Is it a fruit? A vegetable? You can argue with your trivia-obsessed pal all night and both come out winners. The tomato is a fruit, but it has become so commonly used and thought of as a vegetable that it has taken on honorary membership in that club as well.
But more important is understanding the tomato’s incredible health benefits: It is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C and lycopene, which research shows to be important in bone and heart health as well as prevention of certain kinds of cancers. Whether you prefer cherry or grape, Roma or Early Girl varieties, tomatoes are low in calories, high in fiber and can even help decrease cholesterol.
Try giving them a starring role once in a while in a dish such as the classic of the American South, fried green tomatoes, in an Italian caprese salad with mozzarella cheese or atop a simple, crunchy bruschetta.
Emily Wise Miller is the web editor at Live Happy.
