You might see modified purple tomatoes in your grocery aisles, but should you buy them?
There was groundbreaking news in the produce world in the fall of 2022.
On the surface, this may seem like a win-win for health and adding color to dishes.
Photo: Norfolk Plant Sciences. EatingWell design.
However, bringing these purple fruits to market isn’t without controversy.
Here’s everything you’re gonna wanna know about purple tomatoes.
Purple TomatoesWhy and How?
Tomatoes are a staple food in many people’s daily diets.
From salads and sandwiches to ketchup and spaghetti sauce, tomatoes are a key ingredient in many dishes.
Moreover, tomatoes providemany health benefitsdue to their amazing nutrients.
Both of these antioxidants also happen to be the pigment source for many of your most vibrantly colored produce.
However, anthocyanins exhibit some of the most potent disease-fighting properties, per a 2020 article published inMolecules.
This prompted researchers to begin their quest 15 years ago to grow a tomato rich in lycopeneandanthocyanins.
Plus, it also contains anthocyanin levels comparable to what you’d get in a serving of blueberries.
This means the purple tomato could possibly be one of the best sources of antioxidants to exist.
GMOs are a source of concern, controversy and confusion for many consumers.
So here are some quick GMO basics to help you determine if purple tomatoes should be in your diet.
Technically, genetic modification has been occurring for thousands of years through cross-pollination and crossbreeding.
Still, it’s the modernized form done in a lab for a specific purpose that makes consumers wary.
For instance, in the agricultural world, the intention has been to address issues affecting farmers and sustainability.
For example, genetic modification has made crops more pest-resistant, so fewer pesticides and herbicides are used.
What Does Research Say about GMOs?
While the process sounds somewhat Frankenstein-like, GMOs are safe to eat, per theFDA.
The Bottom Line
Purple tomatoes were developed to have higher anthocyanin levels and provide more health benefits.
Federal agencies such as the USDA, FDA and EPA ensure that GMOs are safe for human consumption.
So, will purple tomatoes be in your grocery cart?
This is something you have to decide for yourself and your family.
