Not all tomatoes are equal

Tomatoes grown organically have been proven to have a greater number of antioxidants than tomatoes grown conventionally.

Researchers at the University of California, who have been producing tomatoes by both conventional and organic farming methods for 10 years, have found their organic tomatoes are 79% and 97% higher in the antioxidants quercetin and kaempferol respectively.

Dr Alysoin Mitchell, the lead researcher who discussed her research when in New Zealand recently, says the antioxidants in the tomatoes are naturally produced when plants faced pest and environmental stress, which is more likely in organic farming.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, June 2007 and Food Industry Weekly, July 2008