Sun-dried tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes are ripe tomatoes that lose most of their water content after spending a majority of their drying time in the sun. These tomatoes are usually pre-treated with sulfur dioxide or salt before being placed in the sun in order to improve quality.[1] Typically, tomatoes spend 4–10 days in the sun in order for the sun-drying process to be complete.[2] Cherry types of tomatoes will lose 88% of their initial (fresh) weight, while larger tomatoes can lose up to 93% during the process. As a result, it takes anywhere from 8 to 14 kilograms of fresh tomatoes to make a single kilogram of sun-dried tomatoes.
After the procedure, the tomato fruits will keep their nutritional value. The tomatoes are high in lycopene, antioxidants, and vitamin C. The final products may contain up to 2–6% of salt and could provide a significant contribution to the day's intake. Sun-dried tomatoes can be used in a wide variety of recipes and come in a variety of shapes, colors, and tomatoes.[3] Traditionally, they were made from dried red plum tomatoes, but they can be purchased in yellow varieties. Sun-dried tomatoes are also available in the form of pastes or purées. Sun-dried tomatoes may also be preserved in olive oil, along with other ingredients such as rosemary, basil, dried paprika, and garlic.
Benefits of Eating Sun Dried Tomatoes
Antioxidants contribute to heart health by reducing inflammation in the blood vessels. A serving of sun-dried tomatoes delivers further heart benefits by providing 6 percent of the recommended daily intake of calcium and 25 percent of magnesium. Calcium is a well-known component of bones, but it also stimulates the contraction of heart muscles. Magnesium has the opposite role, helping to ensure normal heart rhythm by causing the heart muscles to relax. Calcium and magnesium also regulate blood pressure by coordinating the contraction and relaxation of blood vessel walls.
In addition to containing 6 percent of the daily intake of calcium, 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes has 25 percent of the recommended intake of magnesium and 27 percent of phosphorus. Calcium combines with phosphorus to create the primary bone-building mineral hydroxyapatite, while magnesium helps form the matrix that supports the other minerals.
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