The Tomato Treatment

In foods, nutrition experts agree, lie an array of nutrients that serve as medicine to man. This has raised scientific conclusions that good food remains the best medicine for man. In this vein, FABIAN ODUM writes that tomato holds a lot in maintaining life full and healthier.
GO to a typical Nigerian buka, the local roadside restaurant, where you have the opportunity to point to the kind of soup, size and shape of meat or fish you desire, and you have a good idea of what the food style of the average man is.

Several wraps of iyan, amala or fufu and ewedu soup with assorted pieces of meat – pomo, bokoto, abodi and shaki, may be a typical order for lunch. It is not uncommon to see a desperate request like this: beans (ewa), Agege bread and a bottle of carbonated beverage for a meal.

Knowing the average meal of the Nigerian, introducing the age-long tomato as a substantial part of a meal for the hard working man would be like treading on a strange path, nutritionally.

ut the result of studies on tomato and the beneficial impact on health and longevity should be enough encouragement to make conscious effort at quitting or modifying old eating habits.

Consider a meal like this: roast tomato, on toast crusty bread rubbed with garlic and a dash of virgin olive oil. Call it starters, if you choose. However, with barbecued chicken breast and other vegetables, cooked tomato could make an interesting meal that does not fall into the category of a snack. For a heavy eater, it surely appears like one, but the essence is not the quantity but nutritional quality.

For once, let us pretend that this locally grown passion fruit may appear foreign, but the rich red look is so attractive that it could be eaten even in the raw form. In this lush red colour lies the health-enhancing and anti-ageing substance known as lycopene, a carotenoid. It is present in fully mature fruits.

In waging war against cancer and heart disease, nutrients in tomato have played vital roles. For instance, lycopene is known to be active in preventing breast cancer prevalent in women and lower the incidence of prostrate cancer in men. Research has shown that for men, it is particularly so for those who eat as much an eight tomato berries per day.

The inherent properties of the fruit as a rich source of anti-oxidants add zest to living a longer life. The protection given the heart and the wellbeing of the blood circulation are some reasons to associate the fruit with longevity and anti-ageing.

Tomato’s beta-carotene has the capability of converting to vitamin A, while parading vitamins C and E as well to boost the immune system. It is interesting to note that its low sodium salt content and high potassium level make for lower blood pressure and fluid retention.

Another way of enjoying tomato is by garnishing meals with tomato ketchup. Ketchup is a preparation of cooked, strained tomato source, vinegar, sugar, salt, onion or garlic, flavours, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger or cayenne

Of a certain number of elderly people dedicated to eating tomatoes, according to a research finding, only half were found to come down with cancer in comparison with those who were not regular consumers.
The all-year round availability of the fruit makes it a must-have on the dinning table.

Four Ways To Lower Blood Pressure
THE systolic and diastolic blood pressure reading of man should ideally be 120/80 irrespective of age. If arteries are blocked or blood vessel is too thick, the pressure increases, although blood pressure has been found to increase with age. Here are ways to lower your blood pressure.

Increase intake of magnesium. Same should go for minerals like calcium and potassium. Any deficiency in these can increase the muscular pressure.

Keep the consumption of common salt (sodium choride) to the barest minimum. Excess salt can increase muscular pressure as well.
Thin the blood using vitamin E. A combination of vitamin E and Omega-3 fish oils has proved quite effective, even in very short periods. Eat foods rich in vitamin E and oily fish.

Vitamin C helps to stop arterial tissue from hardening, another reason for high blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables provide very rich source of vitamins.