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 »

By Michelle Fabio

We all know that tomatoes are one of the healthiest foods out there, but just how healthy are they?

An average tomato has just 21 calories, and here is a quick glance at the nutritional information of a tomato, including calories, fat, carbohydrates, sugars, and of course Vitamin C: Read the rest of this entry »

By Michelle Fabio

Super tomatoes have arrived.

British supermarket chain Tesco claims that its “Healthy Living Tomato on the Vine” has up to twice the level of lycopene as an ordinary vine-ripened tomato.

Lycopene, which is what makes tomatoes red, is nature’s most powerful antioxidant; studies have shown that increased lycopene consumption can lead to decreased risks of heart disease as well as certain types of cancers, including breast, prostate, and colorectal.

Lycopene may also lower the amount Read the rest of this entry »

By Michelle Fabio

By polling a panel of experts, the popular Internet source of medical information, WebMD has compiled a list of the six healthiest foods women can eat, which they have termed “Super Foods.”

And tomatoes come in as Super Food #4.

Tomatoes, along with watermelon, grapefruit, and red navel oranges, are praised for providing lycopene, which aside from possibly protecting against prostate cancer in men, also has health benefits for women.

According to NYU Read the rest of this entry »