Polyphenols, which are very beneficial for cardiovascular health, are mainly found in the outer parts of fruits, including the outer tissue, leaves, and peel. The distribution of Vitamin C follows the same pattern. This is because the sun is the source of energy for plants, and their "nutrient synthesis base" is also located close to sunlight. Therefore, even within the same fruit, differences in sun exposure can lead to variations in nutrient content.
Cherry tomatoes exemplify this pattern. Their flavonoid content is significantly higher than that of regular large tomatoes because they have a larger surface area exposed to sunlight. They also contain more Vitamin C than large tomatoes.
In terms of dietary fiber, the very small cherry tomatoes have a larger proportion of peel. The peel of a tomato is an excellent source of dietary fiber and has anti-cancer properties. It is evident that small tomatoes score higher in this regard.
The same principle applies: smaller fruits are actually more nutritious. For instance, the most nutritious part of an apple is the flesh just beneath the red peel. For plums, eggplants, and other colored fruits, the highest nutritional value is found near the peel. In citrus fruits, the highest concentration of flavonoids is in the white pith just under the peel. It is clearly very advisable to eat kumquats, including the peel. Only for fruits like strawberries, cherries, and mulberries, the nutrient content is relatively uniform from the inside out. However, these fruits are naturally very small to begin with.