Benefits of Tomato According to Ayurveda

 Tomato According to Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, tomatoes can be considered complex, because on one side, they are full of beautiful benefits, but on the other, they belong to the nightshade family. This means they are best consumed in small quantities and with respect to both the seasons and the Doshas.

Full of Prana

Prana is considered very important in Ayurveda, meaning life force. When we think of tomatoes being full of prana, it is when they are fresh and in season, in the heart of summer, and grown locally. Additionally, tomatoes contain a pigment named lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant. These fruits are also considered to help slow the signs of aging, help prevent cancer and reduce blood sugar, as well as promote eye, bone and skin health. In terms of Doshas, tomatoes can balance out excess Kapha.

The Problem with Tomatoes

Tomatoes and other nightshades, such as potatoes, aubergines, onions, etc. are considered very Rajasic in Ayurveda. Being Rajasic (one of the three gunas in Ayurveda) is a class of foods that are bitter, sour, salty, pungent, hot, or dry, and are thought to promote sensuality, greed, jealousy, anger, delusion, and irreligious feelings.

This means that they can be overstimulating and even lead to stress and anxiety when consumed in excess. On top of this, tomatoes’ high acidity can aggravate Pitta and Vata, especially for Pitta in the heat of summer.

*Read more about Doshas

When to cut out Tomatoes

Its important to know when to cut out tomatoes based on intuitively understanding how they make you feel after consumption. How you pick, prepare, cook and consume them will make a difference. Firstly, make sure your tomatoes are local and beautifully ripe, as under ripe fruit is not good for your digestion. To make them less irritating, peel and deseed them before using them in cooking.

Cooked tomatoes are recommended over raw, as this increases the amount of lycopene in them and makes them easier on your digestive system. Don't over indulge in them if you are feeling discomfort or acidity from them. Avoid them especially If you’re really suffering from the heat or are experiencing a Pitta imbalance for any other reason. Remove them from your diet and see if it makes a difference.

Properties of  Tomato:  Alkalizing 

GUNAS (NATURE): Rajasic (nervous energy)  

DOSHAS: Kapha Balancing 

                Vata/Pitta/ aggravating

Element: Fire and Water

Superpower:  Powerful Antioxidant

Tastes: Sour Sweet Pungent 

The Benefits of  Tomato

What’s so great about Tomato ?

The flesh of tomato is easy to digest, while the skins and seeds may be more irritating and too difficult for some. In that case, tomatoes are easily skinned and seeded. Cherry tomatoes are generally less irritating 

• Heats Up Your Digestion: Tomatoes are strongly acidic, making them both stimulating and sour, and even irritating to some. Sourness not only hydrates salivary glands, but the entire digestive tract as well. The acidity heats up your digestion and makes your digestive glands lubricated. However, those with GI inflammation should avoid Tomatoes
• Cool Your Blood: Raw tomatoes cool the blood on hot summer days. Their high vitamin A content clears Liver Heat and supports detoxification
• Antioxidant and Anti-carcinogenic: 
  Tomatoes are high in lycopene a potent antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic, a cancer preventative. As well as being high in vitamin A, which helps and pacifies the liver, blood and eyes, they are also high in vitamins C and E

Tomato leaves are Poisonous 

• As a member of the nightshade family, tomatoes also have a residue that irritates the body, especially the joints. The leaves and stems contain tomatine and solanine, both poisonous substances
• Use with caution if you have arthritis, or you have an aggressive, hot-blooded temperament