Organic Tomatoes Can Help Prevent Depression

Organic tomatoes are considered among the healthiest natural foods. Packed with lycopenes, organic tomatoes can provide everyone of us with amazing natural protection against most types of cancer. The same property is attributed not only to fresh organic tomatoes, but to cooked tomatoes as well, as the experts the University of Portsmouth managed to find out. According to the findings of a recent study by an expert group from the Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition at the University of Eastern Finland daily consumption of tomatoes in moderate amounts is linked to reduce risk for stroke, especially in men. High concentrations of lycopenes were linked to reduced levels of bad cholesterol, as well as lower risk for stroke and other serious cardiovascular diseases. There were plenty of studies and researches bringing up scientific evidence of the multitude of organic tomato benefits for all of us.

One more interesting property of organic tomatoes was recently found and reported by the scientists earlier this week. A group of scientists from Japan and China recommend consuming organic tomatoes 2-6 times a week as an excellent natural remedy to prevent depression. At that, no one of the plenty of other fresh organic fruits and vegetables which were thoroughly studied and analyzed during the research had similar properties to lower the risk for depression, the Chinese group of experts reported. This way, organic tomatoes can take their place among other numerous natural solutions and herbal remedies for depression, which include true natural stress relievers like ginkgo biloba or St. John’s Wart, as well as known natural relaxants and sleep promoters like valerian root, passionflower, or other medicinal herbs.

The scientists came to the mentioned conclusion after analyzing the data collected on over 1,000 aging people, men and women, who were selected since they were quite prone to depressions due to the problem of aging, health decline and loneliness. Those of the participants who consumed organic tomatoes 4-6 times a week reported about feeling less depressed and enjoying optimistic thoughts, and the scientists estimated that such consumption of organic tomatoes is linked to up to 46 per cent lower risk for depression. Along with tomatoes, the consumption of such organic foods as pumpkins, onions, carrots, cabbage, and others was analyzed, and it turned out that only tomatoes have these unique natural effects which can be used by many modern people who are in search for new natural ways to prevent depression and enjoy this life in its full beauty.

According to  Dr Kaijun Niu from China’s Tianjin Medical University, one of the study leaders and the authors of the report which was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the discovered effects of organic tomatoes should be attributed to high concentrations of lycopenes in these natural foods. It seems that these compounds have positive effects not only on physical but also on psychological health of people. The expert said that lycopenes also had positive effects on healthy brain cells by reducing oxidative stress, this way work for toning our brain function,and preventing psychological disorders like depression and many others. This hypothesis is confirmed by the absence of similar effects in other healthy veggies, which are also free from lycopenes or have too small amounts of this natural compound.

Dr. Niu said that in some people, daily consumption of organic tomatoes can reduce risk for depression even up to 52 per cent, depending on other factors that play a role for developing depression and related conditions. It is estimated that every one of five people in the UK is currently suffering from quite heavy forms of depression. Teenagers and aging people are at the highest risk, since they are forced to face additional challenges and difficulties linked to their age. ‘These results suggest that a tomato-rich diet may have a beneficial effect on the prevention of depressive symptoms,” Dr. Niu commented on the findings of the expert group. Those who want to find more detailed information about the objective, methods and the findings of the study by Chinese and Japanese scientists can check out the report in this online resource.

Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.

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