One way to fight inflammation, which is the body’s normal response to injury, is with food, says experts.

Lauren Whitt, Ph.D., UAB Employee Wellness director and adjunct professor of personal health said that the inflammation process has one goal: to respond immediately to detect and destroy the toxic material in damaged tissues before it can spread throughout the body.

She said that the trouble with inflammation occurs when the defence system gets out-of-control and begins to destroy healthy tissue, causing more damage than the original issue.

According to the National Council on Strength and Fitness Obesity has even been found to cause inflammation, and it can lead to the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. But weight loss is related to reduction of inflammation.

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Tomato juice could be better than energy drinks at helping the body rejuvenate after exercise, a new study has claimed.

Experts said that tomatoes provide vital chemicals to help muscles recover and blood levels return to normal after being stretched and strained, the Daily Mail reported.

Experts from a number of health institutions in Greece conducted tests on 15 athletes over a period of two months, looking at vital signs before, during and after exercise.

Nine of the athletes drank tomato juice after exercise and six consumed their regular fizzy energy drink.

Those drinking tomato juice had quicker levels of muscle recovery and their glucose levels returned to normal faster after strenuous exercise.

Tomatoes contain a compound called lycopene, which principally give them their deep-red colour.

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Ladies, no need to waste your money on buying expensive skin creams.

Scientists say tomatoes may provide the best defence to keeping skin looking young and safe from sun damage.

Tests has shown that eating tomato paste could help protect against sunburn and skin ageing caused by sunlight exposure.

The age-defying ingredient is lycopene – the natural pigment that makes tomatoes red – with highest levels found in processed or cooked tomatoes used in ketchup, paste, soup and juice.

In the study, women eating a diet rich in processed tomatoes had increased skin protection, as seen by a reduction in skin redness and less DNA damage from ultraviolet (UV) exposure.

Researchers compared the skin of 20 women, half of whom were given five tablespoons (55g) of standard tomato paste with 10g of olive oil every day for 12 weeks.

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Tomatoes contain antioxidants and lycopene which are good for your heart. They are also known for their anti-cancer benefits. Mint leaves keep the allergic colds you are prone to during summer at bay. They also aid in digestion and make your drink refreshing.

Ingredients:
4 juicy ripe tomatoes
1 tbsp mint leaves
1/4 tsp oregano powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper powder
1 tbsp sugar
4-5 cubes of ice
3-4 mint leaves for garnish

Method:
1. Quarter the tomatoes.
2. Remove seeds with a small spoon. Keep aside.
3. In a blender, blend together all ingredients with 1 1/2 glasses chilled water and crushed ice.
4. Strain with a not-too-fine strainer.
5. Pour into glasses and add some of the seeds back.
6. Stir and serve chilled.
7. Garnish with a small tiny spring of mint.

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There are some foods, which when combined can make a romantic yet cardiac-friendly dinner that is perfect for you and your partner on Valentine`s Day.

According to researchers, eating a variety of healthy foods in moderation is vital for a heart-healthy diet

`Years of research has shown that a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fat and lean protein will not only help with weight maintenance, but with overall heart health,` said Katie Boles, RD, LDN, clinical dietician with the Brenner FIT Program, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

`Eating a variety of these foods and eating them in moderation is key to a heart-healthy diet,` she said.

The researchers have suggested having a glass of red wine during the meal.

7 ways to heart health

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Want to be free of high cholesterol and blood pressure (BP)? Tomatoes can be a way out for you!

Tomatoes may be an effective alternative to drugs in lowering cholesterol and BP and in preventing heart disease.

A bright red pigment called lycopene found in tomatoes and to a lesser extent in watermelon, guava, papaya and pink grapefruit has antioxidant properties that are vital to good health.

More on the nutritive value of tomatoes

Karin Ried and her colleague Peter Fakler from the University of Adelaide are the first to summarise the effect of lycopene on cholesterol and blood pressure (BP), analysing the collective results of 14 studies over the last 55 years.

`Our study suggests that if more than 25 milligrams of lycopene is taken daily, it can reduce LPD (bad) cholesterol by up to 10 percent,` says Ried, reports the journal Maturitas.

Tomatoes have high levels of lycopene, with half a litre of tomato juice taken daily, or 50 grams of tomato paste, providing protection against heart disease, according to an Adelaide statement.

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