Food contributes largely to our health. While this is the reality, many people still don’t realize how far foods can affect the well-being of a person. Unhealthy food goes into the system just like the way healthy foods go. Once the body takes in, nutrients and other food elements are distributed throughout the body and we just wait what happens. Some may take effect immediately, while others may time to manifest results. There also foods that we think are healthy but beyond what the eyes can see, foods can be contaminated by bacteria or disease-causing germs. A typical example would be raw foods which have not been washed well or properly cooked. Unfortunately, the tomato, which everyone knows is a source of nutrients that make the body well, could also be a source of arthritis. This is a freak revelation because of what tomatoes have been known for.
We know of tomatoes as healthy veggies. They are one of the rich sources of lycopene, an antioxidant that does not only give tomatoes their color but also aids in the prevention of heart disease, cancer, and among others. But it seems some people have been avoiding tomatoes because of a very uncharacteristic nature, being a contributor of arthritis in an individual. Tomatoes and arthritis is unimaginable, contrary to the belief about veggies for good health.
Nightshades vegetables like potato and tomato are often being blamed for causing arthritis throughout these years. Although there has been no specific scientific explanation for that, people still believe this theory to be true. Arthritic patients claim that continuous consumption of nightshade vegetables caused arthritic flare up, and when they tried some nightshade veggie-free diet, the pain and inflammation was noticeably absent. Scientific studies, researches and surveys conducted to establish the relationship of arthritis and tomato and other nightshades vegetables still have to explicitly prove this theory, although other significant studies and experiments, as well as empirical date would say otherwise. This can be an interesting thing to look forward to.
In many instances, people who have been affected by arthritis, whose intake of tomatoes is quite heavy, have a shocking disclosure on their conditions. Tomatoes are eaten raw, cooked or as juice drinks. This is an alarming situation for tomato lovers. The amiable veggie can be tainted or infected with bacteria while in the market or in storage. Some of the cases which have directly pointed to tomatoes as the cause of arthritis were associated with restaurant foods, in which case the tomato had been tainted with salmonella. Tomatoes are known to be carriers of salmonella. Salmonella infection is typically attributed to eating raw tomatoes and meat. This may be an isolated case but worth noting and should not be taken lightly.
The potentials of tomatoes and other nightshades vegetables in causing arthritis run the risk of putting health in the frontline in eating habits and preferences. While tomatoes contain lycopene and other essential nutrients, cautiousness is a must. The fact that this veggie is a common carrier of salmonella, is enough reason for people to be watchful in their diets, dining out and buying from markets. Food-borne diseases and illnesses should raise the consciousness of consumers. Food safety is everybody’s concern because everyone eats. Those in the food supply chain, including restaurants are encouraged to take a second look at their food offerings. Consumers, on the other hand, must be aware of their eating habits and what they eat, especially when dining out. In addition, if you wish to buy from the markets, see to it that you know how to choose properly. It pays to be attentive to details on the food that you buy for your own cooking at home but it pays more to be conscious of the foods that are generally on the other side of the health department.