9. Tomatoes
Tomatoes originated in South America, and were a popular ingredient in Aztec civilizations. Tomatoes have since become an incredibly popular addition to most cuisines, in fact, almost 130 million tons of tomatoes are eaten every year. The tomato comes from the plant Lycopersicon esculentum and is botanically considered both a fruit and a berry. There are a number of different tomatoes, such as Roma, cherry, grape, heirloom and truss tomatoes, though all contain many different health benefits.
Tomatoes are believed to decrease the risk of things like heart disease, hypertension, macular degeneration, constipation, diabetes and some forms of cancer. They contain a wide array of essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, biotin, molybdenum, vitamin K, potassium, copper, manganese, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B6, B3 and B1, folate, phosphorus, vitamin E, magnesium, chromium, iron, zinc, choline, pantothenic acid and protein. On top of all that, they also contain a myriad of phytonutrients like caffeic acid, lycopene, lutein, beta-carotene, naringenin, chalcone naringenin and ferulic acid.
Tomatoes are an effective treatment for different skin problems too, and have the ability to shrink the appearance of large pores, reduce acne breakouts and control excessive oiliness. Tomato can also treat sunburn by cooling inflammation and neutralizing the surface of the skin.
There are a variety of different ways to use tomato in your skincare regime. They’re great when mixed with honey, yogurt and/or avocado, and you can even make your own tomato toner by juicing two tomatoes up in a blender and putting it in the freezer for five minutes to cool it. Then just dip a clean cotton ball into the mixture once it’s nice and cold, and apply it over your face.