With an average of 10 to 15 kg consumed each year per French, the tomato is among the most popular fruits. Little caloric and sip of water, it contains only 15 to 20 kcal per 100 grams, while being rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. The best known of them, Lycopene, is concentrated in the skin of the fruit. And it is precisely this layer that deserves all our attention. According to Dr. Arnaud Cocaul, a nutritionist doctor, the skin of the tomato may well cause digestive hassles to certain people.
What the skin of the tomato brings … or complicates
The tomato skin is far from useless. It contains not only lycopene, but also cellulose and fibers, which contribute to a good intestinal transit. In theory, it is a nutritional asset. But in practice, it all depends on your digestive system.
Dr. Arnaud Cocaul explains: “The tomato skin can be a problem. It can hardly be digested by some people, due to slowness in the digestive tract. But it’s specific to everyone“. For those who digest without worry, no reason to deprive yourself of it: it enriches the meal in useful micronutrients.
But if you are subject to bloating, flatulence or transit disorders, it is better to ignore. It is not an absolute rule, but an alert signal to observe according to its sensations.
The right reflex to peel it easily
No need for gadgets or sophisticated peeler. To remove the skin from your tomatoes without complicating your life, Dr Cocaul advises a simple method: immerse them in boiling water for a few seconds, then in icy water. The skin then stands out in a single gesture.
Another expert’s recommendation: choose organic tomatoes, in order to limit the ingestion of pesticide residues often concentrated in the skin. And as long as you do, follow the seasonality. “”It is best to eat tomato depending on the season, so in summer“Insists the doctor.