Snake Tomato [Trichosanthes Cucumerina]: 8 Health Reasons People Eat It

When you see the Snake tomato, what comes to mind?

Well, for some persons, it could be a food for snakes and to others a snake repellant.

Snake tomato is one fruit that majority have not even touched, but those who eat it know why they do.

Part of their reason is what we are sharing in this article.

Years, ago, some owners of this annual climber that belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae guide it jealously.

In fact, they will give it all that is necessary to make sure it bears fruit.

I saw it few days ago in Ogudu GRA area of Lagos State and memories of how it tastes came back. I had to take a picture of it.

Snake tomato has its unique aroma and taste when you cook with it and it. But beyond these recollections, I remembered why my parents use to add it to our meal.

Fortunately, Nigeria is one of the countries that have Snake tomato.

It is commonly grown in Asian countries.

People who know its value make sure they add it to their stew or other foods, no matter how little.

Because of its health benefits, snake tomato is increasingly gaining popularity.

There are different studies on this tomato and why humans should add it to their diet.

Rich In Nutrients

Studies say the Snake tomato contains flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids and soluble and insoluble fibres.

Also, it contains essential minerals, which make the plant pharmacologically and therapeutically active.

Interestingly, the whole plant – roots, leaves, fruits and seeds – is reported to show medicinal properties.

Snake tomato contains antidiabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antifebrile, gastroprotective and antioxidants properties (1).

Also, the tomato contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. The plant is also a good source of protein.

According to the above study, among the three parts, the highest mineral element content is in the flower. As a result, people boil and drink the flower as tea.

The least mineral element is in the fruit. But the fruit contains high amounts of calcium and potassium.

Health Benefits Of Snake Tomato

Here is a breakdown of how the nutrients in the plant benefit humans.

1.     Promotes Great Heart Health

Hypertension is a major risk factor for the development of stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and end-stage renal disease. This chronic conditions constitute a financial burden for many nations, including the United States.

Basically, hypertension is the most common cause of death in the world.

However, snake tomato contains compounds that help lower blood pressure and boost your heart health.

This is because it is rich in potassium.

A study, found that adequate dietary potassium is important for heart health and reduces the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease (2).

Moreover, the benefits of dietary potassium may be primarily through its effect on blood pressure.

High dietary potassium is associated with a decrease in blood pressure, particularly in the context of a high-sodium diet.

Also, the plant is rich in soluble and insoluble fibre that are known to lower blood cholesterol that may clog the arteries and cause heart diseases.

2.    Lowers Blood Sugar Level

Again, the soluble and insoluble fibre in the plant also helps in regulating the release of sugar in foods to the blood stream.

As a result, it helps control blood sugar level.

Apart from that, the tomato contains phenolic compounds that control blood sugar level.

Animal and human studies have revealed that polyphenols decrease hyperglycemia and improve acute insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity (3).

The antioxidant in snake tomato decreases glucose absorption in the intestine, inhibits of carbohydrates digestion, stimulates insulin secretion and modulates glucose release from the liver.

Furthermore, it aids the activation of insulin receptors and glucose uptake in insulin-sensitive tissues and modulates intracellular signaling pathways, and gene expression.

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Also, an animal study of the aerial parts of this tomato says it significantly reduces the blood glucose levels and improves the glucose tolerance of normoglycemic (4).

As everyone ages, and slows down activity level, intake of foods that are low in fibre begins to give issues. It could cause increase in belly fat and further affect the internal organs.

This is why it is necessary to ensure that you eat food that are rich in fibre.

3.     Weight Management

Again, here is another reason people eat this tomato. It helps  them stay full because of the fibre content in it.

When this happens, craving for food will slow down, helping the individual lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Snake tomato is low in calories this makes it a good food to add to your diet if you are trying to lose weight.

The insoluble fibre in tomato is also higher than the soluble fibre which makes it a good food for persons who want to manage weight.

It contains a rich variety of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are essential for human health, including significant levels of dietary fibre.

4.      Increases Muscle Strength And Power

There are other compounds in this tomato like flavonoids, glycosides, tannins and steroids.

You may have heard that steroids are used for muscle building.

This is one of the benefits that you will get if you eat this tomato.

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It helps in lowering the inflammation that may occur after exercising, helping you increase muscle mass and power.

5.      Protests Your Body Against Free Radicals Damage

If you consider how much toxins humans come in contact with daily, you will see another interesting reason people eat this tomato.

We are exposed to toxins more and more every day and this breakdown to antibodies that could trigger chronic diseases.

However, the antioxidants in the our foods help arrest the antibodies and stop them from causing harm.

According to a study, “if free radicals overwhelm the body’s ability to regulate them, a condition known as oxidative stress ensues.

“Free radicals thus adversely alter lipids, proteins, and DNA and trigger a number of human diseases. Hence application of external source of antioxidants can assist in coping this oxidative stress” (5).

Free radicals damage cell structures, but this tomato contains antioxidants that help lower risk and progression of many acute and chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other metabolic syndromes (6).

5.      Snake Tomato Aids Bone Health

The tomato is also rich in magnesium, zinc and calcium which are minerals that support your bone.

Magnesium helps activate vitamin D to improve the absorption of calcium.

On the other hand, zinc exists in the bones to promote bone growth and prevent the bones from breaking down.

A study says minerals such as magnesium, zinc, calcium and copper help to promote strong bones and are important for bone metabolism (7).

6.      May Help Get Rid Of Worms

If you tale a close look at the plant, you will find that it looks like a big worm.

Because the tomato contains compounds that serve as anthelmintic, it could help in treating both flat worms, e.g., flukes (trematodes) and tapeworms (cestodes) as well as round worms (nematodes).

7.      Could Help Treat Fever

The plant also contains antifebrile compound that lowers inflammation and also helps in the treatment of fever.

Boiling the leaf of the plant could help in the treatment of fiver.

 

Also, the antioxidants in the plant provide this anti-inflammatory effect, warding off oxidative stress that may cause fever.

8.      Could Treat Constipation And Boost Digestive Health

We said earlier that this tomato contains two forms of fibre – soluble and insoluble.

There are essential in different ways.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water and helps lower glucose levels and blood cholesterol.

On the other hand, insoluble fiber, which does not dissolve in water, can help food move through your digestive system.

When this happens, it promotes regularity and helps prevent constipation (8).

If you find this useful, kindly share with your friends and loved ones. 

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