Tomatoes and 9 health benefits it offers Nigerians

One thing lovable about our Nigerian dishes is how well tomatoes seem to work with several of them. Either we slice and dice, or we grind into a pulpy or smooth texture (along with other things like peppers and onions). But besides just being good for cooking and adding flavor, they are chockful of health benefits.

A lot of people say the tomato is the world healthiest fruit, let's look at 9 benefits today, you may call it a fruit or veggie. It's your decision.

Advantages in your diet

Here are the health advantages and more reasons why you should consider tomatoes farming in Nigeria;

1. It helps with blood pressure management.
2. They really help in maintaining healthy hair, vitamin A in tomato helps to make the hair shiny and strong.
3. Tomatoes really help in preventing cancers; the exceptional thing is its capability to fight against cancers. Lycopene is an all-natural antioxidant that slows down the development of cancerous cells effectively, cooked tomatoes produce more lycopene.
4. It fixes damages from smoking thanks to coumaric and chlorogenic acid that work together to protect the body from carcinogens created from tobacco smoke. For heavy smokers, they are something worth recommending for them to try out.
5. It helps to keep the kidney in good form by preventing kidney stones.
6. They are wonderful for the eyes and a perfect checker for sugar level; The Vitamin A present is a perfect treatment for improving eyesight and preventing night blindness, As a result, it also help patients with diabetes get blood sugar levels under control.
7. Tomato provides essential antioxidants for the body's functioning; vitamins A and C provide antioxidant capabilities. These vitamins, alongside beta-carotene work together as antioxidants to neutralize dangerous free radicals in the bloodstream.
8. They are good for your skin, it contains great level of lycopene which makes the skin look tender, smooth and shiny. it is also a good facial cleanser.
9. It helps in maintaining strong bones; They include a significant quantity of calcium and Vitamin K. In general, these are known for helping with preserving strong bones.

The benefits to human health that tomatoes give are numerous, with adequate nutrients in it, tomatoes is a choice fruit (or vegetable) for a healthy lifestyle.

Tomatoes as a business in Nigeria

It wouldn't be surprising that with all these health benefits and the delicacies that can be prepared with tomatoes, growing them especially is a profitable business one can embark on in Nigeria.

Where in Nigeria can I grow tomatoes?

With healthy soil and a good source of water, you can grow your tomatoes anywhere. There are some states that are well known for tomatoes farming in Nigeria. These states are;

• Bauchi State
• Taraba State
• Gombe State
• Kano State
• Zamfara State
• Jigawa State
• Sokoto State
• Katsina State
• Kaduna State

These states are well known for tomatoes farming with local seed varieties to match, in the meantime, are you thinking of starting out your own tomato farming business? All you will need are the right equipment, seeds, conditions and you're set.

Please use the Crop Calendar to learn more information about tomatoes. You can also view more topics at the World Bank .

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