Aztecs, to share with the Europeans seeds of this plant, called it "shitomatl" ("big berry"), the French, in their own way, redesigned in the "tomato", as the Italians, charmed with the beauty of the fetus, named "golden apple" - pomo d'oro, from whom the modern word "tomato".
This is one of the most common in the world of cooking foods: salads, sauces, dressings and marinades, soups and main dishes - tomatoes, in one form or another, are used in each national cuisine.As it turned out, the fruits of the plants have not only excellent taste but also protect a person from serious ailments.
overseas guests and "The Case of the tomatoes"
One wonders who met Christopher Columbus in America began to open their low bushes with bright red berries and green leaves carved.Conquistadors, among other amusing gizmos grabbed a plant with him to Europe.And the residents of the Old World, without knowing anything about the beneficial properties of "shitomatley" have not found anything better than to use them as decoration in Germany of the XVI century tomatoes took pride of place on a window sill, surpassing traditional geraniums, France wound gazebo, while in Russiagraced with his presence greenhouse noblemen.
question why the Europeans did not eat it?- The fact that one of the sailors, feeling bad, like, wrote off the malaise on the previously tried the tomato: as a result, the plant for many years it was considered poisonous.In the United States because of this, there was even entered the textbooks incident: bribed the cook tried to poison President George Washington, handing him a dish that included tomatoes.As you know, the attempt was unsuccessful.
only in the XVII century, a brave Spanish chef Antonio Latina decided to use a raw tomato and, according to legend, had prepared a salad out of it.It is assumed that the recipe came later in the Naples cookbook dated 1692 year, where the dish of tomatoes was mentioned for the first time.
Then, in the second half of the XIX century, in America, was prepared from tomato is the most popular and sold tomato product - ketchup.Original recipe sauce developed a Pittsburgh industrialist Henry J. Heinz: With his name these days most consumers associate the word "ketchup".By the way, the simple structure of a product - tomatoes, natural vinegar and spices - still has not changed since the rejection of any artificial additives were - the principled position of the company since the time of Heinz.
Then, when you try to classify tomatoes, occurred one funny story after another.Botanists have counted on the type of the fruit of their berries.Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court in 1893, adopted a formal decision on supplies of tomatoes to the vegetables.The reason for considering "Cases of tomatoes" in this high court was more than significant.Import tomatoes brothers decided to save the Knicks and presented fruit-like fruit, because the Customs Code at the time obliged to pay a fee only to imported vegetables.In response, the New York City Employee Hedden gave them to court, demanding to recognize tomatoes dutiable goods, and won the case.
interesting that the Old World in this matter decided much later - only in the XXI century: in 2001, tomatoes were the subject of consideration by European Union officials, and have been recognized ... fruit.
The rich tomatoes
How named or classified data and fruits, their use, fortunately, remains unchanged.Until recently, little attention was paid to tomatoes, but now research their medicinal components involved in the world's leading research institutes and clinics.
reason for this interest was the identification specialists properties contained in tomatoes powerful natural antioxidant lycopene, the main task - prevention of cancer.It is known that the antioxidants can counteract and neutralize free radicals, which in many cases are the cause of occurrence of one of the most dreaded diseases.
Studies have shown that one molecule of lycopene can neutralize about 13 molecules of free radicals.Once in the body, lycopene slows the development of oxidative stress and, as a result, reduces the risk of cancer, particularly ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
According to Western statistics, about 80% of lycopene ingested during use of various dishes from tomatoes.There are nutritionists recommendations compiled by the level of consumption of food and biologically active substances, which states that an optimal daily intake of lycopene for adults - 5 mg.But, thanks to a surprising behavior of the pigment to achieve the specified volume nobody would have to eat several kilos of tomatoes per day.
Every housewife knows that most of the nutrients and vitamins are destroyed when heated.But lycopene is turned - on the contrary, concentrate: 1 kg of tomatoes contains, on average, to 50 mg lycopene, and products heat treated, - almost three times greater.That is, to use the mentioned 5 ml is sufficient, for example, dip-button lint in ketchup.According to experts, since the natural ketchup consists only of tomatoes, natural vinegar, sugar and spices, such as well-known Heinz, its use produces lycopene in large amounts and, most importantly, in easily digestible form.
addition to its core, anti-cancer function, "golden apples" to help avoid depression: it occurs, because they contain "happiness hormone" - serotonin.Tomatoes are rich in organic acids - malic, citric and tartaric (oxalic acid is also present, but in small quantities).Salts of these acids in the body bring the necessary supply of alkaline substances, preventing aging.
And in tomatoes contains pectin and cellulose, glucose and fructose, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, E, K, PP and C, which in these fruits is almost the same as in citrus fruits.There is also not without iodine, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium and many other useful minerals.In general, a storehouse, not a fruit!This is probably why tomato juice is included in some therapeutic diets as well as special diets designed for weight reduction.
Tomato diet.Lose Weight on tomatoes
for seeking harmony tomato - it's just a gift of fate: the fruits and dishes are hearty and, at the same time low in calories.Besides, they normalize gastrointestinal tract and stimulate peristalsis.
Tomato diet is considered one of the most harmless * (of course, in the absence of chronic diseases) and effective and help to lose a few extra kilos in a short period of time.For example, when in the hands - Last minute of the sea, and a couple of kilograms seems clearly excessive, the aid will come short mono-tomato diet.
It lies in the fact that during the day must eat about 1.5 kg divided into portions ripe tomatoes without salt and between meals drink at least 1 liter of carbonated water.Estimated weight loss of about 1 kg per day.Such an effect would cause a desire to continue losing weight, but to "sit" on a diet more than 2-3 days is not recommended because rapid weight loss, even 2-3 kg, is a major stress to the body.The disadvantage of this diet is that because of the laxative effect for diet at home is better not to go.
There is also a less rigid option, and, oddly enough, is designed for approximately the same weight loss in the same period of time.3-day diet Tomato diet includes the following:
• breakfast - 1 large tomato 2 boiled egg whites;
• lunch - 1 tomato 2 slices of low-fat cheese;
• Lunch - 200 grams of cooked white meat chicken and salad 2 tomatoes, seasoned with ½ teaspoon of olive oil or yogurt;
• in the afternoon - again, 1 tomato 2 slices of low-fat cheese;
• dinner - salad with 2 tablespoons of low-fat cottage cheese and tomatoes with 2 finely chopped greens any seasoned ½ teaspoon of olive oil or yogurt.
prefer liquid diet options are offered on the tomato juice.It is used by ½ to 1 cup fresh (not packaged) drink before each of four meals, which, in turn, may consist of 100-150 grams of lean fish or chicken for a couple, a handful of raw or steamed vegetables, unsweetened fruitor even a piece of wholemeal bread.
The principle of such a diet - a partial saturation of the juice and, as a consequence, loss of appetite and prevent overeating, plus five again, laxative effect.Judging by the reviews lost weight, within 2 weeks of weight loss will be about 4-5 kg.Then you need to make a month break, and, if necessary, repeat.
* As before any other diet, you should consult your doctor to identify possible contraindications.
