If you are searching for a “superfood,” you may not have to search much further than the mighty tomato. Just look at this list of powerful nutrients in the tomato and their far-reaching health benefits:

Tomatoes contain a high concentration of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Lycopene is known to lower the risk of certain cancers, such as breast, lung, and prostate cancer.

Tomatoes are high in Vitamin A, which aids in eye health, helping to protect against night blindness and age-related decline. It also helps lower the risk of some cancers, supports the immune system, supports bone health, and promotes healthy growth.

Tomatoes are high in the powerful antioxidant Vitamin C, which helps combat aging, reduce the risk of chronic disease, manage blood pressure, aid in iron absorption, reduce the risk of iron deficiency, boost the immune system, and protect against age-related memory decline.

Other benefits of tomatoes:

• Promote gut health by helping decrease inflammation and improving the gut microbiome.
• When combined with olive oil can help to lower excess cholesterol.
• It is low in calories and can help with weight maintenance.
• Promotes heart health and helps to reduce the risk of cardiac disease.

Tomatoes are common ingredients in Mediterranean Food, such as Italian and Greek cooking. The mighty tomato may be one of the important pieces of the puzzle that help explain why the Mediterranean Diet is so amazing for cardiac health, overall health, and longevity.