Nutrients in Tomato Basil

Tomatoes are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and plant compounds that offer a wide range of health benefits. Research even suggests that these nutrients may protect against multiple diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Therefore, enjoying tomato soup may be a delicious way to make the most of the health benefits of tomatoes. You could savor a rich, warm bowl of soup during sweater weather or a refreshing gazpacho in summer. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) have relatively few calories, but they are packed with nutrients and beneficial plant compounds.

Here is the nutrient profile of one large (182-gram) raw tomato:

Calories: 33

Carbs: 7 grams

Fiber: 2 grams

Protein: 1.6 grams

Fat: 0.4 grams

Vitamin C: 28% of the Daily Value (DV)

Vitamin K: 12% of the DV

Vitamin A: 8% of the DV

Potassium: 9% of the DV

Tomatoes are also rich in carotenoids — namely lycopene — providing about 80% of the DV for lycopene. Lycopene is the pigment that gives tomatoes their characteristic bright red color. It may also be responsible for many of their health benefits, given its potential preventive effect on various chronic diseases. Interestingly, research suggests that the body absorbs lycopene better when it is cooked. Heat may increase its bioavailability or absorption rate. Because tomato soup is made with cooked tomatoes, it is an excellent source of this compound.

Tomato soup is low in calories and high in potassium and vitamins C, K, and A. It also provides a great deal of lycopene, the compound responsible for most of the health benefits of tomatoes.

Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize the harmful effects of oxidative stress. This happens when cell-damaging molecules called free radicals accumulate in the body. Tomato soup is an excellent source of antioxidants, including lycopene, flavonoids, and vitamins C and E, among many others. Consuming antioxidants has been linked with a lower risk of cancer and inflammation-related diseases, such as obesity and heart disease. Additionally, research has shown that the antioxidant action of vitamin C and flavonoids may help protect against type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and brain diseases. Vitamin E helps boost vitamin C’s antioxidant effects  

Eating tomato soup is a great way to take advantage of the antioxidant capacity of tomatoes. They are high in lycopene, flavonoids, vitamins C and E, and other antioxidants.

Tomatoes are widely studied for their cancer-fighting properties due to their high lycopene content. They may be especially effective against prostate and breast cancer. Prostate cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, and the second most diagnosed cancer among men.

Multiple studies have found a direct association between high lycopene intake, specifically from cooked tomatoes, and a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Research suggests that lycopene may induce cancer cell death. It may also slow tumor growth in a process called anti-angiogenesis.

Consuming higher levels of carotenoids is linked with an up to 28% reduction in the risk of breast cancer. These carotenoids include alpha carotene, beta carotene, and lycopene. While these results are promising, evidence suggests that lycopene is not potent enough for people to use it as an anticancer drug by itself. Research shows that lycopene’s antioxidant capacity may also interfere with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Lycopene and other carotenoids present in tomato soup may reduce the risk of prostate and breast cancers. Cooked tomatoes appear to have a more potent effect than raw tomatoes.

Enjoying a bowl of tomato soup may also benefit your eyes and skin. When it comes to skin health, beta carotene and lycopene may protect you against sunburn by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) light to increase the skin’s defense against UV-induced damage. For example, researchers in one study gave 149 healthy adults a supplement containing 15 mg of lycopene, 0.8 mg of beta carotene, and several additional antioxidants. The study found that the supplement significantly protected participants’ skin against UV damage. However, while the research suggests that this has some benefits for your skin, this doesn’t mean that you should alter your regular sun protection skin care routine. Foods like tomatoes that are rich in carotenoids and vitamin A may benefit eye health too. Eating tomatoes has been associated with a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration, or loss of vision that comes with age. Once again, their protective effect appears to come from their antioxidant properties, which reduce oxidative stress in the macula, a key part of the eye. In addition, the body converts beta carotene into retinol, an essential compound for vision.

Antioxidants found in tomatoes may protect your skin from sunburn and lower your risk of age-related vision loss.

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease characterized by increased bone fragility and fracture. It is considered one of the most important complications of postmenopause. Studies show that lycopene plays an essential role in regulating bone metabolism by increasing bone mineral density, which reduces the risk of fracture. Other aspects of bone metabolism include the balance between cells called osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteoblasts are in charge of building bone, while osteoclasts are responsible for bone breakdown and resorption. Animal studies show that lycopene also influences bone metabolism by stimulating osteoblast activity to build bones while reducing the breakdown activity of osteoclasts.

Lycopene in tomatoes may help maintain stronger bones and reduce the risk of fractures.

High intakes of tomato products may reduce levels of total and LDL (bad) cholesterol — two major risk factors for heart disease. These effects may be thanks to tomatoes’ lycopene and vitamin C content. Both lycopene and vitamin C prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Oxidation of LDL cholesterol is a risk factor for artherosclerosis. Lycopene also lowers cholesterol absorption in the intestines and improves the functioning of HDL (good) cholesterol in the body. Additionally, the carotenoids in tomatoes may help lower blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease.

Tomato soup may help reduce several risk factors for heart disease due to its carotenoid and vitamin C content.

Oxidative stress is a major cause of male infertility. It can lead to sperm damage that causes decreased sperm viability and motility. Research suggests that taking lycopene supplements may be a potential fertility treatment. This is because lycopene’s antioxidant properties may increase the chances of producing a higher count of healthy sperm. One study in 44 men with infertility concluded that consuming commercial tomato products, such as tomato juice or soup, significantly increased blood lycopene levels, resulting in improved sperm motility. Additionally, one animal study found that lycopene may reduce damage due to radiation therapy. This damage is often characterized by a lowered sperm count.

Lycopene in tomato soup may improve sperm parameters that are associated with male fertility.

Some cultures use tomato soup as a home remedy for the common cold. In fact, its vitamin C and carotenoid content may stimulate your immune system. Research also shows that vitamin C may help prevent the common cold and reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms.

A warm bowl of tomato soup may help you get better when you’re feeling under the weather, thanks to its carotenoid and vitamin C content.

With both warm and cold tomato soup recipes available online, you’ll be able to enjoy this simple, delicious dish year-round. Some people claim tomato soup has other health benefits. However, these are not backed by science.

Tomato soup has many science-backed health benefits. However, there is no scientific evidence that it promotes hair growth, eliminates body fat, or causes weight loss.