Tomatoes keep the gums healthy

Eating plenty of tomatoes could counter the risk of gum disease.

Tomatoes contain lycopene, the antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red colour, and the carotenoid—which is also in other red fruits—helps keep gums healthy.

People who don’t eat tomatoes are more likely to suffer from periodontitis, the gum disease that can trigger inflammatory processes throughout the body, such as heart problems, say researchers from Connecticut College.

They examined health and nutrition data from 1,227 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Nearly half of the older adults showed signs of periodontitis, and nearly 78 percent were not consuming enough lycopene.

Those who were eating tomatoes and red fruits most days had only one third the risk of periodontitis.

What do you think? Start a conversation over on the... WDDTY Community