Which tomatoes are excessive in lycopene?

Lycopene is a potent antioxidant present in abundance within the shiny purple fruit of the standard tomato. Regarded as one of many key causes that the Mediterranean food plan is so wholesome, it’s not solely good to your physique however nice to your coronary heart and intestine too. Listed below are simply a few of the tomatoes that include the best ranges of lycopene.

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What’s lycopene?

Lycopene is a shiny purple compound discovered naturally in lots of vegetables and fruit, however particularly in tomatoes. A robust antioxidant with the flexibility to mop up damaging free radicals within the physique, it’s additionally believed to cut back the chance of heart problems. Lycopene advantages intestine well being by shifting the steadiness of microbes in favour of ‘good micro organism’ and growing bacterial variety which is now thought-about a cornerstone of digestive well being.

Does cooking cut back the lycopene content material of tomatoes?

Cooking can deplete the degrees of vitamins like vitamin C in some fruit and greens. However the reverse is true of the lycopene present in tomatoes. In actual fact, as a result of cooking breaks down a few of the cell partitions within the fruit, it truly will increase the bioavailability of the compound, making it simpler to soak up. That’s nice information should you like to make your homegrown tomatoes into scrumptious tomato sauces or chutneys.

Which tomatoes include probably the most lycopene?

Possibly it’s the love and care you present your vegetation; perhaps it’s all that wealthy natural matter you dig into your soil every year; however analysis exhibits that homegrown tomatoes include extra lycopene than commercially produced fruit. That mentioned, some varieties are naturally larger on this wholesome antioxidant compound than others. Listed below are a couple of lycopene-rich tomato varieties to attempt:

• ‘Crimson Cherry’: Of all of the tomatoes, cherry and roma varieties are the best in lycopene, and, for us, Crimson Cherry comes high of the heap. The fruits are delightfully candy with a tangy end that makes them preferrred for summer season salads. An added bonus, the vegetation are bred for blight-resistance, making them a best choice for gardeners all over the place. 
• ‘Crimson Plum’: A wonderful choice for sauces, this Roma-style tomato options agency flesh with few seeds. Filled with lycopene, it’s one other selection that gives very good blight resistance.
• ‘Sungold’: For a golden tomato with heaps of lycopene, do that selection. An RHS medal winner that continues to crop into winter in a cool greenhouse, it’s successful with gardeners. 
• ‘Candy Aperitif’: One other candy cherry tomato, this little gem is excessive in lycopene and famend for its heavy cropping. A mix of excessive sugar and excessive acid content material makes this a candy delight which stays refreshingly tangy. 

Lycopene is simply one of many many antioxidants present in vibrant fruit and veg. Focused on why rising your personal may offer you measurably extra nutritious meals? Learn our information for more information.

Lead picture: Tomato seeds ‘Candy Aperitif’ from Suttons