Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. However, the following people absolutely should not eat tomatoes if they don’t want to get sick.
1. People who are prone to allergies
Tomatoes contain a compound called histamine that boosts the immune system to fight bacteria and viruses. This usually shows up in the form of allergic reactions such as a rash and swelling of the tongue. For people who have been diagnosed with a tomato allergy, those symptoms can be even more severe.
2. People with irritable bowel syndrome
If you have irritable bowel syndrome, do not eat tomatoes because they can cause diarrhea, cramps, bloating, and constipation.
3. People with stomach problems
Tomatoes are very acidic and can cause heartburn in people with stomach problems such as gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux. Even if you are healthy, eating too many tomatoes will lead to stomach problems.
4. People with kidney disease
Tomatoes not only cause calcium accumulation in the body but are also rich in oxalate – a substance that is not metabolized easily when consumed in excess and it can lead to kidney stones. Tomatoes are also rich in potassium, which can impair kidney function. If you already have kidney problems, be careful when eating tomatoes.
5. Causes skin discoloration syndrome
Lycopene is a pigment found in tomatoes and other foods. When consumed in the right amounts, this substance is great for heart health. However, if you eat too many tomatoes, it will cause a skin discoloration called lycopenodermia.
6. You May Have Urinary Problems
Acidic foods like tomatoes can irritate the bladder. If you have urinary tract diseases, you should limit eating this food.
7. Tomato Leaves Can Be Poisonous
You need to be very careful with tomato leaves as they are not safe to eat in large quantities. Consuming a lot of tomato leaves can lead to serious symptoms and even death.
8. Non-organic tomatoes with high pesticide residue
Tomatoes that are not grown organically are among the foods with the highest pesticide residues. These chemicals are really harmful to health so the best way is to only consume organic tomatoes.
9. People with autoimmune diseases should not eat tomatoes
Tomatoes are part of a group of plants known as nightshades. Alkaloids can aggravate inflammation in the body, which is especially bad for people with autoimmune diseases. Therefore, if you have this syndrome, you should eliminate tomatoes from your daily diet.
10. Tomatoes cause joint pain for some people
Eating too many tomatoes can cause joint pain because tomatoes have an alkaline substance called solanine, which accumulates calcium in the tissues. When too much calcium builds up, it leads to inflammation, pain, and swelling in the joints.