Is Tomatoes Inflammatory?
Tomatoes has an inflammation score of 3/10, making it anti-inflammatory. This food actively helps reduce inflammation in your body.
Why Is Tomatoes Anti-Inflammatory?
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives them their red color. Cooking tomatoes increases lycopene bioavailability significantly.
Key Anti-Inflammatory Properties
- Rich in lycopene, a powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidant
- Good source of vitamins C and K
- Cooking increases lycopene availability
- May support heart health
- Low in calories and versatile in cooking
Things to Watch Out For
- Nightshade vegetable — may aggravate autoimmune conditions
- Can trigger acid reflux in susceptible people
- Canned varieties may contain BPA
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Key Nutrients in Tomatoes
Tomatoes contains several notable nutrients that influence its inflammatory profile:
Serving Recommendation
Recommended Serving Size
1 medium tomato (123g)
Tips
Cooked tomatoes (sauce, paste) provide more lycopene than raw. Pair with olive oil for better lycopene absorption. Choose BPA-free canned tomatoes when possible.
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About Tomatoes and Inflammation
Understanding how tomatoes affects inflammation is important for anyone following an anti-inflammatory diet. With an inflammation score of 3 out of 10, tomatoes is classified as anti-inflammatory in the Flammy food database.
Including tomatoes as part of a balanced anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce chronic inflammation, which is linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and certain cancers. The anti-inflammatory compounds in tomatoes work by reducing inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
The inflammation score is based on a comprehensive analysis of the food's nutritional profile, including its fatty acid composition, glycemic impact, antioxidant content, and the presence of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory compounds. Scores range from 1 (most anti-inflammatory) to 10 (most inflammatory).