Super source
Vitamin A
58.7 μg · 7% DV target
A versatile and juicy fruit vegetable that provides a foundational umami base for global cuisines, the tomato is a primary source of protective dietary carotenoids.
Regular consumption of tomatoes and tomato products is consistently linked to improved heart health, including a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality . These benefits are largely attributed to lycopene (a carotenoid pigment with antioxidant properties) and its ability to lower LDL cholesterol and improve blood vessel function .3459
Tomato intake may help maintain healthy blood flow by supporting normal platelet aggregation (the process of blood cells clumping together), which helps prevent excessive clotting .10
While tomatoes are a primary source of lycopene, systematic reviews of prospective cohort studies have found no significant association between total or raw tomato consumption and a reduced risk of prostate, breast, or overall cancers .28
Early research suggests that specific tomato components may protect against DNA damage in cells and reduce oxidative stress following high-fat meals, though these effects are often studied using concentrated tomato extracts or drinks .57
Petal shape shows the nine FoodCompass domains, including nutrient density, processing, satiety, fats, and phytochemicals.
58.7 μg · 7% DV target
19.4 mg · 22% DV target
Seasonality has not been estimated for this ingredient yet.
Keeps flavor and texture better than refrigeration
Impact is significantly higher for hothouse-grown tomatoes compared to field-grown varieties.
Botanically a fruit but legally classified as a vegetable in the United States since an 1893 Supreme Court ruling, tomatoes were once feared as poisonous 'lead apples' by European aristocrats.