Tomatillos have many health benefits, such as helping in weight loss, lower blood pressure, improving vision health, preventing certain types of cancer, increasing energy levels, increasing cellular growth, boosting the immune system, increasing the health of your digestive system, and can reduce the chances of diabetes.
Tomatillos are native to Mexico. They are small and delicious vegetables from the nightshade family. They resemble tomatoes in name and appearance but are relayed more closely to cape gooseberries. The scientific name of tomatillos is Physalis phildalphica.
Tomatillos are a staple in several cuisines in South and Central America. This is not a tomato. The most common names for tomatillos are husk cherry, husk tomato, and Mexican tomato.
As the tomatillo grows, it develops a light brown husk that will eventually break off when it is ready to be picked or ripe. Bright green and rather firm are the ideal color and texture of the tomatillo.
Nightshade vegetables tend to have high levels of alkaloids and can exacerbate inflammation of your joints if you already have some problems with inflammation or arthritis. This vegetable has low amounts of alkaloids. This is why you need to talk with your doctor before adding tomatillos to your diet.
6 Health Benefits of Tomatillos
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Blood pressure and heart health
Tomatillos have sodium which can reduce your blood pressure. Potassium is a vasodilator, which promotes circulation and oxygenation to vital areas of your body, reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system, and relaxes blood vessels.
Also, when combined with a high fiber content, which can reduce bad cholesterol, tomatillos can promote heart health by reducing the chances of strokes, heart attacks, and atherosclerosis.
Energy levels
Tomatillos have niacin, a member of the B family of vitamins, often overlooked in human health. This vitamin is the key element in the enzymatic processes which break down food and complex molecules into usable energy for our bodies. When we increase the availability of this energy and when we process it more efficiently, then the niacin in tomatillos can give you a sustainable boost of energy throughout the day.
Weight loss efforts
This vegetable can be used by people who want to lose weight. Tomatillos are low–fat, low–calorie, and high–nutrient vegetables with high fiber content.
They help people feel full, acquire the necessary nutrients daily, and reduce the chances of overeating because people will feel satisfied. If you are trying to reduce obesity for a healthier lifestyle, then tomatillos are the best vegetable you can use.
Vision Health
Vitamin A is connected to eye vision health. This vegetable has beta-carotene, a vitamin A derivative, and functions as an antioxidant. Also, it can prevent cataracts, macular degeneration, and other condition which can affect the eyes’ health.
Immune system health
Tomatillos have Vitamin C, which can boost our immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells, which are the primary defense line of our bodies against pathogens and foreign agents.
Vitamin C is the key component of collagen production, which supports the health and creation of skin tissue and the cells and tissues which are making up our organs and blood vessels, and.. also it increases our body’s sustainability and metabolic functions.
Cancer prevention
This vegetable has unique antioxidant phytochemicals, known as withanolides, and are directly linked to anti–cancer and antibacterial functions.
It is known that antioxidants help combat free radicals, which is why healthy cells mutate into cancerous cells. Tomatillos have flavonoids, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, which have other cancer–protective effects, particularly in oral and lung cancers.