Is a tomato better eaten raw or cooked?

Tomatoes are one of the few fruits or veg that are better for you cooked than fresh. They are thought to be actually the healthiest of the fruits and vegetables. The lycopene that is found in tomatoes and is good for anti aging and for prevention of cancer is increased when the tomato is cooked. Even ketchup and pizza topping etc has these good lycopenes in.

Well Bella, I like both way. However, some research shows that tomatoes in particular are actually better for you cooked rather than raw. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C. They also contain vitamin A and B, potassium, iron and phosphorus, as well as antioxidants. A medium-sized tomato also contains the same amount of fibre as a slice of wholemeal bread, with less the calories! To enjoy their antioxidant value, cooked tomatoes are actually better, as cooking breaks down the tough cellular walls, releasing the lycopene (antioxidant in tomato) for the body’s use.

Hi. Bellapop. I have never heard of this. I do know that lypocene is very good for the body. Tomatoes gives lypocene at its excellent benefit. I eat tomatoes either way. I always thought that it was more nutritious when I eat tomatoes raw because it provides more lypocene. I may be right or I may be wrong about this.

Don't confuse cooking with heating. There are other ways of cooking besides using heat and it's heat that destroys nutrients. That's why processed food is of no value to us; one of the main processes used is heat. xoxo Cyne

For me tomatoes are "better" eaten both ways because I like to eat them both ways. I worry a bit about eating things that are poisonous or toxic in one way or the other but I love to cook and eat without having to count how healthy everything is. I´m sure that, if I eat a well balanced diet, I will eat what my body needs. Take care!

It is better to eat raw tomatoes. The tomato is not good to be heat-treated, because it is strong and dangerous acid. He has sour crude and when cooked this acid is increased and is harmful to the stomach. So people who have gastritis can not eat tomatoes, especially cooked.

It is better to eat tomato cooked than raw. But raw tomato is tastier than cooked tomato. I like raw tomato.

when tomato is cooked by olive oil,our body absorbs lycopene better. tomatoes dont loose any nutritional values when they are cooked also.

lycopene ^^ well some people told me that if you cook and such then the lycopene will break down less not used by our system. Hmm conflicting but i like tomatoes raw and i think its much better.

Only cooked tomatoes can have the effect of replenishing blood,so it's better to eat them after cooked.

In general,my approach is boiling broth with it and stir-frying it with egg.Some people says the green tomato contains solanine that poisons people.I wonder if it is true.