Turmeric-Tomato-Black Pepper Soup to Fight Inflammation, Cancer and More...

Although inflammation is a necessary part of your immune response to real health threats, when it occurs out of context, it does a lot more harm than good.

Inflammation and Chronic Disease

Research has shown that unchecked inflammation in the body is associated with even the earliest stages of disease development.  Inappropriate inflammation is the root cause of many common chronic diseases such as arthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and even multiple sclerosis.

Yet, the key to reducing the number of people suffering from a chronic disease is to address inflammation through diet and lifestyle changes.

In a 2005 scientific publication, T. Edwards writes “we have enough information presently to make the necessary changes in our lifestyle to significantly affect the inflammatory process and potentially live longer, healthier lives, with fewer burdens to an overburdened and failing medical system”.

How to Combat Inflammation

The biggest factor that we have control over when it comes to inflammation, is our diet. While there are food types that are infamous for causing unnecessary and dangerous inflammation, there are others that have been proven to have the opposite effect. One of these foods is turmeric.

Turmeric benefits

Turmeric has long been used as a part of traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s being widely adopted in western culture for the same reason.

A 2011 study tested its effects on arthritis in rats, and found that turmeric decreased the production of inflammatory cytokines while increasing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines in the body. These researchers also compared turmeric to ginger, and found that it was an even better anti-inflammatory than ginger is.

Turmeric is also used to promote digestive health. Specifically, it can help to treat Crohn’s disease, ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease. Also, turmeric is an anti-oxidant, so it helps prevent cancer.

One study testing 3 different types of turmeric root found that it was able to reduce breast cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, and melanoma cancer!


Black pepper benefits

Eating turmeric along with black pepper will totally maximize its effects. There is a substance in black pepper called piperine that increases your body’s absorption of turmeric (bioavailability) by 2000%! Even on its own, black pepper can fight oxidation in your body, and can stimulate healthy digestion.

Tomato benefits

Tomatoes are full of lycopene; it’s what gives them their vibrant red color! It’s also what makes them powerful anti-oxidants.

Not only will reduce your risk of cancer, but consuming lycopene can also help guard against heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels in your body and keeping your blood pressure low. The bioavailability of lycopene (how well our bodies can absorb it during digestion) is significantly increased when we eat cooked tomatoes vs. raw tomatoes.

Turmeric Tomato Soup Recipe

This colourful and delicious vegan friendly soup takes advantage of all three of those chronic-disease fighting foods. We also love how quick it is to make: only 15 minutes!

What You Need:

• ¾ cup cherry tomatoes, rinsed and cut in halves
• 1 can diced tomatoes (don’t drain the sauce)
• ½ cup low-sodium vegetable stock
• 1 minced onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

What to Do:

• Fry onion and garlic in coconut oil over medium heat for 1 minute.
• Add turmeric, cherry tomatoes. Cook until tomatoes are soft.
• Add canned tomatoes, stock, ACV, and basil. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, then cover and let simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
• Blend using a blender or hand mixer until creamy.
• Season with salt and pepper.

If you make this, post a pic and let us know what you think!

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A Tomato Sauce Allergy In Children

Tomatoes are botanically related to the potato, both included in the nightshade family of plants. Usually children who have an allergy to potatoes, also have an allergy to tomatoes.

There are at least four concepts to keep in mind about food allergies, namely avoidance, education, awareness, and preparedness. Your awareness of the problem of allergies in children is the initial motivator to encourage you to educate yourself more on this condition.

Education will increase your awareness and you will know the factors that can trigger an allergic reaction. This allows you to better prepare for situations in which an allergic reaction may occur.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Tomatoes Allergy

Allergy to a tomato sauce can cause common symptoms such as other allergic reactions. Nausea, vomiting, skin rash, itching, airway constriction, wheezing, and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips.

These symptoms will usually appear within 45 minutes after people who have allergies consume tomatoes. However, a severe allergic reaction to tomatoes are scarce.

A doctor makes a diagnosis by observing tomato allergy symptoms and take your child's medical history. Diagnostic tests will be done if your child is suspected allergic to tomatoes.

