The tomato is a vegetable native to the area of South America, came to Europe in 1540 thanks to Hernan Cortes, arriving in Italy in 1596 and became from then on a must of Italian cuisine. Deep red color and the heady scent deserves for the title of "red gold", the French pomme d'amour the appeal and also in certain area of Sicily has been used to call "Puma d'Amuri".
It is said that after its introduction in Europe Sir Walter Raleigh was donated to the Queen Elizabeth a plant rich of its delicious red fruits, naming it as apples of love (love apple). The tomato so it would be recognized around the world for its beneficial properties, it is rich in vitamins, mineral salts, and which certainly will please many, contain few calories. It is a light food, mineralizing, refreshing, high-density nutrition containing water (94%); Proteins (not exceeding 1%); Fat (0.2%); Carbohydrates (2.8%) and consisted largely of fructose and glucose.
This prodigious vegetable has recently been the subject of study for researchers of the China Medical University in Taiwan, aimed at identifying the effects of tomato on chronic inflammation of the adipose tissue, something which is common in obesity.
The experiment was attended by 30 women aged between 20 and 30 years with a body mass index greater than or equal to 20. The participants were followed for two months their usual diet to which, however, has been added to the juice tomato, specifically 280 ml per day containing 32.5 mg of lycopene, a substance belonging to the family of carotenoids with strong antioxidant properties.
The results recorded by researchers in Taiwan were really interesting, it is in fact a double phenomenon occurred, on the one hand the decrease of 22% of the markers of inflammation of the adipose tissue and on the other hand an increase of 25% of a hormone that regulates insulin sensitivity, adiponectin. Based on this evidence it can be said that daily consumption of tomato juice would help to reduce waist circumference, decrease cholesterol levels and those of inflammatory adipokines in young healthy women, these valid reasons to include in our daily eating habits a tasty and beneficial tomato juice.
And why not, maybe a "Virgin Mary":
Ingredients
- 12 cl of tomato juice
- 2 cl lemon juice
- 2 drops of Worchester sauce
- 4 drops of Tabasco
- 1 lime
- Lemon zest
- Salt q.s.
Preparation
Put in lowball the lime slices and ice cubes; add the tomato juice, lemon, Tabasco and Worcester sauce; add salt, stir and garnish with lemon zest.
Enjoy your meal!
Andrea Busalacchi
