Food Synergy Series: The Magic Of Combining Tomatoes And Avocado

To know how food synergy works, is to hold the key to the secret of the universe (well…somewhat). Long story short, eat avocados with tomatoes, and tomatoes with avocados, because it’s fantastic for you.

If you’re a fan of Mexican food, you probably love guacamole. And guess what? It seems there is a scientific reason that we love the combination of tomatoes and avocados.

Pairing specific foods together, in a concept known as food synergy, helps you maximise their nutritional and health benefits. The fact of the matter is that many nutrients compete for the same receptors in the gastrointestinal tract for absorption. That is why, when combined, they are absorbed better. Combining the right foods together can increase the body’s ability to absorb their fibre, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Not that having them on their own doesn’t have any benefits, but if you can get a lot more benefits, why not?

One of these super-combinations is tomatoes and avocado. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant known as carotenoid, which gives the tomato its red, orange, or yellow colour. Combining it with a healthy fat such as avocado makes it easier for the body to absorb lycopene, as fats make carotenoids more bioavailable. Studies have found that people who ate salsa with avocado absorbed 4 times the amount of lycopene than when they ate salsa by itself.

The benefits of increased lycopene absorption are many:

1. Lycopene helps prevent cancer.
2. It reduces inflammation.
3. It helps prevent age-related diseases such as cataracts.
4. It also helps prevent heart disease and blood vessel problems.
5. Keeps your skin looking smoother.

Similar benefits can be reaped when tomatoes are paired with olive oil, another healthy fat. Studies have also found that tomatoes become more concentrated and bioavailable when tomatoes are cooked into a sauce or a paste.

New studies have revealed that combining tomatoes and broccoli prevents prostate cancer. Tomatoes and broccoli both lower the growth of tumours, but more research needs to be done to understand why the combining the two is better.

If you’re looking for ways to combine tomatoes and avocado, here are a few ideas:

1. Guacamole
2. Sandwich/wrap with avocado and tomato
3. Salad with tomatoes, avocado, and beans
4. Avocado as a topping on pizza
5. As toppings on tacos
6. Salsa with avocado

-By Silky Wadhwa

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