Can You Eat Raw Tomato?

More than 124,000 acres of field-grown tomatoes grew in the United States in 2007, with a market value of more than $1.3 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Florida and California lead the list of tomato production in the United States, with Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee completing the top five. Raw tomatoes are a good source of nutrients, are low in calories and a healthy addition to your diet.

Types

Tomatoes may be horticulturally a fruit, but the University of California indicates that the United States Department of Agriculture classifies tomatoes as vegetables. In the past, some people thought tomatoes might contain poisons dangerous to humans. You can plant one of the more than 100 varieties of tomatoes, or choose from the fresh assortment at your grocery store or farmer's market. Common varieties of tomatoes include Early Girl, Roma, Better Boy, Beefmaster and Brandywine. Each has its own flavor profile and textural characteristics.

Nutrients

Both raw and canned tomatoes contain lycopene, which is the natural chemical that makes the tomato red. The National Institutes of Health indicates that although some research supports the cancer-fighting benefits of lycopene, the results are currently insufficient to make a direct connection. Additionally, a study published in the April 2002 issue of the "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry" indicated that cooked tomatoes contain more lycopene than raw tomatoes, and that raw tomatoes contain more vitamin C than cooked. A 1 cup serving raw tomatoes has 32 calories, while the same size serving of cooked tomatoes contains 41 calories. Raw tomatoes contain a trace of iron, 18 mg of calcium, 25 mg of vitamin C and 27 mcg of folate, making them a healthy, low-calorie choice.

Uses

Raw tomatoes enhance the nutrient content and taste of green salads, pasta salads and add texture to a hamburger made with lean ground beef. You can add raw tomatoes to a cold tortellini salad, or chop the tomatoes for a homemade salsa. If you are following a raw food diet, you can use raw tomatoes in a raw spaghetti sauce or barbecue sauce. Adding 1/2 cup of tomatoes to your turkey or chicken sandwich helps you meet your vegetable requirement. Toast small pieces of French or Italian bread, top with diced tomatoes and drizzle with olive oil for a healthful bruschetta.

Considerations

Tomatoes do not appear on the Environmental Working Group's list of the dirtiest fruits and vegetables, however neither do they appear on the cleanest list. The University of California Extension office recommends washing raw tomatoes by rubbing each tomato with a paper towel while holding the tomato under running water and drying before using. Avoid placing raw tomatoes in the refrigerator, as the cold causes them to turn mushy. Instead, leave them on your countertop until you are ready to eat them.