental studies.

When they studied the infection process, they found that Read the rest of this entry »

By Vanessa Richins

I am beginning to wonder if there is anything lycopene CAN’T do.

A new study suggests that it can help reduce the damage done by endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a condition in females where uterine cells wander to other locations in the pelvis and attach there.

The result are adhesions (scars), inflammation and pain. It can negatively affect fertility as well.

Now, a study presented at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine conference in San Francisco showed that Read the rest of this entry »

By Michelle Fabio

Scientists in England have created a tomato that they say may be even more healthy than the traditional red variety.

By injecting genes from the snapdragon flower, including the all-important antioxidant pigment called anthocyanin, researchers at the John Innes Centre, Norwich have created purple tomatoes that research suggests provide more health benefits than red tomatoes.

Along with giving snapdragons, blackberries, and cranberries their rich colors, anthocyanin is also believed to inhibit cancer cell growth, help eyesight, and fight cardiovascular, age-related degenerative diseases, diabetes, and obesity.

In the experiments by Read the rest of this entry »