The Best Way to Eat Tomatoes for Better Health — And 4 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Tomatoes are a staple in many kitchens and one of the most widely used ingredients in everyday meals. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and especially lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to heart health and protection against cellular damage. Still, many people do not realize that the way tomatoes are eaten can affect how beneficial they really are. In some cases, eating them the wrong way may reduce their value or even cause discomfort.
Raw or cooked: which is better?
Modern research suggests that cooked tomatoes may actually offer greater lycopene benefits than raw ones. Lycopene is stored inside the plant cells of tomatoes, and heat helps break down those cell walls, making the antioxidant easier for the body to absorb.
