The benefits and properties of tree tomato They are abundant for health: they prevent aging, provide proteins, are sources of carbohydrates, prevent constipation, provide vitamin B and iron, and others that I will comment on later..
The tree tomato is the fruit of a shrub 3-4 meters high, with grayish bark and evergreen foliage that belongs to the species Solanum betaceum of the Solanaceae family. The fruit is ovoid 4 to 10 cm long x 3 to 5 cm wide.
It has a smooth rind with a generally red or orange color when ripe. The pulp is juicy and acidic, with numerous seeds.
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The tree tomato contains a variety of antioxidants such as vitamin C, β-carotenes, anthocyanins and vitamin E.
Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducted free radical neutralization tests with extracts from the tree tomato and found that it significantly neutralizes free radicals, regardless of where they were grown..
These data of the tree tomato as an antioxidant place it as a good anti-inflammatory and anticancer.
Proteins are macromolecules from which we acquire essential amino acids for the generation of new tissues. They also constitute the raw material for the generation of hormones, digestive enzymes, hemoglobin, vitamins and plasma proteins..
Although the tree tomato only contributes 2.5 grams of protein per 100 grams, it can be a good complement to a salad accompanied with a portion of meat.
The required daily protein values vary according to age between men and women, but in general after the age of 19 women need 46 g daily and men 56 g daily.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that collaborates in the functions of growth, maintenance and repair of the bone system.
It also contributes to cell development related to sight, mucous membranes, epithelia, skin, nails, hair, and tooth enamel. In addition, it is involved in glucose and lipid homeostasis.
Vitamin B6 -or pyridoxine- favors the formation of red blood cells, blood cells and hormones. It is involved in the synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and collaborates in the maintenance of the nervous and immune systems, indirectly participating in the production of antibodies.
Pyridoxine reduces estrogen levels, relieving pre-menstruation symptoms. Moreover, it stabilizes blood sugar levels during pregnancy. It also prevents the formation of calcium oxalate stones or stones in the kidney.
Vitamin B values6 Generally recommended in adults is 19 to 50 years are 1.3 mg per day.
Iron is essential for the formation of red blood cells, and the formation of hemoglobin, a protein responsible for the absorption of oxygen in the blood.
Its deficiency results in anemia, muscle weakness and fatigue.
Magnesium is essential for health. It contributes to the proper functioning of the skeletal muscles, the heart and the brain, favoring the transmission of nerve impulses, the contraction and relaxation of the muscles.
In this muscular process it intervenes together with calcium to the good musculoskeletal functioning.
The presence of magnesium also favors the strengthening of the bone system and teeth, and is very convenient for the cardiovascular system. It helps to keep the heart rate and blood pressure stable, protecting the walls of the blood vessels and acting as a vasodilator, thus preventing the formation of clots. It also increases the production of white blood cells to benefit the immune system..
An interesting fact is that magnesium deficiency can generate carcinogenesis and metastasis, since it is necessary as a cofactor of DNA repair enzymes.
However, it is also known that in tumor cells there is a high concentration of magnesium due to its high DNA replication.
The amount of magnesium varies between men and women but in general terms, in adults aged 19 to 50 years, women need 320 mg / day and men 420 mg / day.
Zinc is a mineral that plays a central role in many biological processes such as enzyme action, gene expression, and cell signaling..
It is required for more than 200 transcription factors (molecules that transcribe genetic information) and 300 enzymes among which they participate as antioxidants.
The amount of zinc is variable between men and women but in general terms in adults, over 19 years of age, women need to consume 8 mg a day while men need 11 mg a day.
Potassium has been estimated to be one of the 4 essential minerals in people's diets.
This mineral is extremely important in regulating water in blood and tissues. Potassium together with sodium generate the electrical potential that promotes muscle contractions and the nerve impulse, with special relevance in cardiac activity.
Generally speaking, the recommended daily intake of potassium for adults is 4,700 mg per day.
Copper is also a cofactor for several enzymes. Its deficiency is very rare since very low amounts of this mineral are needed (around 900 µg / day).
Malic acid is a dicarboxylic acid found in many generally acidic vegetables and fruits, although it is also produced by the human body.
Right now food supplements based on malic acid are marketed for its great benefits, since this molecule is involved in the metabolism of the derivation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Therefore, malic acid is used to treat people with chronic fatigue syndrome..
This acid also stimulates saliva production and can act as an oral antiseptic. Also, malic acid is a chelator (sequestrant of metals such as calcium or magnesium), which can help detoxify the body.
Pectin is a group of heterogeneous polysaccharides that function as soluble dietary fiber in the digestive tract. This type of diet is fermented by microorganisms, which generates gases in our intestines and reduces the consistency of our stools..
However, this type of fiber favors the growth of bacterial flora and reduces the absorption of lipids and sugars with a high glycemic index..
For every 100 grams, the tree tomato only provides 35 Kcal. In general, it provides a wide variety of nutrients: iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamins A, C, B6 and E.
Although the composition of the tree tomato depends on where it is grown, in the following table we summarize some of its components published in a work by the Swedish University of Agriculture. In it, tree tomatoes sown in Ecuador and sown in Spain were compared.
It is also high in pectin, low in calories and has pigments such as anthocyanins, flavons, and leucoanthocyanins, with delfinnidin3-rutinoside being the most representative anthocyanin..
The tree tomato is an excellent food, since it has a huge amount of biomolecules that are essential for health and are part of our daily nutritional requirements.
A great advantage that the tree tomato has is that it only provides 35 Kcal per 100 g. This means that by consuming one kilogram of tree tomato we would be contributing 350 Kcal to our daily diet, a very low amount compared to that of other fruits..
Thus, the low caloric intake contrasted with its high amount of nutrients, make the tree tomato an excellent food.
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