Although tomatoes started to serve as food on the table in the late Qing Dynasty, they were loved by the people because they were delicious and juicy, and could be eaten raw or cooked. Tomatoes are delicious, cheap and rich in vitamins, but more importantly, tomatoes contain a unique natural antioxidant - lycopene, which mainly comes from tomatoes and their products, and the bioavailability of tomato sauce is higher than that of fresh tomatoes. It is one of the strongest antioxidants found in plants in nature. It is scientifically proved that singlet oxygen and oxygen free radicals in the human body are the main culprits of invading the human body's own immune system. Lycopene is more effective in scavenging free radicals than other carotenoids and vitamin E. its rate constant of quenching singlet oxygen is 100 times that of vitamin E. It can effectively prevent and cure various diseases caused by aging and decreased immunity. Therefore, it has attracted the attention of experts all over the world. Because of its strong anti free radical ability, lycopene is favored by women. Regular consumption of tomatoes or lycopene can achieve the following effects.

1. effectively remove spots and wrinkles, and create white and beautiful skin

In addition to its own whitening effect, lycopene can also fight against melanin caused by ultraviolet radiation, inhibit the production of melanin and reduce the production of color spots.

2. resistance to free radicals

As a kind of carotenoid in nature, lycopene has particularly strong antioxidant effect, which is more than 2 times that of β - carotene and more than 100 times that of vitamin E. it can effectively prevent the damage of free radicals, ultraviolet rays and various external radiation to skin cells, and also promote the growth and regeneration of cells.

3. improve skin allergy

Lycopene can greatly improve skin allergy, eliminate skin dryness and itching caused by skin allergy, and make people feel relaxed and happy

4. inhibit the growth of cancer cells

Lycopene can inhibit the growth of cancer cells including breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer and endothelial cells.

In the latest experiment, researchers from the French National Institute of Agronomy found that a diet rich in lycopene can help people reduce the fat content in their bodies and reduce their waistlines. They speculate that lycopene may have an effect on the functioning of adipose tissue. Lycopene is fat soluble and can be stored in large amounts in adipose tissue to inhibit the secretion of protein by adipocytes.

    Girls often eat tomatoes, which can not only keep their skin white and energetic, but also keep slim. Not only how to eat tomatoes determines the amount of lycopene, but how to eat tomatoes to make the most of lycopene? First of all, we should try to choose fresh, mature and very red tomatoes. The redder the tomato is, the more lycopene it contains. Second, we should try to eat complete tomatoes without peeling them. Because tomatoes are Solanaceae plants, there are not many pesticide residues in their outer skins; Finally, it should be emphasized that cooked tomatoes are more nutritious. Lycopene is more easily absorbed by tomatoes cooked with oil, which is a fat soluble substance. If you can add a little vegetable oil or cook with foods containing more fat during cooking, it can promote its absorption and utilization in the human body, so as to really play its roleLycopeneHealth care function of. In addition, tomatoes also contain a small amount of carotene, which also needs oil to help absorb. Therefore, frying tomatoes is a very scientific cooking method.