Orange tomatoes healthier than red

[bully]

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/article...sid=28&sid=ENV



Orange tomatoes are healthier than red ones
Washington, Feb 28: Though red tomatoes contain ‘lycopene’, a disease-fighting antioxidant that gives it the colour, a special variety of orange-coloured tomatoes provide a different form of ‘lycopene’, one that our bodies may more readily accept.

Researchers found that eating spaghetti covered in sauce made from these orange tomatoes, called Tangerine tomatoes, caused a noticeable boost in this form of lycopene in participants` blood.

"While red tomatoes contain far more lycopene than orange tomatoes, most of it is in a form that the body doesn`t absorb well," said Steven Schwartz, the study`s lead author and a professor of food science and technology at Ohio State University.

"The people in the study actually consumed less lycopene when they ate sauce made from the orange tomatoes, but they absorbed far more lycopene than they would have if it had come from red tomatoes," he added.

The tomatoes used for this work were developed specifically for the study - these particular varieties aren`t readily available in grocery stores. The researchers suggest that interested consumers seek out orange- and gold-coloured heirloom tomatoes as an alternative to Tangerine tomatoes, but caution that they haven`t tested how much or what kind of lycopene these varieties contain.

Lycopene belongs to a family of antioxidants called the carotenoids, which give certain fruits and vegetables their distinctive colours. Carotenoids are thought to have a number of health benefits, such as reducing the risk of developing cancer, cardiovascular disease and macular degeneration.

"The tomato is a wonderful biosynthetic factory for carotenoids, and scientists are working on ways to enhance the fruit`s antioxidant content and composition," Schwartz continued.

Several years ago, Schwartz and his colleagues discovered the abundance of several of these isomers, called cis- lycopenes, in human blood. But most of the tomatoes and tomato-based products we currently consume are rich in all-trans*-lycopene.

"We don`t know why our bodies seem to transform lycopene into cis-isomers, or if some isomers are more beneficial than others," Schwartz said.

The researchers don`t know if tomatoes rich in cis-lycopene would provide greater health benefits to humans, but the study`s results suggest that tomatoes can be used to increase both the intake and absorption of the health-beneficial compounds.

The researchers made spaghetti sauce from two tomato varieties - tangerine tomatoes, which get their name from their orange skin and are high in cis-lycopene, and a tomato variety chosen for its rich beta carotene content.

The tomatoes were grown at an Ohio State-affiliated agricultural research station in northwestern Ohio. Following harvest, both tomato varieties were immediately processed into canned tomato juice and concentrated. Italian seasoning was added for taste.

The participants` bodies also readily absorbed beta carotene from the beta carotene-rich tomatoes.

"Right now, only carrots and sweet potatoes are a more readily available, richer source of beta carotene," Schwartz said.

"And this carotenoid is a major source of vitamin A for a large proportion of the world`s population. Its deficiency is a serious health problem in many developing countries,’ he added.

The findings appear in a recent issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Bureau Report

[garnetmoth]

Very cool Mr. Bully- Thanks for sharing!

[jenn_sc]

We should all grow rainbow colors of tomatoes every year then all of our bases will be covered!
Later when the discover good stuff in greens, or blacks, or yellows, etc...we'll all just smile because we've been getting the good stuff all along!

Thanks for sharing that Bully!

Jennifer,

growing Orange Heirloom and Tom's Yellow Wonder this year

[bydsign]

I heard this too and instantly thought about Orange heirloom
and Kellog's Breakfast.

But I still like the flavor of the Brandywine varieties the BEST!

[GreenThumbGal_07]

This is why I saved seed from Wispy Critter: it's a tangerine mutant tomato*, the same type as mentioned in the article above.

GTG

*Tomato Genetics Resource Center/University of California at Davis identified it as such from pictures I sent them.

[uno]

Thanks for posting that Bully!!

I have a strong family history of prostate cancer and I'm trying to keep myself and my dad clear of it if I can.

I read all the info on lycopene and I was under the impression that it was only found in red tomatoes.

This made me want to grow almost exclusively red tomatoes.

Now after reading what bully posted I realize not only do orange tomatoes contain lycopene...it might even be better absorbed!

I feel now like I did back in the 90's when beta carotene was all the rage until they found all the other carotinoids!

Jennifer has the right idea unlike myself. You don't go limiting yourself to one color you eat a rainbow of colors of tomatoes and that gives you the best nutrition!

Jim

[feldon30]

I don't make sweeping nutritional decisions based on individual research articles, because they tend to contradict each other. Just go back over several years and pretty much any claim has been challenged. Almost every time researchers have been "sure" of something, it's been proven wrong several years later. Remember the cranberry scares? The red food dye scares?

Look at the recent articles about the dangers of multivitamins. I mean COME ON! This is after years and years of everyone saying you should take multivitamins packed with every antioxidant under the sun.

I take all things in moderation. I do take a liquid multivitamin every once in a while, which gives me an energy boost and does make me feel better overall, and when I feel a cold coming on, I do take about 2,000mg of Vitamin C, which really does seem to help.

I view all nutritionists with suspicion.

[sirtanon]

Just keep in mind that lycopene is OIL-SOLUBLE and that cooking releases a lot of it, MUCH more than if you just at the tomato raw. Thus, if you cook the tomato down into a sauce along with plenty of olive oil, you'll body will be able to absorb a much lycopene as it could possibly need.