Tomatoes are a popular vegetable crop grown in almost every plot. Excellent taste gives the dish unique notes, be it fresh tomato or canned in its own juice. However, the true value lies in the composition, which is rich in minerals and trace elements useful for the body. In this article, let's talk about the benefits and dangers of this homemade vegetable, analyze the structure of its roots and learn how to properly store vegetables in an apartment.
The structure of the roots and root system of tomatoes
The tomato belongs to the nightshade family. The root system of the plant is well branched; in the process of shoot development, it is formed by active growth of lateral processes. It is better to plant roots in the ground to a depth of 30-50 cm.
At the stage of seed germination, a root (germinal) is formed in the soil, which later becomes the main root of the tomato. Already in the second week, it is overgrown with branches. A little later, the adventitious branches of the root system grow. They are formed directly from the stem, in some plants directly from the leaves.
The most extreme parts of the root system are thin hairs (down). It is through them that the culture receives moisture and nutrients from the soil. It's not for nothing that these areas are called the suction zone.
Gardeners, when extracting a bush from a garden bed, probably noted that the parameters and structure of the roots are different. This is due to the plant belonging to a particular type. There are only two of them: fibrous and core. The fibrous root does not have a pronounced main rhizome, in appearance it resembles a loofah (hence the name). In contrast, the core type is characterized by a well-developed elongated root, which significantly differs in parameters from other branches. Its length is greater than the previous form.
When planting seedlings, it should be borne in mind that the damaged root stops vertical growth. After engraftment in a new place, the root system is formed by building up lateral processes. To stimulate the development of the root part of the plant, it is recommended to huddle the bushes.
Chemical composition
The composition of tomatoes includes many micro and macro elements, vitamins useful for the body. Among the main ones:
- potassium;
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- iodine;
- iron;
- zinc;
- thiamine;
- riboflavin;
- beta carotene;
- vitamins PP, A, C, etc.
The fruits contain a large amount of dietary fiber, organic acids, which improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The flavonoid quercetin cleans and strengthens blood vessels, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the vascular system. Tomato contains a unique substance called lycopene, which reduces the risk of cancer.
Tomato is included in the diet due to its low calorie content (per 100 gr. 21 Kcal). There is little fat in it, and the available carbohydrates are easily absorbed by the body. The low sugar content allows the use of the vegetable for patients with diabetes mellitus.
The benefits and harms of consumption for the body of women and men
Nutritionists and doctors confirm the positive effect of tomatoes on the human body. First of all, the fruits improve the structure of the blood, which has a beneficial effect on the work of individual organs and all vital systems. The thinning effect prevents blood clots. And the organic acids included in the composition improve digestion, which facilitates the assimilation of heavy food (for example, meat).
Considering the composition rich in valuable substances, we can state the following usefulness of tomatoes for the human body:
- the product has anti-sclerotic and anti-rheumatic properties;
- thanks to potassium, iron and magnesium, the work of the heart muscle improves;
- alpha-tomatin is a natural oncoprotector, which is expressed in the ability to destroy cancer cells;
- iron prevents the development of anemia, helps to restore the structure of the blood after an illness.
If we consider the usefulness of the product specifically for men, then the following advantages of its use stand out:
- prevention of prostate cancer, sexual impotence;
- reduction of the inflammatory process in prostatitis;
- cleansing the liver in the treatment of alcohol addiction.
Tomatoes are equally valuable for women. Folic acid in the composition plays an important role in the functioning of female organs. Its main feature is the regulation of fertility. Therefore, tomatoes must be included in the menu for those who want to become a mother, as well as during pregnancy. On the basis of a red vegetable in cosmetology, there are many means, the action of which is aimed at rejuvenating the skin, feeding it with useful microelements. It is worth emphasizing the low calorie content of the product, which allows the inclusion of fruits in the diet. This is important to preserve beautiful body shapes.
