Tomatoes belonging to the Solanaceae family are characterized by their red flesh and are fruits and vegetables with characteristics similar to those of fruits. The unique red color of tomatoes is rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, and is recognized for its excellent value as a source of vitamins and minerals. Tomatoes were selected as one of the top 10 superfoods in the world by Time magazine in 2002 for their excellent nutritional value. Tomatoes are divided into various types such as cherry tomatoes, large tomatoes, and black tomatoes, and it is said that more than 5,000 varieties are grown around the world. A white tomato is a type of tomato, and it is characterized by a white color unlike a typical red tomato. It is said to be a natural variety that was originally cultivated in the Middle East, not a variety that was improved to give it a characteristic white color. It is also known to have a variety of beneficial effects on the body as it contains more carotenoid-based components than regular tomatoes. So, from now on, let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of white tomatoes.
Main Benefits of White Tomatoes
White tomatoes are said to have an excellent effect in blocking UV rays to the extent that they are called an edible sunscreen. Ultraviolet light is invisible light with a shorter wavelength than visible light, and is divided into various types such as UV-A and UV-B. When exposed to strong UV rays for a long time, it can cause freckles and wrinkles, and it can act on the skin’s immune system and cause skin damage due to skin aging. In particular, UV-B, a type of ultraviolet light, activates provitamin D in the skin and converts it to vitamin D, which is essential for the human body. However, excessive exposure also increases the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.
White tomatoes are rich in carotenoids, a natural pigment known to block both UV-A and UV-B ultraviolet rays. It is said that these carotenoids are high in the form of colorless carotenoid pigments phytoene and phytofluene. These phytoene and phytofluene components are known as precursors of the lycopene component, the core component of tomatoes, and are present in the human body such as skin, blood, and internal tissues. Because it is difficult to synthesize in the body, it is said that it can only be synthesized through food intake. It is said that red tomatoes contain small amounts of phytoene and phytofluene, which have been transformed into lycopene. Compared to red tomatoes, white tomatoes contain 5 times more phytoene and 4 times more phytofluene.
The abundant phytoene and phytofluene components in white tomatoes are effective in preventing the formation of melanin, which causes freckles and blemishes, and at the same time, have an excellent effect in inhibiting skin photo-oxidation and photo-aging. It is also said to have a good effect on the skin whitening effect by improving the skin tone even and brightening with its powerful antioxidant action. According to actual clinical papers, it is reported that a whitening effect of up to 82% was shown as a result of taking phytoene and phytofluene for 2 weeks, and another clinical result confirmed that skin irritation caused by UV rays was reduced by about 20%. There is a bar. In addition, the excellent antioxidant activity of white tomatoes is known to reduce the risk of cancer and help control body weight. Side effects to be aware of when consuming white tomatoes
Since white tomatoes are often used in powder form, it is recommended to check whether the US FDA and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are approved before purchasing in order to check the safety of the raw materials. Also, if you have a tomato-related allergy, you need to be careful when taking it because related symptoms may develop. In addition, it is important to consume an appropriate amount as it is known that excessive intake can cause side effects such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
