Here’s a bonus benefit that might surprise you: tomatoes can help protect your skin from sun damage.
While you should never skip sunscreen, research suggests that lycopene offers extra defense against harmful UV rays. On top of that, the vitamin C in tomatoes encourages collagen production, which keeps skin supple, elastic, and youthful-looking.
Ezoic
It’s a beauty boost and a health benefit, all in one bite.
Fresh or Cooked? The Answer Might Surprise You
Fresh tomatoes are wonderful for salads and sandwiches, but cooking them can actually increase the availability of lycopene in your body. Heating breaks down cell walls in the tomato, releasing more of this antioxidant.
Pairing cooked tomatoes with a healthy fat like extra virgin olive oil — think homemade marinara sauce or a slow-roasted tomato side dish — can help your body absorb even more lycopene. Just be mindful of added salt and sugar in store-bought sauces.
A Few Precautions
