Dried or dehydrated tomatoes are one of the tastiest seasonings. They are used in gastronomy to give it a natural flavor and enhance the taste of the dishes.
Some claim that dehydrated tomatoes are good as one of their properties is their high antioxidant content. Others are worse than fresh because they have fewer vitamins and more carbohydrates.
This article details the nutritional properties and benefits of dehydrated tomatoes to determine if they are good or not.
// Read: dehydrated blueberries – Properties and benefits Do they have sugar?
What are dehydrated tomatoes?
Tomatoes (Solanum Lycopersicum) are a fruit of the nightshade family native to South America.
Dehydrated or dried tomatoes are fresh fruits after exposure to a dehydration process.
There are several ways to make dehydrated tomatoes. The most used is to dehydrate them naturally in the sun. This is a way in which it maintains its properties better.
Today, you can buy canned, dried tomatoes sold in most health stores. However, you can also make them at home.
// Related: How to make dehydrated tomatoes at home?
Nutritional properties of dehydrated tomatoes
Tomatoes are the primary dietary source of lycopene. A molecule with antioxidant properties has been linked to many health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.
Dried tomatoes provide 8 grams of protein and 7 of fiber. Dried tomatoes are also a great source of potassium (100 grams covers 40% of daily needs) and folic acid (11%). The nutritional properties of dried tomatoes are:
- Few calories
100 g of dehydrated tomatoes provide 140 calories. This figure is higher than frescoes, but it is still low. As with all dry fruits, in the drying process, the energy is concentrated in a smaller volume.
- Few carbohydrates
Tomato is a low carbohydrate fruit. If you are trying to reduce carbohydrates to lose weight, incorporating dried tomatoes in your meals is a simple and effective solution to provide nutrients without going out of your diet.
- A lot of fiber
Dried tomatoes provide 7 grams of vegetable fiber per 100 grams of the product. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that does not provide calories and has several benefits, such as improving the digestion process.
- Many antioxidants
Lycopene’s a unique component in dried tomatoes. They are the ones that give it the characteristic red color. Lycopene’s a type of carotene with antioxidant properties. Its effect is ten times greater than other classic antioxidants such as vitamin E . (4)
Benefits of dehydrated tomatoes
Dried tomatoes are high in molecules with antioxidant properties. The high content of lycopene and polyphenols is associated with several health benefits. The benefits of dehydrated tomatoes are:
- It can improve the cardiovascular system
Some studies suggest that one of the benefits of dried tomatoes could be to improve the cardiovascular system.
There is a synergistic anti-inflammatory action of lycopene and healthy fats. (1,4) For this reason, to enhance the properties of dehydrated tomato, it is advisable to combine it with natural oils such as coconut oil.
- It can decrease the probability of having Alzheimer’s.
In tomatoes, the concentrations of Zeaxanthin and Lutein are high. Incorporating these two molecules is related to benefits such as a lower probability of Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases. Even pharmaceutical companies have isolated these molecules for use as a form of treatment. (5)
- Can improve skin health
There is enough evidence that eating dried tomatoes regularly improves skin health. Eating 40 g of this fruit per day provides 16 mg of lycopene. This is the equivalent of preventing the effect of 8 weeks of UV exposure. (4)
- Strengthen the immune system
There is enough scientific evidence to confirm the effects of lycopene on hormonal communication, strengthening the immune system, and enhancing metabolic processes. (4)
Differences between dry and fresh
Unfortunately, in the dehydration process in dried tomatoes, a part of vitamin C is lost. This is one of the main disadvantages and differences from fresh ones.
However, it is good to know that some of its properties, such as the mineral content, is the same in dried and fresh tomatoes.
The flavor compared to fresh ones is usually more acidic and more potent. So it is an ideal food to add to sauces. As for the content of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, this does not change either.
ABSTRACT
Dried or dehydrated tomatoes are healthy food. Its flavor is more robust than fresh ones, and it is ideal for making sauces and seasoning your dishes.
Its nutritional properties include its high content of lycopene, a type of antioxidant molecule, and its low content of carbohydrates and calories.
Studies claim that the possible benefits of eating dried tomatoes are to improve the health of the skin, and the vascular system, even strengthen the immune system.