Your child's blood will be taken and processed in the laboratory to detect the presence of antibodies to allergens tomatoes. Test results can be seen within 24 hours.

Warnings and Considerations

Anaphylactic shock due to food allergies can be fatal, it affects about 1 million people in the U.S. each year. If your child has a severe allergy to tomato sauce, anaphylactic shock reactions are possible. Take your child to the emergency room immediately if you suspect he suffered anaphylactic shock.

The symptoms of anaphylactic shock are narrowing of the airways, difficulty breathing and fainting that occurs between 5 to 15 minutes after exposure to an allergen.

A study published in 2001 investigated the cross-reactivity of tomato and latex allergens in a group of 40 children and young adults with allergic to tomatoes. If your child is allergic to tomato sauce, chances are she is also sensitive to latex as well. Consultation with your doctor immediately if you suspect your child may have some allergy sensitivity.

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Tomatoes Health Benefits For Pregnancy

The needs of nutrients and vitamins for pregnant women are different from those who are not pregnant. Pregnant women need more intake of nutrients and vitamins to ensure the fetus in the womb can grow healthily, and also to make a pregnant woman's body stay strong and healthy of course.

And increase the consumption of fruits is one of the things that are highly recommended. Among the many options, tomatoes can be selected as a fresh and healthy snacks during pregnancy. Tomatoes are good for pregnancy.

Vitamin C and Iron In Tomatoes

As mentioned previously, vitamins in tomatoes quite a lot, especially for vitamin C. This vitamin is very important and necessary during pregnancy to keep yourself and your baby healthy. Vitamin C helps the formation of bones and teeth, as well as maintain healthy gums.

Vitamin C also helps the absorption of iron, which is an important and vital minerals during pregnancy. As you know, pregnant women need more iron intake. Because of this, many doctors recommend additional iron supplements to pregnant women. And consuming tomatoes may help your body better absorb iron from the food you consume.

Lycopene in Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant compound that is believed to protect cell damage in the body. Many Institutes of Health state that it is safe for pregnant women to consume foods that contain lycopene.

Although the safety of lycopene supplement for pregnant women still need further research. So if you are currently pregnant, do not hesitate to consume tomatoes to get the benefits of lycopene in it. All you have to avoid is taking lycopene supplements.

New Developments and Considerations

A new breakthrough made ​​by a plant biochemist at the University of Florida, which is engineered tomatoes that contain folate, the essential vitamin to avoid genetic defects in babies. All pregnant women are advised to be sure to get the right amount of these nutrients.

Folate usually found in dark green vegetables. Genetic engineering makes the tomatoes become a valuable source of folate. But this will still take many more years to be perfect.

Meanwhile, it turns out tomatoes also can cause discomfort for some pregnant women. During the second half of pregnancy, many pregnant women experience heartburn. Acidic foods like tomatoes may be able to exacerbate this problem in some pregnant women, and make heartburn worse. If you are experiencing heartburn, reduce the consumption of tomatoes and avoid other foods that cause digestive problems.

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Benefits Of Vitamins In Tomatoes

Tomatoes have gained more attention in recent decades, because the content of a carotenoid called lycopene, which is believed to offer antioxidant benefits. In some studies, lycopene is known to reduce the risk of some cancers, especially breast and prostate cancer. Tomatoes are commonly used in a variety of cuisines, including Indonesian, Indian, Italian, and Mexican. Tomatoes are also rich in several essential vitamins.

Vitamin A

Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin A. One cup serving of tomato provides about 58 mcg or about 7% of the daily intake of vitamin A is recommended. Function of vitamin A is to help maintain strong bones and teeth, protects the lungs, kidneys, and bladder from bacterial and fungal infections.

Vitamin A is also necessary to control acne and prevent skin infections. In addition, the vitamin is essential for preventing night blindness.

Vitamin B3

In one cup servings of tomatoes there are around 1,227 mg of vitamin B3, equivalent to 8% of the recommended daily intake, according to the USDA. Vitamin B3, also known as niacin is a vitamin that helps boost blood circulation in the arteries and blood vessels, which can ease the heart's workload.

