For those fortunate enough to plant them on time, tomatoes are now coming into full swing. If you didn’t quite get your plant in the ground early enough, be sure to look for fresh Colorado-grown tomatoes at your local farmer’s market or grocer. Tomatoes aren’t just tasty in your favorite home-made salsa recipes, they’re also great for you. Especially when you let them ripen on the vine and pick them right before eating – red tomatoes have up to four times the amount of beta-carotene as green tomatoes. Lycopene, a red carotene, has been shown to be extremely protective against breast, colon, lung, skin and prostate cancers. It has also been shown to lower the risk of heart disease, cataracts and macular degeneration. Tomatoes also are an excellent source of vitamin C, biotin and vitamin K. Find out more about tomatoes on the World’s Healthiest Foods.
