Everyone enjoys a warm bowl of soup, particularly as the cold weather moves in. Tomato soup is a classic favorite when it comes to the many soup flavors and recipes available today. Apart from being delicious, tomato soup also offers unique health benefits.
Tomato Soup is Jam-Packed with Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that help clear free radicals from the body and reduce inflammation. Tomato soup is a rich source of antioxidants, including lycopene, flavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, and more. These compounds help reduce oxidative stress and cell damage due to free radical buildup in the body.
Tomato Soup Is Nutritious
The nutritional value of your food is always important to consider. The human body requires essential nutrients to stay balanced and healthy. Luckily, tomato soup is not only delicious but also nutritious!
Tomatoes are rich in fiber, protein, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin K, and potassium. These are all integral nutrients for good health. Tomatoes also provide about 80% of the daily value of lycopene, an important antioxidant.
Moreover, some research suggests lycopene is better absorbed by the body when it is cooked first, making tomato soup an even more robust antioxidant source than raw tomatoes.
Tomato Soup May Have Cancer-Fighting Qualities
Tomato soup is tasty and nutritious… and could possibly fight harmful cancer cells from forming in your body! Tomatoes are well-researched for their cellular protection, due to the high volume of lycopene they provide. Studies have found a direct connection between the consumption of tomatoes and a reduced prostate cancer risk.
Some studies suggest that lycopene may be able to kill cancer cells after they’ve formed. Consuming lycopene is also connected with a reduced risk of breast cancer formation. Generally, the antioxidant compounds found in tomatoes have a strong connection to a decreased cancer risk, across many forms of cancer cells.
Tomato Soup Facilitates Healthy Vision and Skin
The beta-carotene and lycopene found in tomato soup have benefits for your vision health. Tomato soup is also rich in vitamin A, known to improve vision. The regular consumption of tomatoes has been correlated with a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration. The nutrients and antioxidants found in tomato soup help maintain healthy eyesight.
Your skin also benefits from the beta-carotene and lycopene found in tomato soup. These compounds help protect the skin from sunburn and damage from free radicals.
Tomato Soup Can Protect Your Bones
Studies have shown that lycopene plays an essential role in regulating bone metabolism and bone density. The high levels of lycopene found in tomato soup can help keep your bones strong, and protect against age-related bone disorders, like osteoporosis.
Conclusion
Who knew that your favorite cold-weather meal had so many health benefits? Tomato soup is easy to make and eat, while providing impressive health benefits, like cancer prevention, vision support, and bone protection. So, next time you are craving soup, try tomato soup for an extra health boost!
