Next time you savor the aroma of a fresh marinara sauce you can rest assured - it's not only your nose that's reaping the benefits.
Antioxidants and skin care is nothing new. Premium anti aging moisturizers are rich in antioxidants for their healing and skin regenerating properties as well as for their ability to fight the effects of environmental free radicals.
As fabulous as these skin products are, beautiful fresh skin thrives not only on nutrient rich topical ingredients, but also on tomatoes!
Tomatoes?
Say what you want about the lowly tomato, but the fact remains - it's hard to beat when it comes to beautiful skin health.
Tomatoes contain remarkable levels of lycopene. Now while this may not be of interest unless you’re a chemist, studies have shown that lycopene actually protects the skin from sunburn. What could be more beautiful than that!
Seriously, in a study performed by the universities of Manchester and Newcastle in England, volunteers were fed 10 grams of olive oil and 5 tablespoons of tomato paste daily. A second group was fed only the olive oil. After three months researchers discovered that the group that received the tomato paste exhibited 25% more sunburn protection than the group that received only olive oil.
And as if that wasn't enough, those same volunteers displayed higher levels of collagen. Collagen is the protein that gives skin its firmness. Less collagen means more sagging and more wrinkles.
The lycopene found in tomatoes is also a powerful antioxidant. Tomatoes also contain impressive amounts of vitamin C, another super antioxidant that is considered vital to collagen production. Speaking of vitamin C, the high content found in tomatoes makes them a serious fat burner food to boot!
Talk about antioxidants and skin health, tomatoes also contain flavonoids, plant nutrients that have antioxidant qualities of their own. Flavonoids - also found in green tea and red wine - help fight anti aging in part by helping to repair cell damage.
A note for "lazy" cooks … the flavonoids are found in the skin of the tomato. Now how's that for a perfect reason not to "peel" the tomatoes!
Here's a good basic process for roasting tomatoes. Use them in soups, with beans and legumes, or on sandwiches. Antioxidants and skin have never been better matched!
Roasted Tomatoes
6 plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
1/3 cup olive oil
1tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
Toss the ingredients together and place in a shallow baking dish, cut sides up. Bake at 450° for 30 - 35 minutes until there are brown patches.
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