While soups are commonly made in our households during the the chilly winter months, here are some reasons that will make you roast, stew, and later puree your tomatoes to prepare a bowl of rich, creamy soup every day.
A single bowl of tomato soup consists of several nutrients that include vitamins A, C, E, and K besides important minerals and antioxidants that are beneficial for your overall health.
Bone health
The vitamin K and calcium in tomato soup help you get healthy bones. Lycopene in tomato soup boosts bone mass which helps countering osteoporosis. Consuming tomato soup daily decreases the blood levels of TNF alpha by approximately 34 per cent. A deficiency in lycopene could increase oxidative stress in the bones and cause unwanted changes in the tissues. You can keep these issues at bay by making tomato soup a daily part of your meal.
Disease countering lycopene
As stated before, tomato soup is rich in lycopene, the pigment that provides the fruit its bright color. Processed tomato has more lycopene than raw ones. Lycopene neutralises the oxidative damage that occurs due to free radicals, a molecule that assists ageing. A diet rich in lycopene helps fight chronic diseases and prevents stroke. A cup of tomato soup gives 13.3 milligrams of lycopene. That’s sufficient to keep your body fit.
Cardiovascular health
The high amount of vitamin C in tomato soup gives arterial protection. It bolsters the heart and protects it from problems like blockage of arteries and helps prevent the risk of a stroke. It decreases the deposition of fats in the blood vessels, decreasing bad cholesterol. Tomato soup also helps prevent the clumping of platelet cells in the blood.
Blood circulation
Selenium present in tomato soup improves blood circulation which prevents anaemia which is one of it’s top benefits. A single serving of tomato soup gives 7 micrograms of selenium, providing 11 per cent of the daily recommended intake.
Vitamins
Tomato soup is a rich source of vitamins A and C. Vitamin A is needed for tissue development. It activates the genes of the new cells, helping them to grow into mature tissue. A bowl of tomato soup gives nearly 16 per cent of the daily recommended quantity of vitamin A. Vitamin C is needed to maintain healthy tendons and ligaments. Tomato soup gives 20 per cent of the daily-recommended quantity of vitamin C, helping you to keep your body healthy.
So, what are you waiting for? Prepare your bowl of tomato soup right away!having a bowl of tomato soup every day helps to keep the body healthy.
(The author is a nutritionist, wellness coach, certified diabetes educator and the founder of a diet and nutrition brand.)