This vitamin helps reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the bloodstream. This vitamin also helps the body to metabolize fats, proteins, and carbohydrates are used for energy and cell repair.

Vitamin C

Tomato is a fruit that is very rich in vitamin C. One cup serving of cooked tomatoes contain about 55 mg of vitamin C, equivalent to 61% of the recommended daily intake for adults who are not pregnant. The highest content of vitamin C is in the tomato skin, but also present in the juice. Function of vitamin C is to boost the immune system and fight free radicals that attack healthy cells, causing cancer.

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Health Benefits Of Lycopene In Tomatoes

To investigate the benefits of lycopene for a variety of health problems, researchers often ask people about their intake of tomato consumption. This is to estimate the level of lycopene in their body. As you know, lycopene is a carotenoid that gives a reddish color to fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes and watermelon. In the human body, lycopene is found in the skin, lungs, liver, prostate, colon, and adrenal glands.

Until now, the benefits of foods containing lycopene, such as tomatoes, are controversial and require more research. And because tomatoes contain a lot of nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, and potassium, so many researchers were unable to conclude if only lycopene which gives real benefits of eating tomatoes. Quite a lot of research on the same topic which give conflicting results.

Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention Effects

Although not all studies have shown that lycopene acts as an antioxidant in the human body, but some studies actually show different results. Lycopene is an antioxidant that is similar to other carotenoids. However, because of the absence of an agreement, then more research is needed before making conclusions.

On the other hand, research has studied the relationship between the increase in the body's intake of lycopene / tomato intake and breast cancer. However, these studies are not very clear, whether lycopene actually affect your chances of avoiding breast cancer. Several studies have also shown conflicting results on the benefits of lycopene to prevent prostate cancer and cervical cancer. But in spite of all the above studies, a diet rich in lycopene, such as tomatoes, seems to lower your risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Other Benefits of Lycopene

Some studies show if lycopene has any effect on coronary artery disease. The studies are reported if the consumption of lycopene can help people with high cholesterol or hardening of the arteries. For other cases, lycopene is used to prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia. Research has proven if regular consumption of lycopene can avoid prostate enlargement. Those who have BPH is to be at high risk of prostate cancer.

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Tomatoes Health Benefits For Men

In the article "health benefits of tomatoes for men", I want to talk about one of the diseases that may be most feared by men. Prostate cancer! Yes, this disease has killed many men in the world each year.

Actually, like all systems of the body, prostate health is very dependent on the nutrient consumed. Consume enough nutritious food can promote the development of healthy prostate cells, and it can protect the prostate from damage. And tomatoes may be one good option to reduce the risk of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Lycopene, Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

As you already know, tomatoes are a good source of lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant to counteract free radicals that damage DNA and stimulate the formation of precancerous cells. Free radical itself is actually a byproduct of the metabolic process. The only way to counteract free radicals is by consuming foods that contain antioxidants, including lycopene.

Based on data released by the American Cancer Society, there are more than 30,000 people who die each year from prostate cancer. Therefore, choose foods that rich in lycopene to protect you from free radicals. Stewed tomatoes is one good option. Tomatoes that have been processed, such as stewed tomatoes, contain a lot more lycopene than raw tomatoes or other foods.

A common medical condition experienced by many older men is prostate enlargement, or commonly called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is often made sense of uncomfortable and difficult urination. Based on a study, the consumption of lycopene may help treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. A number of volunteers were given supplements of lycopene per day for 6 months. And the results were encouraging, proven BPH progression can be slowed to a large number of volunteers.

Consideration

Although what was said earlier is based on accurate data, but consumes just stewed tomatoes will not affect the health of your prostate. You still have to keep your healthy weight (tomatoes are also good for weight loss), doing regular exercise and choose healthy foods that are rich in antioxidants. If you are currently experiencing problems with your prostate, try to talk first with your doctor for treatment options.

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Tomatoes Health Benefits For Women

Tomato is a fruit of multiple benefits, you can see a variety of benefits contained in tomatoes in the main article here...

