Should you discard the skin of a tomato?

Tomato peels are rich in nutrients but difficult to digest. Photo: Elle.fr

Tomatoes are a very popular and widely enjoyed food because they can be used in many dishes, from salads to various sauces. However, many people are still unsure whether or not to discard the skin of a tomato.

Tomato peels are very nutritious...

Tomato peels contain many valuable nutrients that help boost health. They are known to be rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and lycopene. Lycopene, a pigment that not only gives tomatoes their color but can also prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases, can optimize and maximize the nutritional value of tomatoes by retaining their peels.

Additionally, rinsing helps to improve the texture of tomatoes, making them more convenient for preparing dishes such as salads and baked tomatoes. However, you need to wash tomatoes thoroughly to remove pesticide residue.

...but it's very difficult to digest.

Tomato peels are rich in cellulose, a type of dietary fiber that is difficult to digest. Additionally, the natural acidity of tomato peels can also upset your stomach if consumed in large quantities. Therefore, to aid better digestion, you should remove the peel from tomatoes, especially if you intend to eat them raw.

To peel tomatoes more easily, soak them in boiling water for a few seconds, then immediately remove them and immerse them in ice water. This will make peeling the tomatoes much easier.

You can place the tomatoes in a large bowl of water and heat them in the microwave. This method will produce a similar effect. Alternatively, you can also briefly heat the tomatoes over a flame. The tomato skin will crack under the effect of the heat.

Therefore, depending on your nutritional needs and preparation requirements, you can choose to keep or remove the tomato skin. The top priority is still choosing tomatoes that are safe to eat.

Source: https://laodong.vn/suc-khoe/co-nen-bo-phan-vo-qua-ca-chua-1388816.ldo