Cherry Tomatoes Nutrition Facts For 100gm: [Calories, Carbs]

“A world without tomatoes is like a string quartet without violins.” Sounds exaggerated right? Well, you will know it once you read about the nutrition facts and benefits of Cherry tomatoes.

Tomatoes add a tangy flavor to flavourful dishes that are otherwise lacking. Almost all gravies and sauces start with vivid red tomatoes. Many people are unaware that tomatoes are fruits and not vegetables. 

Additionally, tomatoes have their own breeds, all of which are edible. We haven’t discovered them all, but a particular variety of tomatoes known as “cherry tomatoes” has recently made a name in a lot of meals across the globe.

Cherry tomatoes are rich in micronutrients like calcium, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium. Cherry tomatoes maintain cardiovascular health, disease prevention, and much more. Let us move on to the cherry tomatoes nutrition facts and understand the difference between regular and cherry tomatoes.

Cherry tomatoes v/s Regular tomatoes

The most noticeable distinction between tomatoes and cherry tomatoes is that the former is larger in size. Tomatoes typically depict an oval shape, however, cherry tomatoes have a perfectly round shape.

Cherry tomatoes have a slightly bitter and sour flavor, whereas ordinary tomatoes are sweet and tangy. Cherry tomatoes have a slightly bitter and sour flavor, whereas ordinary tomatoes are sweet and tangy.

Tomatoes are commonly used as a cooking ingredient due to all of the following properties. Cherry tomatoes are typically eaten as bite-sized items and are more commonly used as a snack.

Here is a table that perfectly compares the difference between the two:

Regular tomatoes Cherry tomatoes
Type  Is a type of tomato Is a type of tomato
Shape  It’s oval in shape It’s circular in shape
Size  Are 2-4 inches in size Are 1-2 inches in size
Characteristics  Have thick walls and are plumper from inside Are round in shape and firm to touch
Plant type Are grown in bushes Are grown in wines
Perfect for Perfect for cooking pastes and sauces Perfect for bite-sized snacks and appetizers
Uses  Is used in making sauces, gravies, and pastes Is used in salads, side dishes, and pasta

What is the nutritional value of cherry tomatoes?

Tomatoes of all kinds are high in vitamins, minerals, proteins, essential fats, carotenoid antioxidants, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds, among other nutrients [1].

Cherry tomatoes are just the same way. The following nutrients can be found in just 100 gm of whole cherry tomatoes:

Calories  31 kcals
Protein  0 gm
Carbohydrates  6 gms
Fats  0 gm
Fiber  2 gms
Sugar  4 gms

Cherry tomatoes: Calories

To survive, the human body needs calories. The body’s cells would perish without energy, the heart and lungs would cease beating, and the organs would be unable to carry out the basic functions required for survival. Meals provide this energy to humans.

People would most likely live healthy lives if they merely consumed the number of calories required each day. Calorie intake that is either too low or too much will eventually lead to health issues.

Tomatoes are the primary dietary source of lycopene, an antioxidant associated with many health factors, including a lower risk of heart disease and cancer. Vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K are all abundant in them [2]. Cherry tomatoes have 31 kcals/100 gm [3].

Cherry tomatoes: Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates supply energy to your body, which is one of their key purposes. Before entering the bloodstream, the majority of the carbohydrates in your meal are absorbed and broken down into glucose.

Carbs make up 4% of raw tomatoes, resulting in less than 6 grams of carbohydrate in a medium specimen (100 grams). Simple sugars like glucose and fructose account for over 70% of the carbohydrate load [3].

Cherry tomatoes: Fiber

They’re a good source of fiber, especially if the skin is left on, supplying around 7% of the daily value. Cherry tomatoes, which are high in fiber and low in calories, may help you lose weight by keeping you full and hydrated [4, 5, 6].

Are cherry tomatoes rich in micronutrients?

Cherry tomatoes, particularly, are high in calcium, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium. Carotenoids, a form of antioxidant found in red, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables, are also abundant [7].

The following are the most prominent carotenoids found in cherry tomatoes:

Lycopene

This chemical is responsible for the deep red color of tomatoes and may help lower your risk of heart disease. Anticancer properties have also been discovered in test-tube experiments, though additional research is needed [8].

