Author: Victoria Aly
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
In this article, learn more about Green Tomatoes - Very Useful In Small Quantities. Green tomatoes are not inferior in usefulness to their well-ripened brethren..
In autumn, when the sun is no longer strong enough for crops to ripen, we can very easily find green tomatoes . Although not as tasty as the ripe ones, green tomatoes are not inferior to them in terms of useful ingredients and health benefits .
It is important to note one important feature. Consumption of raw green tomatoes should be avoided because they contain substances that in large quantities can have a toxic effect. However, these substances are quickly neutralized in the process of heat treatment or fermentation of green tomatoes. The good thing is that there are a number of ways to cook these vegetables by including them in the composition of very tasty dishes. And pickles are just one example from the rather large list.
Green tomatoes are rich in vitamins from almost all groups and substances that the body uses for their synthesis (so-called provitamins ). For example, the amount of beta-carotene, also known as provitamin A, is high because the body synthesizes vitamin A from it. The content of vitamin C and B-complex in green tomatoes is also high. To these we can add the relatively rare vitamin K. This composition provides a powerful antioxidant effect , but this does not exhaust the benefits of eating green tomatoes.
The trace elements iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and manganese are also taken into account in their composition , although in not so high doses. The great advantage of green tomatoes in this aspect is not the quantitative but the qualitative content of their composition.
Another advantage of green tomatoes is the very low caloric content and high content of protein and fiber . Thus, they simultaneously saturate and bring health benefits without provoking the risk of obesity.
Alas, it may turn out that the greatest health benefits of consuming green tomatoes come from substances whose excessive intake can be both dangerous and dangerous. The alkaloid tomatin is found in the composition of unripe tomatoes , which helps them to protect themselves from pathogenic microorganisms during the ripening process. Laboratory studies of its effect show that it can inhibit the growth of tumors. The effect is due to blocking the development of cancer cells , especially in cases of breast, colon or stomach cancer. Unfortunately, tomato alkaloids are toxic at high doses, so green tomatoes should only be eaten fermented or cooked.