For children, tomatoes are also of great value, which is due to their rich chemical composition. Valuable micro and macro elements take an active part in the intensive growth of the child. The main benefits of eating tomatoes are:
- strengthening the immune system;
- enrichment of blood with nutrients;
- cleansing the liver of toxins;
- improving metabolism in the body;
- prevents the development of anemia.
An interesting fact is that tomatoes retain their valuable properties even after processing. Therefore, in addition to fresh vegetables, it is useful to use tomato juice, various sauces and dried preparations.
Contraindications for eating tomatoes
In addition to nutrients, tomatoes contain organic acids that can exacerbate chronic diseases. Therefore, this is the main contraindication for their use.
So, for example, oxalic acid negatively affects water-salt metabolism, which causes disruption of the kidneys. It activates the digestive system, resulting in increased bile production. In the presence of gallstone disease, this effect provokes a deterioration in health.
You cannot eat tomatoes if you have:
- disorders of the musculoskeletal system (acids cause severe pain in the joints);
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- hypertension (limit the use of salted and pickled fruits);
- pancreatitis.
Heavy smokers should not get carried away with the consumption of fresh fruits, as tomatoes increase nicotine addiction. Of course, it is preferable to give up cigarettes in favor of tomatoes, but everyone should make this choice independently.
Allergy sufferers should also exclude tomato products from the diet. Tomato is a strong allergen, in addition, purchased fruits can accumulate toxic substances that are part of various plant treatment preparations.
Eating a vegetable of unknown origin for vulnerable people is like playing Russian roulette. You should not conduct such experiments with your health.
How to store tomatoes at home in an apartment?
Ripe tomato acquires extraordinary flavor notes due to the combination of sugars and acids with volatile substances. It is the volatile components that are extremely susceptible to low temperatures. This explains the fact that the taste of the vegetable is lost after storage in the refrigerator.
But where, then, to keep the vegetables and what temperature regime to choose for them? The issue of storing tomato fruits without losing their taste has long been solved by French scientists, until they confirmed empirically that the refrigerator is not a panacea. Temperature + 20 ° С not only ensures the safety of volatile substances, but also contributes to their intensive production. However, such a regime is not suitable for long-term crop conservation.
There are several simple rules, the observance of which will make it possible to enjoy the taste of fresh tomatoes until winter, or even more.
- The main key to solving the question lies in the correct selection of the variety. These should be crops of late and mid-late ripening. Of the cultivation methods, preference is given to open ground. Greenhouse tomatoes do not have a long shelf life. Recommended varieties: New Year's, Red Stone (the vegetable remains firm and tasty until winter), Long Keeper, Giraffe (keeps fresh until spring!). Slightly less (6-8 weeks) are stored: Pharaoh, Viscount, Paladin. Not suitable for long-term storage of plants with early and medium-early ripening.
- The storage location can be any cool dark rooms (basements, cellars, pantries, vegetable compartment of the refrigerator).
- The fruits retain their freshness and valuable qualities at a temperature of 8-10 ° C, air humidity - within 80%.
- Proper preparation of tomatoes is considered an important point in storage. They need to be sorted by removing damaged, deformed, overripe and green specimens. Milk-ripened vegetables are ideal for long-term storage. To clean tomatoes from harmful microbes, it is recommended to wipe each with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol (vodka).
- You can put the fruits in wooden or plastic boxes, which must have openings for air access. The bottom and walls of the container are covered with paper, after which the tomatoes are laid out one by one with the stalks up. Each layer must be covered with paper. In total, 3 layers are formed in the box. The top is covered with sawdust. You can also wrap each vegetable in black paper when stacking. This will prevent the spread of rot if one of the tomatoes is damaged. With this method, the safety of the crop is guaranteed by the New Year holidays. If varieties with a long shelf life are used, you can enjoy a delicious tomato until spring. In the refrigerator, the fruits can spend no more than 7-8 days.
The usefulness of tomatoes is obvious, but it is worth eating only high-quality fruits without signs of deformation and disease. To do this, you need to provide proper conditions for storing the crop.