Lutein

Its antioxidant is well known for its anti-inflammatory effects, which help protect eye and brain function [9].

Beta-carotene

This antioxidant can be converted into vitamin A by your body. Though more research is needed, beta carotene could also help against heart disease and cancer [10].

What are the health benefits of cherry tomatoes?

Cherry tomatoes are a healthy addition to your diet that provides numerous health benefits. Let us discuss the cherry tomatoes benefits and their side effects.

May benefit cardiovascular health

Cherry tomato plant compounds may protect the endothelial cells that line the insides of blood vessels, which may assist to prevent heart disease. They also keep platelets from clumping together in your blood, which can produce blood clots and a higher likelihood of heart attack or stroke [11].

Furthermore, lycopene may have an impact on how your body digests cholesterol and stores fat, both of which are linked to heart health. Lycopene deficiency has even been related to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. In one research of over 1,000 males, individuals with the highest amounts of this compound in their blood were 55 percent less likely to experience symptoms [12, 13].

Finally, consuming more potassium-rich foods, such as cherry tomatoes, may lower blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease. This is especially true when high salt diets are replaced with potassium-rich diets [14].

May benefit disease prevention

Cherry tomato compounds may help to battle oxidative stress, which is an imbalance in your body’s antioxidants and free radicals that may play a role in diseases including cancer, diabetes, and heart and kidney disease [15].

Naringin and naringenin are two nutrients found in cherry tomatoes that play an important role in disease prevention. Because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, flavonoids may be beneficial [16].

May benefit skin health

 

Let us discuss the cherry tomato benefits for the skin. UV rays can develop dry skin, wrinkles, discoloration, and other skin problems as you age. Cherry tomatoes, for particular, comprise carotenoids, polyphenols, and antioxidants, which may help protect against the detrimental effects of UV light by hydrating your skin and regulating signaling pathways, among other processes [17, 18].

May protect against free radicals

Protecting your body from toxins that harm your cells may reduce your risk of developing a range of chronic illnesses, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Vitamin C, lycopene, and beta carotene, all antioxidants found in tomatoes, are among those that provide such protection [19].

Lycopene, in particular, has been related to a lower incidence of cancers such as prostate, lung, and stomach cancer. 

Tomatoes, particularly cherry tomatoes, are excellent suppliers of lycopene. Eat your cherry tomatoes with a little fat, such as your favorite salad dressing, or stir-fry them in olive oil, to get the maximum lycopene out of them.

What are the side effects of cherry tomatoes?

When eating cherry tomatoes, some people may need to be cautious.

Contamination with bacteria

Cherry tomatoes, like many other fruits and vegetables, may get contaminated with Salmonella during production and supply. Salmonella is a dangerous bacteria that can lead to food poisoning and eventually lead to symptoms such as fever and stomach ache [20].

Salmonella poses a major risk of serious illness in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

One of the most effective strategies to avoid foodborne disease is to thoroughly rinse cherry tomatoes and all other fresh fruit with water before eating.

Produce acid reflux

The only true drawback to cherry tomatoes is that they’re so small. They’re high in citric and malic acid, just like all tomatoes. This implies that if you’re already prone to acid reflux, eating cherry tomatoes could make things worse—both citric and malic acids can cause the stomach to churn and release too much gastric acid [21].

Cherry tomatoes, on the other hand, are still quite healthy, but if you have recurrent acid reflux, eat with care!

Lead to allergy

An allergy to cherry tomatoes — or tomatoes of any type — is possible, though rare.

Skin rashes, irritation, sneezing, gastrointestinal issues, and even anaphylaxis (the closure of your airways) can all be indications of a tomato allergy [22].

People who are allergic to grasses, pollen, or latex are more likely to be allergic to tomatoes [23].

The nutrition of multicolored cherry tomatoes

Tomatoes are most commonly found in the classic red color, however, there are three different color variants available (yellow, orange, and green tomatoes). Lycopene, an antioxidant that aids cell communication, as well as folate, vitamin C, and vitamin A, are commonly found in red tomatoes.

