Cherry tomatoes, also known as small tomatoes or grape tomatoes, are a very sweet fruit. However, some people worry whether its sweetness means high sugar and high calories. Are cherry tomatoes really high in sugar? How does its calorie content compare to other common fruits? While enjoying the deliciousness of cherry tomatoes, what other nutritional values should we pay attention to? This article will conduct an in-depth exploration of the above questions.
What are cherry tomatoes?
Cherry tomatoes are a herbaceous plant belonging to the Solanaceae family, native to South America. When their fruits ripen, they are red or yellow, with a diameter generally between 1-2 centimeters.
What is the source of the sweetness of cherry tomatoes?
The sweetness of cherry tomatoes comes from their natural sugar content. In addition to containing glucose and fructose, they also contain a relatively high amount of sucrose. Furthermore, cherry tomatoes also contain some acidic substances, such as citric acid, malic acid, etc., which can enhance their sweet and sour taste.
How does the calorie content of cherry tomatoes compare to other fruits?
Although cherry tomatoes are high in sugar, their calorie content is relatively low. According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture, the calorie content of 100 grams of cherry tomatoes is only 18 calories, which is much lower than that of fruits like bananas and apples.
What nutrients do cherry tomatoes contain?
Cherry tomatoes are rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin K, and potassium. Among them, the content of vitamin C is particularly abundant, with 100 grams of cherry tomatoes providing about 30 milligrams of vitamin C.
What diseases can cherry tomatoes help prevent?
Due to its rich content of nutrients like vitamin C, cherry tomatoes help improve immunity and promote wound healing. In addition, vitamin C also has a diuretic effect, which can alleviate the symptoms of patients with hypertension. At the same time, the folic acid in cherry tomatoes helps prevent fetal neural tube defects.
The multiple benefits of cherry tomatoes
In addition to the above benefits, cherry tomatoes have many other health effects. For example, the potassium element in cherry tomatoes helps maintain heart health and helps control blood pressure; vitamin K helps maintain bone health.
Who are cherry tomatoes suitable for eating?
Cherry tomatoes are one of the low-calorie, high-nutrient fruits that almost everyone can eat. Especially for people who are losing weight and controlling diabetes, its low-calorie and low-sugar characteristics are more suitable for their dietary needs.
How should cherry tomatoes be selected?
When selecting cherry tomatoes, it is best to choose fruits with bright colors, smooth surfaces, and no obvious damage or insect holes. In addition, cherry tomatoes will split into several small beads after they ripen, so their maturity can be judged by observing their cracks.
How to store cherry tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days. If you want to store them for a longer time, it is best to refrigerate them in the refrigerator. Of course, the fresher the cherry tomatoes, the better their taste and texture will be.
How can cherry tomatoes be eaten?
Cherry tomatoes can be eaten directly as a snack, or added to salads. In addition, chopping cherry tomatoes into small pieces and mixing them with milk, yogurt, etc., to make a delicious fruit salad is also a good choice.
The side effects of cherry tomatoes
Although cherry tomatoes are nutritious, they may cause allergic reactions in some people, manifested by symptoms such as skin itching and lip swelling. In addition, some substances in cherry tomatoes may also cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Contraindications for eating cherry tomatoes
Because cherry tomatoes contain a certain amount of oxidase, they may interact with certain drugs (such as thyroxine, heparin, etc.) and affect the efficacy of the drug. Such patients should avoid excessive consumption of cherry tomatoes.
The price of cherry tomatoes
Because cherry tomatoes have a long growth cycle and need to grow under appropriate temperature and humidity conditions, their price is relatively higher than other fruits. In the domestic market, the price per kilogram of cherry tomatoes is about 30-50 yuan.
The origin and varieties of cherry tomatoes
Currently, the common varieties of cherry tomatoes in the country include Asian type, European type, American type, etc. Among them, the Asian type is smaller and more sour; the European type has a delicious taste but a lower yield; the American type has larger fruits and a sweeter taste.
In summary, although cherry tomatoes are indeed high in sugar, their calorie content is relatively low. In addition, cherry tomatoes are also rich in a variety of nutrients, which help improve immunity, maintain heart health, etc. As a delicious and nutritious fruit, we can eat it in moderation and combine it reasonably according to our own needs.