In America, condiments and sauces are typically tomato based. They are designed to enhance the flavor of foods. Tomatoes are loaded with antioxidants called carotenoids. The main carotenoids are various forms of lycopene. Lycopene is used by the tomato plant to absorb radicals from sun rays to protect the tomato plant from damage during the photosynthesis process. When we ingest lycopene in our bodies after eating processed tomato foods, it has similar effects including but not limited to absorbing harmful free radicals caused by inflammation in our bodies. Lycopene also helps to increase our metabolism so that we burn more energy. This is important especially as we age and our metabolisms slow down as we reach 30s, 40s and 50s in age. Unfortunately, foods that contain high sodium prevent high metabolism by restricting blood flow. Therefore, in order to get the full health benefit of consuming tomato products it is important to consume low sodium diets
Let me know what you think.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Lloyd.