Red tomatoes, according to the USDA, contain more vitamin A than any other color tomato. The phosphorus content of yellow tomatoes is the highest of all tomato colors [24]

Green tomatoes contain the most vitamin C of any tomato color, but orange tomatoes contain much more vitamin A than other colors. One thing they all have in common is that tomatoes are high in potassium, a mineral that may assist to reduce the detrimental effects of salt on blood pressure.

Roasted cherry tomatoes and their nutrition

Roasted tomatoes are a simple and delectable side dish that is both nutritious and filling. Tomatoes are well-known for being high in lycopene, a phytochemical that not only gives tomatoes their red color but also has powerful antioxidant effects.

It’s important to keep in mind that different cooking methods can alter the nutritional value of cherry tomatoes.

For instance, many of the vitamins in this fruit are contained in the skin. As a result, tomatoes with the skin on may be more nutritious than tomatoes that have been peeled.

Similarly, the number of antioxidants and phenolic compounds in cherry tomatoes may be affected by drying and preserving them.

Cooking them increases the bioavailability; the amount of lycopene, naringenin, and chlorogenic acid that your body processes, while decreasing the levels of beta carotene and lutein.

Cherry tomatoes v/s Grape tomatoes nutrition

Cherry tomatoes, like their name, are a popular tomato variety renowned for being bright, robust, and delicious. Grape tomatoes, on the other hand, are among the tiniest of tomatoes. Cherry and grape tomatoes have four distinct characteristics:

Shape:

Cherry tomatoes are structured like red or black cherries, as their names indicate. Cherry tomatoes come in a variety of sizes, but they’re generally rounder and larger than grape tomatoes. Grape tomatoes, on the other hand, have an oblong form that resembles that of watermelons or the grapes for which they are named. They’re smaller than cherry tomatoes, on average.

Color: 

The most common color of cherry tomato is red, but you can also find yellow, green, and even black variations on cherry tomato plants. Red grape tomatoes, like red cherry tomatoes, are widely available in supermarkets. There are also yellow, green, and black variants.

Taste:

In contrast to most other varieties of tomatoes, cherry tomatoes are extremely sweet. They also have a thinner shell and more water content than grape tomatoes, which gives them more juiciness. Grape tomatoes are drier and less sweet than sweet cherry tomatoes. Grape tomatoes have tougher skin than cherry tomatoes, which makes them difficult to chew.

Shelf-life:

Since cherry tomatoes have a limited shelf life than grape tomatoes, which have a thicker peel, you’ll have to consume them as soon as possible after they are brought.

FAQs

Q: What is the nutritional value of a cherry tomato? 

A 100gm serving of cherry tomatoes contains:

  • Calories: 25.
  • Protein: 1 gram.
  • Fat: 0 grams.
  • Carbohydrates: 6 grams.
  • Fiber: 2 grams.
  • Sugar: 4 grams.

Q: How many carbs are in 6 cherry tomatoes? 

There are 18 calories and 75% carbohydrates in 6 cherry tomatoes.

Q: Are cherry tomatoes good for weight loss? 

Tomatoes are low in carbs and can aid weight loss dramatically. A large tomato has 7 g of carbohydrates in it. One or two tomatoes can be added to one’s regular diet to help one lose weight.

Q: Why should you never eat tomatoes?

There is no harm in eating tomatoes! Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin A particularly and also have many benefits associated with it. They can only be a cause of concern for those who are allergic to it.

Q: Do tomatoes cause belly fat? 

Tomatoes are unquestionably one of our favorite fat-burning foods. Tomatoes have been shown to lower inflammation, water retention, and reverse leptin resistance in the body. Our bodies depend on leptin, a type of protein that helps control metabolic rate and appetite, to shed excess weight.

Q: Can you eat too many cherry tomatoes?

Too much of anything can be detrimental to health. Anything that is eaten wisely can be beneficial for the body and better well-being. Hence, eating too many cherry tomatoes can lead to acid reflux. 

Wrapping up

Cherry tomatoes are a small but nutrient-dense fruit that may be used in a number of ways, including snacks, salads, pasta, and other dishes.

They’re particularly high in antioxidants compared to other varieties of tomatoes, which may help protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and skin problems.

Because of allergies or acid reflux, certain individuals may need to avoid cherry tomatoes. Otherwise, eating these fruits or any variety of tomato is an excellent way to get the benefits of their disease-fighting properties.

ReferencesAA

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