Power up on tomatoes

March/April 2008

Research that will have you seeing red!

"Eat your fruits and vegetables." Moms have been dispensing this advice for generations – and it's probably no surprise that they were right all along. Scientific evidence is mounting to support the idea that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help lower the risk of diseases including heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer and type-2 diabetes.

One sure-fire way to boost your intake of fruits and vegetables is to include tomato products in your diet. They're versatile and easy to use – plus they're a key part of California agriculture. The Golden State is far and away the largest producer of processed tomatoes, accounting for nearly half of the world's total production.

For more information about the health benefits of tomatoes, see the Tomato Products Wellness Council's new report at tomatowellness.com/easyvegetable.html