It is not news that cherry tomato is healthy food. Its properties include its low content of calories, carbohydrates, and high antioxidants.
However, you may be wondering if eating a lot of cherry tomatoes is fattening. If they have more calories than the typical tomato, or if you are trying to cut down on carbohydrates in your diet, how many can you eat per day?
This article analyzes the properties of the cherry tomato in 100 grams, its amount of calories, carbohydrates, and other essential nutrients.
Cherry tomato: What is it?
The cherry tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) is a fruit of the Solanaceae family. The origin of this fruit is the South American continent, particularly Peru.
The term tomato comes from the Aztec tomato, the first civilization that included this food in its production. The cherry tomato was later introduced in Spain and cultivated in botanical gardens in the country’s south. (2)
The cherry tomato is considered a variety of small tomato, a low-calorie fruit with low carbohydrate content.
Nutrients, carbohydrates, and calories in 100 g of cherry tomatoes
100 g of cherry tomatoes provide only 18 kilocalories. Therefore this is one of the ideal fruits for people in weight loss processes. Glucose and fructose are the main carbohydrates of cherry tomatoes.
The properties of cherry tomato are its low content of calories and carbohydrates. But its high content of vitamin C and lycopene. Additionally, cherry tomatoes are high in vitamin K, vitamin A, and trace minerals.
Regarding the contribution of proteins, it is not a food that stands out; they provide only 1 gram per 100. The nutrients and properties of cherry tomato are:
Water | 94.5 g |
Calories | 18 Kcal |
Protein | 0.9 g |
Total fat | 0.2 g |
Carbohydrates | 3.9 g |
Total fiber | 1.2 g |
Total sugars | 2.6 g |
Minerals | |
Football | 10 mg |
Iron | 0.3 mg |
Magnesium | 11 mg |
Match | 24 mg |
Potassium | 237 mg |
Sodium | 5 mg |
Zinc | 0.2 mg |
Vitamins | |
C vitamin | 14 mg |
Thiamine | 0.04 mg |
Riboflavin | 0.02 mg |
Niacin | 0.6 mg |
Vitamin B6 | 0.08 |
Folate | 15 |
Vitamin A | 42 |
Vitamin E | 0.5 |
Vitamina K | 7.9 |
Table of nutritional value of cherry tomato (100 g). Source: USDA
Properties and health benefits
The cherry tomato is a nutritious and low-calorie food. Also, consuming cherry tomatoes regularly can have potential health benefits. The properties and uses of cherry tomato are:
- Low-calorie content and lots of vitamin C
The cherry tomato is a fruit with a low calorie content and high in vitamin C. This vitamin is found in greater concentration in the gelatinous substance surrounding cherry tomatoes. (3) The benefits of these properties of cherry tomato are to prevent the wear of free radicals.
- It is a low carbohydrate fruit.
The cherry tomato is a low carbohydrate fruit . If you are trying to reduce carbohydrates to lose weight , incorporating cherry tomatoes in your meals is a simple and effective solution to provide vitamins without going out of your diet.
- Contains high content of lycopene
Lycopene’s a unique component in cherry tomatoes. They are the ones that give it the characteristic red color. Lycopenes are a type of carotenes with antioxidant properties. Its effect is 10 times more significant than other classic antioxidants such as vitamin E . (4)
There is enough scientific evidence to confirm the effects of lycopene on hormonal communication, strengthening the immune system, and enhancing metabolic processes. (4)
- It can improve the cardiovascular system
Some studies have shown that one of the benefits of cherry tomato could be to improve the cardiovascular system. There appears to be a synergistic anti-inflammatory action of lycopene and healthy fats . (1,4)
For this reason, to enhance the properties of the cherry tomato, it is advisable to combine this fruit with natural oils such as coconut oil .
- It can decrease the probability of having Alzheimer
In tomato, the concentrations of Zeaxanthin and Lutein are high. The incorporation of these two molecules is related to benefits such as a lower probability of Alzheimer and other degenerative diseases. Even pharmaceutical companies have isolated these molecules for use as treatments. (5)
- Can improve skin health
There is enough evidence to say that eating cherry tomatoes on a regular basis 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)
- Contribution of vegetable fiber
The cherry tomato provides 1 gram of vegetable fiber per 100 grams of product and only 18 KCal. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that does not provide calories and has several benefits, such as improving the digestion process.
Does cherry tomato make you fat?
It cannot be said that the cherry tomato is fattening. We remember that weight gain is achieved with a positive calorie balance.
The cherry tomato is a food made up of water. The amount of calories in cherry tomatoes is low.
In addition, the balance of macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins and fats. in this fruit is good.
Even cherry tomato is one of the foods allowed in strict diets deficient in carbohydrates, such as the ketogenic diet.
How to buy cherry tomatoes?
Cherry tomatoes can be purchased at most chain supermarkets and local fairs, and organic food stores. We recommend buying the organic one.
Organic foods cannot include any synthetic product in their manufacture or production. International organizations such as the FAO consider this type of production to solve the current problems of ecology and sustainability. (6)
In all its varieties, the tomato is the leading fruit in consumption in the world. The primary tomato producers are China, the European Union, the United States, and Turkey. The tomato industry is one of the most advanced in the world. The reduction of CO2 emissions that its production implies is an emerging concern in ecology. (7)
ABSTRACT
The cherry tomato is a fruit native to the South American continent, particularly in the Andean areas.
The cherry tomato provides only 18 kilocalories per 100 g. Due to its low content of carbohydrates (carbohydrates), it is a fruit allowed in a low carb diet.
Among the properties of cherry tomato, its lycopene content stands out.
Another of its properties is its high content of vitamin C, so it should be incorporated, especially in those who carry out a vegetarian diet.
We recommend buying organic cherry tomatoes from local producers. This is a way to avoid using and consuming pesticides and fertilizers. As well as reducing CO2 emissions on the planet.