Tomatoes are an intensely nutritious plant food. The benefits of consuming different types of fruit and vegetable are impressive, and tomatoes are no different. As the proportion of plant foods in the diet increases, the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer decreases, as previously noted. Here Ariane Lang, BSc, MBA, reflects on health benefits of tomato soup, medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo, RD, LDN:

“Tomatoes are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and plant compounds that offer a wide range of health benefits.

Research even suggests that these nutrients may protect against multiple diseases, including heart disease and cancer (1Trusted Source).

Therefore, enjoying tomato soup may be a delicious way to make the most of the health benefits of tomatoes. You could savor a rich, warm bowl of soup during sweater weather or a refreshing gazpacho in summer.

Here are 9 science-based benefits of tomato soup.

May have cancer-fighting properties

Tomatoes are widely studied for their cancer-fighting properties due to their high lycopene content. They may be especially effective against prostate and breast cancer.

Prostate cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, and the second most diagnosed cancer among men (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).

Multiple studies have found a direct association between high lycopene intake, specifically from cooked tomatoes, and a reduced risk of prostate cancer (13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).

Research suggests that lycopene may induce cancer cell death. It may also slow tumor growth in a process called anti-angiogenesis (8Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).

Consuming higher levels of carotenoids is linked with an up to 28% reduction in the risk of breast cancer. These carotenoids include alpha carotene, beta carotene, and lycopene (20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source).

While these results are promising, evidence suggests that lycopene is not potent enough for people to use it as an anticancer drug by itself (3Trusted Source).

Research shows that lycopene’s antioxidant capacity may also interfere with chemotherapy and radiation therapy (9Trusted Source).

Highly nutritious

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) have relatively few calories, but they are packed with nutrients and beneficial plant compounds.

Here is the nutrient profile of one large (182-gram) raw tomato (2Trusted Source):

• Calories: 33
• Carbs: 7 grams
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Protein: 1.6 grams
• Fat: 0.4 grams
• Vitamin C: 28% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin K: 12% of the DV
• Vitamin A: 8% of the DV
• Potassium: 9% of the DV

Tomatoes are also rich in carotenoids — namely lycopene — providing about 80% of the DV for lycopene (3Trusted Source).

Lycopene is the pigment that gives tomatoes their characteristic bright red color. It may also be responsible for many of their health benefits, given its potential preventive effect on various chronic diseases (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).

Interestingly, research suggests that the body absorbs lycopene better when it is cooked. Heat may increase its bioavailability or absorption rate.”

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Read More … Article Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tomato-soup-benefits#1.-Highly-nutritious