In this article I would like to inform the benefits of tomatoes for women. Why women are advised to consume tomato juice or foods containing tomatoes. What diseases can be avoided by regularly consume tomatoes?

Tomatoes contain essential nutrients such as niacin, folic acid and vitamin B6, which has been associated with reduced risk of heart disease. One study found that women who eat 7 to 10 servings of tomato products per week had a 29% lower risk of heart disease than women who ate less than one serving half of tomato products every week. The results were even more impressive when women eat the oil-rich tomato products.

Benefits of Lycopene in Tomatoes For Women

This gem is loaded with the antioxidant lycopene. Women with lycopene-rich diets can have as many as 50% lower risk of breast cancer. Research on tomato and breast cancer risk is largely focused on carotenoid lycopene, and there are enough well-documented reduction in the risk for breast cancer associated with intake of lycopene. The study also found that eating tomatoes regularly can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, especially in premenopausal women.

Researchers have recently discovered the important relationship between lycopene, antioxidant properties, and bone health. A study designed where tomatoes and other food sources of lycopene have been removed from the diet of postmenopausal women for 4 weeks, to see what the effect of lycopene restriction will have on bone health.

At the end of 4 weeks, women in the study started to show signs of increased oxidative stress in their bones and unwanted changes in their bone tissue. The researchers concluded that the removal of foods containing lycopene (including tomatoes) from the diet is likely to put women at increased risk of osteoporosis.


Tomatoes are also very good for nursing mothers. When a nursing mother eat tomato products, this will increase the concentration lycopenein in their milk. In this case, is best cooked. The researchers also found that eating tomato products such as tomato sauce increases the concentration of lycopene in breast milk over eating fresh tomatoes. Benefits of tomatoes for women was remarkable. So make sure to always take it daily.

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All The Benefits of Tomato Juice

Tomatoes are a natural health secrets that provided by the Earth for humans. Tomatoes contain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, which are very good for improving endurance and health. And the best way to get all the nutrients from the tomato is by consuming tomatoes that are still fresh and freshly picked, because all of the vitamins and minerals are still intact.

French people called tomatoes as the apple of love, it is because potassium minerals found in tomatoes can increase stamina and refresh the body after a tiring work activity. And not only restore the stamina, but also to maintain the quality of sexual desire for men.


In addition, the high content of vitamin C in tomatoes is also very good to boost the immune system in the body. Tomato juice is also beneficial to increase glycogen levels in human liver. With the liver remained stable and healthy, you need not worry if you have to do heavy physical work.

Health Benefits of Tomato Juice

Tomatoes are beneficial for blood circulation and prevent prostate cancer because of the antioxidant called lycopene. In addition, another tomato juice benefit is to control the stability of blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Drinking tomato juice also improve the health of human bile. Bioflavonoids that contained in tomato juice increases capillary resistance and can help avoid leaks in the blood vessels.

Drinking tomato juice is also very useful for maintaining a healthy digestive system while increasing your appetite. Tomato juice if consumed regularly can help cure the anorexia disease. Tomatoes and spinach that were served in the form of juice is very good for treating constipation also.

Actually there are many more tomato juice benefits that is still studied till now. You can see the main article on this blog about the tomatoes health benefits.

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Tomatoes Health Benefits In General

Tomato plants originally came from around Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia are now spread almost all over the world. Tomato is a fruit that inserted in the vegetable group. Has many benefits for health and beauty. Tomatoes can be processed into various types of cuisine, such as for sauce ingredients, as a spice in cooking, salads and sandwiches, and can also be processed into pickles.

Tomatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fiber, dietary fat, protein, sugar and water. Eating tomatoes regularly can prevent disease, as well as to cure and control of several diseases. There are at least 10 tomatoes health benefits for the human body, which are:

Top 10 Health Benefits of Tomatoes

1. Keeps Skin Healthy

Regular consumption of tomatoes will help make your skin look great. Tomatoes have lycopene, an antioxidant that helps protect skin against sun damage. It also makes skin less sensitive to ultraviolet light damage, one of the main causes of fine lines and wrinkles on the face.

