Tomatillo Benefits
Some of the health benefits of tomatillo include its ability to reduce the chances of diabetes, increase the health of your digestive system, boost the immune system, increase cellular growth, increase energy levels, prevent certain types of cancer, improve vision health, lower blood pressure, and can help in weight loss efforts.
What are Tomatillo?
Tomatillos are native to Mexico and are small delicious vegetables from the nightshade family. Although they resemble tomatoes (both in appearance and in the name), they are actually related more closely to cape gooseberries. Their scientific name is Physalis philadelphica and is a staple in a number of cuisines in Central and South America. Despite the fact that its closest nutritional match is not actually a tomato, the common names for this plant’s fruit are Mexican tomato, husk tomato, or husk cherry. As the plant grows, it develops a light brown husk that will eventually break off when the tomatillo is ripe or ready to be picked. The ideal color and texture of the tomatillo should be bright green and rather firm.
In culinary usage, it forms the primary ingredient of the famous Mexican green sauces, as well as various sauces, while those cultivars that produce red or purple tomatillo are more suitable for jams and preserves, as they have a slightly sweeter taste. Tomatillo can also be steamed, fried, or broiled, much like traditional tomatoes. The name tomatillo is derived from tomato since European explorers saw the small green vegetable and associated it with a small tomato. For this reason, although the rest of the world refers to red tomatoes as “tomatoes”, people in Mexico and Central America still call these green vegetables “tomate”. Like many other fruits and vegetables, tomatillo are packed with nutrients and their unique blend of vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds make it a very healthy addition to a nutritious diet.
Tomatillo Nutrition Facts
Tomatillo have significant levels of dietary fiber, very few calories, and low levels of fat. Furthermore, they contain moderate levels of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, and niacin, as well as potassium, manganese, and magnesium. In terms of organic compounds, however, tomatillo possess withanolides and flavonoids such as lutein, zea-xanthin, and beta-carotene.
Health Benefits of Tomatillo
Health benefits of tomatillo include the following:
Boost Immune System
The vitamin C found in tomatillo can help to boost the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells, the body’s primary line of defense against foreign agents and pathogens. Vitamin C is also a key component of collagen production, which supports the health and creation of skin tissue, as well as the cells and tissues that make up our organs and blood vessels, increasing the body’s sustainability and metabolic functions.
Lower Blood Pressure and Improve Heart Health
The positive ratio of potassium: sodium in tomatillos means that your blood pressure can be reduced. Potassium is a vasodilator, meaning that it relaxes blood vessels, reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system, and promotes circulation and oxygenation to vital areas of the body. Furthermore, when combined with a high fiber content, which can reduce “bad” cholesterol levels, tomatillos can promote heart health by reducing the chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Help in Weight Loss
Tomatillo are one of those preferred vegetables for people who are trying to lose weight. High-nutrient, low-calorie, and low-fat vegetables with high fiber content, like tomatillos, help people to feel full, acquire the necessary nutrients on a daily basis, and reduce the chances of overeating, because they feel satiated. They are ideal if you are trying to reduce obesity for a healthier lifestyle.
Prevent Cancer
Tomatillos contain unique antioxidant phytochemicals called withanolides, which have been directly linked to anti-cancer and antibacterial functions. Antioxidants help to combat the effects of free radicals, which are the dangerous byproducts of cellular reproduction that can kill or mutate healthy cells and turn them into cancerous cells. Furthermore, the vitamin A, vitamin C, and flavonoids within tomatillos provide other cancer-protective effects, particularly in terms of lung and oral cancers.
Improve Digestion
Most vegetables possess a high level of dietary fiber, and tomatillos are no exception. This means that they are very good for digestive health, as fiber can help add bulk to foods and speed their transit through the digestive tract, thereby eliminating constipation, excess gas, bloating, cramping, and even more serious conditions like colon cancer and gastric ulcers. Furthermore, fiber is very good at regulating the release of carbohydrates (simple sugars) into the bloodstream, thereby regulating blood sugar levels, which is important for people suffering from diabetes, who need to strictly control their glucose and insulin levels.
Boost Energy Levels
Niacin is a member of the B-family of vitamins that are often overlooked in human health. Niacin is a key element in the enzymatic processes that break down food and complex molecules into usable energy for the body. by increasing the availability of this energy and making the process more efficient, the niacin found in tomatillos can give you a sustainable boost of energy throughout your day.
