Tomatoes are tasty, healthy, and versatile fruit.

They are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients that help maintain a healthy body, but did you know that tomatoes also have cancer-fighting properties? Lycopene, the pigment that gives tomatoes their bright red color, is known to reduce the risk of several types of cancer. However, you can supercharge your tomatoes’ cancer-fighting abilities by following several tips and tricks that we will discuss in this article.

1. Choose the Right Tomato Variety

When it comes to cancer-fighting tomatoes, not all varieties are created equal. The best tomato varieties for cancer-fighting abilities are those that are high in lycopene. These include San Marzano, Roma, and Cherry tomatoes.

These tomatoes have a high concentration of lycopene, making them perfect for fighting cancer.

2. Go Organic

Organic tomatoes are free from harmful pesticides and chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer. They are also grown in soil that is rich in nutrients, making them more nutritious and better able to fight cancer.

So, choose organic tomatoes whenever possible and enjoy the health benefits they offer.

3. Grow Your Own Tomatoes

Growing your own tomatoes is a great way to ensure that they are free from harmful chemicals and pesticides. You can also choose the seeds of the right tomato varieties that are high in lycopene and plant them in nutrient-rich soil.

Growing your own tomatoes is also a great way to save money while enjoying fresh, healthy, and cancer-fighting tomatoes.

4. Eat Tomatoes with Healthy Fats

Lycopene, the cancer-fighting compound in tomatoes, is fat-soluble. This means that it is better absorbed by the body when consumed with healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, or nuts.

So, next time you eat tomatoes, drizzle them with some olive oil or serve them with some avocado to boost their cancer-fighting abilities.

5. Cook Your Tomatoes

Cooking tomatoes can actually increase their cancer-fighting abilities. When tomatoes are cooked, the heat breaks down the cell walls, making it easier for the body to absorb the lycopene.

So, cooked tomatoes, like tomato sauce or tomato paste, are even more effective in fighting cancer than raw tomatoes.

6. Pair Tomatoes with Other Cancer-Fighting Foods

Tomatoes are great on their own, but they are even better when paired with other cancer-fighting foods like broccoli, garlic, and onions.

These foods contain compounds that work together with the lycopene in tomatoes to fight cancer and boost overall health. So, add some garlic and onion to your tomato sauce or enjoy a salad with tomatoes and broccoli for maximum cancer-fighting benefits.

7. Don’t Overcook Your Tomatoes

While cooking tomatoes can increase their cancer-fighting abilities, overcooking them can actually break down the lycopene and reduce its effectiveness.

So, cook your tomatoes lightly, and avoid overcooking them to ensure that you get the maximum cancer-fighting benefits.

8. Eat Tomatoes Regularly

To get the full cancer-fighting benefits of tomatoes, you need to eat them regularly. Aim to eat at least 1-2 servings of tomatoes per day, whether it’s fresh, cooked, or canned tomatoes.

By making tomatoes a regular part of your diet, you’ll be boosting your body’s cancer-fighting abilities and improving your overall health.

9. Store Tomatoes Properly

To keep your tomatoes fresh and maximize their cancer-fighting abilities, it’s important to store them properly. Store your tomatoes at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture.

Don’t store tomatoes in the refrigerator, as this can reduce their flavor and texture. Use your tomatoes within a week of purchasing them for the best flavor and health benefits.

10. Enjoy Tomatoes in Different Forms

There are many ways to enjoy tomatoes, and trying different forms of them can help you get more cancer-fighting benefits. You can enjoy fresh tomatoes in a salad, cook them into a pasta sauce, or add them to a soup.

You can also drink tomato juice, which is high in lycopene, or enjoy canned tomatoes, which are just as nutritious as fresh tomatoes.

Conclusion

Tomatoes are a delicious and healthy food that can also help fight cancer.

By choosing the right tomato variety, eating organic, growing your own, pairing them with other cancer-fighting foods, and enjoying them in different forms, you can supercharge their cancer-fighting abilities. Try incorporating these tips and tricks into your diet and enjoy the many health benefits that tomatoes have to offer.