Also, tomatoes can be used to minimize large pores, heal acne and rashes or treat minor burns. Rubbing the pulp of tomatoes on dull skin is a simple way to revive a healthy glow.

2. Against Cancer

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that eating more tomatoes lowers the risk of prostate cancer.

It may also decrease the risk of other cancers like lung, stomach, cervical, mouth, pharynx, throat, esophagus, colon, rectal, and ovarian cancer. This is primarily due to the antioxidant lycopene that is present in tomatoes.

A study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that the anti-cancer benefits of tomatoes are maximized when they are cooked with olive oil.

3. Supports Bone Health

Tomatoes are good for your bones due to the presence of vitamin K and calcium in them. Both these elements are excellent for strengthening and repairing bones.

The antioxidant lycopene also has been shown to improve bone mass, which is a great way to fight osteoporosis, a disease that can lead to bone fractures, disability, and deformity.

4. Improves Vision

The high amount of vitamins A and C in tomatoes can greatly help improve your vision and prevent night blindness. Recent research shows that the vitamin A in tomatoes helps reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious and irreversible eye condition.

Tomatoes also can reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Plus, tomatoes contain the phytochemical antioxidants zeaxanthin, lutein and lycopene. All these compounds protect the eyes from light damage.

5. Lowers Blood Pressure

Tomatoes, which are rich in potassium, can help lower blood pressure. It has been found that blood pressure can rise when your diet lacks potassium, especially if you consume too much sodium. Potassium helps flush sodium from your body.

Just one cup of fresh tomatoes contains 11.4 percent of your daily requirement of potassium, so eating more tomatoes is a great way to fight high blood pressure and reduce the risk of various heart diseases.

At the same time, tomatoes contain an array of powerful nutrients like lycopene, vitamins A and C, fiber, and carotenoids that work together to reduce the risk of heart disease.


6. Reduces Chronic Pain

Tomatoes can even reduce chronic pain, due to the presence of anti-inflammatory agents like bioflavonoids and carotenoids. Those who regularly suffer from mild to moderate pain often have inflammation. Reducing inflammation will automatically bring pain relief.

A study found that drinking a glass of tomato juice daily can reduce blood levels of TNF-alpha, which causes inflammation, by 34 percent. Tomatoes are a good food for people suffering from chronic, degenerative health problems like heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s.

7. Reduces Hair Problems

Tomatoes can even make your hair look better. The vitamins (especially vitamin A) and iron present in tomatoes help strengthen hair as well as add shine to dull, damaged and lifeless locks.

Plus, the acidity in tomatoes helps balance the pH levels in your hair, which in turn helps remove hair colors and dyes and maintain your hair’s natural color.

If you have an itchy scalp and dandruff, simply apply fresh tomato juice on your scalp and hair after shampooing, leave it in for four to five minutes and then rinse with cold water.

Note: Do not use tomatoes on your hair on a regular basis as their acidity can leave your hair dry.

8. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels

Tomatoes are a great food for diabetics to lower their blood sugar levels. They contain very little carbohydrates, which helps control the urine glucose level.

They are also a very good source of chromium that helps regulate blood sugar, as well as fiber, which has been shown to keep blood sugar levels from getting too high.

Several studies have shown that the antioxidants in tomatoes also provide protection to the kidneys and bloodstream, two areas frequently affected by diabetes. Finally, a low-calorie food like tomatoes can be helpful for diabetics trying to lose weight.

9. Controls Weight

Tomatoes can help you lose weight also. Tomatoes are very low in fat and have zero cholesterol. They contain lots of water and fiber, so they help your stomach fill up fast without a lot of calories.

So, if you are planning to lose weight, include lots of tomatoes into your diet plan. You can eat them raw like an apple or add them to salads, casseroles, sandwiches and other meals.

10. Promotes Sound Sleep

According to a study from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, those who consume more lycopene enjoy better sleep compared with people who do not. Tomatoes contain a good amount of lycopene.

Also, including higher levels of vitamin C in your diet can promote sound sleep and tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C. So, if you are not sleeping properly, try eating tomato soup or a salad with tomatoes at dinner time.

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