Avocados and tomatoes make a strong dietary duo that gives rather more than nice taste. In line with researchers at Ohio State College, combining the wholesome fat in avocados with tomatoes can enhance the physique’s absorption of lycopene — the potent antioxidant in tomatoes — by as much as 4 occasions.
What’s Lycopene
Lycopene is a tetraterpene carotenoids compound. It’s soluble in fats, however insoluble in water. It’s a highly effective antioxidant and pure pigment that offers tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, and different purple or pink fruits their vibrant shade. It helps shield the physique’s cells from harm attributable to dangerous molecules referred to as free radicals.
Research counsel that lycopene could decrease the chance of sure cancers, particularly prostate most cancers, and help coronary heart well being by decreasing irritation and enhancing levels of cholesterol. As a result of it’s fat-soluble, lycopene is healthier absorbed when eaten with wholesome fat, like these present in avocados or olive oil.
How do avocados improve the absorption of lycopene?
Avocados are wealthy in Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), a sort of wholesome fats present in meals like olive oil, avocados, and sure nuts and seeds. They assist decrease dangerous levels of cholesterol, cut back the chance of coronary heart illness, and help general well being. Additionally they assist within the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like nutritional vitamins and antioxidants.
Avocados and tomatoes are an ideal dietary match that go far past simply tasting good collectively. Researchers at Ohio State College discovered that if you mix the wholesome fat in avocados with tomatoes, the physique can take in as much as 4 occasions extra lycopene, a strong antioxidant present in tomatoes. Avocados are wealthy in monounsaturated fat, which not solely assist increase lycopene absorption but additionally help wholesome levels of cholesterol and general coronary heart well being.
What further vitamins do tomatoes and avocados comprise?
Tomatoes additionally comprise different essential vitamins like vitamin C, potassium, and folate, which work collectively to strengthen your immune system. In the meantime, avocados present fiber, vitamin Okay, and folate, contributing to higher digestion and mind well being. Combining these two meals creates a nutrient-dense dish that helps many facets of well being, from decreasing irritation to defending cells in opposition to oxidative harm.
Serving suggestions:
Including avocados to a recent tomato salad, salsa, or perhaps a easy sandwich is a simple solution to improve the dietary content material of your meals. This mixture additionally promotes satiety, serving to you are feeling full longer and doubtlessly supporting weight administration targets. Furthermore, the creamy texture of avocado enhances the juicy tang of tomatoes, making meals extra satisfying and flavorful.
Incorporating this duo into your eating regimen generally is a scrumptious solution to harness nature’s synergy for higher well being. By having fun with avocados and tomatoes collectively, you not solely get the very best of each worlds in style but additionally unlock higher well being advantages than consuming them alone.