Introduction: Tomatoes of different colors have different nutritional components and therefore different health benefits. Therefore, there is no problem in choosing tomatoes of any color; the key is to see what your body needs to supplement.
There are many varieties of tomatoes. When you are confused about which to choose, you might as well choose by color. Deep red tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which is very beneficial for preventing cancer. Orange tomatoes have less lycopene but a higher content of carotene. Pink tomatoes contain a small amount of lycopene but very little carotene. Light yellow tomatoes contain a small amount of carotene and no lycopene.
If you want to meet your vitamin C needs, any tomato will do; the key is to choose fresh, seasonal, and flavorful products. If you want to supplement with antioxidant components like lycopene and carotene, you should choose deep red or orange tomatoes, not pink or light yellow ones.
The most wonderful component in tomatoes is lycopene, which is famous for its powerful antioxidant properties and cancer-prevention function. Along with lycopene, red tomatoes also contain some carotene, which is good for the eyes and skin. Both of these health components are "fat-soluble" and particularly like oil, so stir-frying or making soup with them is a good idea, whereas the absorption rate is very low when eaten raw.
If you eat tomatoes to get vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, then it doesn't matter if you eat them raw or cooked. Tomatoes themselves are quite acidic, which helps stabilize vitamin C, so the loss after heating and cooking is relatively small. Potassium and dietary fiber are not afraid of heat.
However, tomatoes are considered "cool" in nature. People with weak spleens and stomachs or who are prone to diarrhea should properly control their intake of raw tomatoes and it's best to eat them cooked. People who eat tomatoes for weight loss should also be careful: when very hungry, eating raw tomatoes can actually make you hungrier! In this case, it's better to have a bowl of tomato and egg soup. Although it is very low in calories, it can soothe a hungry stomach.
Here is a "delicious tomato and egg soup" recommended for those who want to lose weight: Put a large bowl of cold water in a pot, add a sliced tomato, and add half a spoonful of sesame oil. Bring to a boil. Then add a little salt and cook for 1 minute. Add the beaten egg while stirring quickly. Finally, sprinkle a little chopped green onion or cilantro, or add a little chicken essence, and it's done! This way, the flavor of the tomato is fully infused into the soup, making it very satisfying to drink. At the same time, lycopene and carotene can be absorbed without irritating the stomach. The best part is that this soup can keep you feeling full for a long time. A large bowl of this soup has only 120 kilocalories, equivalent to one apple and one orange, but its nutritional value is much higher.