North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["John Barbowski" <jbarbowski@gmail.com>]

An article in our National Post newspaper quoted research

by Dr Schwartz from Ohio State University:

 

"Orange Tomatoes are healthier than red tomatoes. Orange

tomatoes contain a type of lycopene that is more readily

used by the body than the type found in red tomatoes.

 

Lycopene, an antioxidant thought to have a number of health

benefits, is what gives red tomatoes and other fruits their rich

colour. Lycopene absorption from the orange ones was 2.5

times higher than from the reds. Blood lycopene levels spiked

about 5 hours after the meal and were 200 times higher than

the levels from the reds. While reds contain far more lycopene

than the orange ones, most of it is in a form that the body

does not absorb well.

 

Orange coloured tomatoes are not readily available at grocery

stores. Dr Schwartz suggests consumers seek out orange

and gold coloured tomatoes as an alternative, even though

they have not tested these varieties."

 

FYI  -  jmb

 

ps I wonder about the content in the black/purple tomatoes .