Benefits Of Orange Tomatoes

Orange tomatoes are more nutritious than their red-skinned cousins.

Lycopenes are antioxidants. They help prevent stroke and cancer. The human body absorbs lycopene from orange tomatoes two and a half times greater than from red tomatoes.

Studies done at Ohio State University have found that the lycopene in orange tomatoes is more like the lycopene in the human body. Red tomatoes contain trans-lycopene and orange tomatoes contain cis-lycopene. Human blood contains cis-lycopene so it easier for the human body to absorb the cis-lycopene.

Cooked tomato products are best for lycopene absorption. Scientists from the Liverpool John Moores University Nutraceutical Research group have discovered that tomatoes must be cooked, with some form of oil, in order for the lycopene to become available to the human body for use.

Orange tomatoes are easy to grow in the home garden. There are both heirloom varieties and hybrids to choose from.

For the nongardener, orange tomatoes will be more likely found at farmer’s markets than in supermarkets.