Chemistry in Tomato
Who doesn't like Tomatoes?
Actually I don't like tomatoes. I just didn't like it since I was a little kid. My mom used to force me to eat tomatoes, saying that it is really good for my health. Back in those days, I just sneered at her opinion and ignored. I thought the tomatoes just tasted horrible - not only sour, but it has a unique flavor that was just not satisfiable for my taste. But now, as a learn chemistry and read many articles about chemistry, I now learn that my mom was actually right. And I, these days, enjoy eating tomatoes a lot after studying and researching about them, and I want to share what I have researched about them in this blog. So, how is tomatoes related to chemistry?
Tomatoes, first of all, are one of the most popular "vegetables"- not a fruit- in the world. Many people consume them for various reasons: for their improvement of skin, healthy body shape, and diet. Knowing the advantages of tomatoes, my parents enjoy eating them
One of the interesting chemicals that tomatoes contain is 'Lycopene'. Interestingly, Lycopene is a liposoluable-a substance that dissolve into fat rather than into water- substance. It does not embrace any toxins, and it does not have any odor. If we look at the chemical model for Lycopene, it is made up of only with Hydrogen and Carbon (C40H56) as shown in the picture below, and we can tell it is related to an organic chemistry. (the black circle represents Carbon atom and the white circle represents the Hydrogen atom.)
(Chemical diagram of Lycopene)
Lycopene has several fixed properties. When transferred and absorbed into our body, Lycopene is directly transmitted to the liver and testicles, if men ingests it. So, it is well known among experts and doctors that it is effective for preventing prostate glands certain diseases it may incur. In addition, according to some researches that scientists have done, Lycopene was substantiated that it has a potent of about 100 times stronger than that of Vitamin E. (In fact, according to Andrew Weil, a health advisor, Vitamin E is necessary for structural and functional maintenance of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle and protects against the heart disease,cancer, and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. But, if Lycopene has 100 times affected than Vitamin E, you would now know how strong and good Lycopene is for our lives.
Furthurmore, there are some 'superstition' that people believe that if they grind tomatoes to make juice, the nutrients in them will be terminated. However, it is not true. If eaten as juice or a sauce, there are more possibilities the Lycopene will be absorbed into the body. So, for people who felt reluctant to drinking tomato juices, should now try some for their more healthy body.
Information credited to navercast.naver.com
Information credited to http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02813/facts-about-vitamin-e
