Tomato is one of the most nutrient-dense foods that we have all over the world. Even though this vegetable is so small, the health benefits that it can give is wide-ranging and so many. In fact, the nutritional benefits of it may support healthful skin, heart health, and weight loss. In this article, you will get to know more about this superfood. Not just that, you will also be able to know about the effects of tomatoes for gout. Are you ready? Then let’s go!
Tomatoes: What is this?
Scientifically, the tomato is known as the Solanum lycopersicum. It is a berry of a plant from the nightshade plant family and is native to the regions of South America. Moreover, tomatoes are considered to be both a vegetable and a fruit. It is one of the integral parts of various cuisines all over the world, most especially in the Mediterranean region. The daily consumption of tomatoes may provide a great boost to the health. As well as with the improvement in the flavor of the food. You can find tomatoes in various foods like ketchup, pizza, pasta, and various beverages. Furthermore, tomatoes are relatively easy to nurture and grow. This is what makes them a great source of food. This is also the reason why it is one of the staple foods for various nations in the world.
Nowadays, tomatoes are grown in lots and lots of countries all over the world. Furthermore, there are also thousands of cultivars and varieties, which may provide you with a lot of astounding health benefits.
Tomatoes: Nutritional Content
Here is what’s inside tomatoes:
| Principle | Nutrient Value | Percentage of RDA |
| Energy | 18 Kcal | 1% |
| Carbohydrates | 3.9 grams | 3% |
| Protein | 0.9 grams | 1.6% |
| Total Fat | 0.2 grams | 0.7% |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligrams | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.2 grams | 3% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 15 micrograms | 4% |
| Niacin | 0.594 milligrams | 4% |
| Pyridoxine | 0.080 milligrams | 6% |
| Thiamin | 0.037 milligrams | 3% |
| Vitamin A | 833 IU | 28% |
| Vitamin C | 13 milligrams | 21.5% |
| Vitamin E | 0.54 milligrams | 4% |
| Vitamin K | 7.9 micrograms | 6.5% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 5 milligrams | >1% |
| Potassium | 237 milligrams | 5% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 10 milligrams | 1% |
| Iron | 0.3 milligrams | 4% |
| Magnesium | 11 milligrams | 3% |
| Manganese | 0.15 milligrams | 6.5% |
| Phosphorus | 24 milligrams | 3% |
| Zinc | 0.17 milligrams | 1.5% |
| Phyto-nutrients | ||
| Carotene-ß | 449 micrograms | — |
| Carotene-α | 101 micrograms | — |
| Lutein-zeaxanthin | 123 micrograms | — |
| Lycopene | 2573 micrograms | — |
Tomatoes for Gout: Is it beneficial for the condition?
There is a big misconception among various gout sufferers that tomatoes may actually cause gout flare-ups. Simply, this is not true. Especially if you are going to examine the nutrients in it closely. 90% of the tomato is water, and this is important for those who suffer from gout. Another fact, tomatoes are low in purine, thus making it safe for those who suffer from the condition, as it cannot trigger gout flare-ups. Moreover, tomatoes are also low in sugar and carbohydrate levels and is low in calories content. In fact, a hundred grams of tomato only has 18 calories.
Another issue about tomatoes is that they have low pH levels. And this is probably the reason why they are thought to be a gout trigger. The pH levels in the tomatoes may vary depending on the variety of the tomato that you consume.
Here is the estimated pH level of different tomato products:
- Beefsteak 4.60 To 5.00
- Canned Tomatoes 3.50t to 4.70
- Cherry tomatoes 4.00 to 4.50
- Tomato soup cream 4.62
- Tomato juice 4.10 to 4.60
- Paste 3.50 to 4.70
- Tomato puree 4.30 to 4.47
- Roma and Vita Gold Tomato 5.10
- Strained Tomato 4.32 to 4.58
- Super Marzano Tomato 5.20
- Vine-ripened tomatoes 4.42 to 4.65
As what you can see above, the pH levels of the tomatoes are generally under 5. This is what makes the food so acidic. Those that have under 5 pH level is dangerous for those who suffer from gout.
Tomatoes for Gout: Conclusion
Even though tomatoes are very nutritious and very suitable for those who suffer from gout, it should be consumed as part of the overall balanced diet. You should not go eating tomatoes in the morning, day, and night. If you are going to buy a food product that contains tomato, you should always read the labels of it and see how much sodium there is. This is to make sure that it will not wreak havoc in the body.
