Credit… Christopher Simpson for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Prop Stylist: Paige Hicks. They’re juicy, versatile and in season. Here are their nutritional benefits, and recipes to make the most of them.

Credit…Christopher Simpson for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Prop Stylist: Paige Hicks. Aug. 2, 2024

Tomatoes have come a long way since the 16th century, when some Europeans called them “ poison apples ” because they were mistakenly believed to be toxic. Now, they’re the second-most consumed vegetable in the United States (behind only potatoes) and recognized for a range of health benefits.

Here’s what nutrition experts say about tomatoes, along with some simple summer recipes from New York Times Cooking .

Five Weeknight Dishes

Try some of NYT Cooking’s favorite tomato recipes for easy, delicious dinners. They’re hydrating.

Tomatoes are 95 percent water. One cup of chopped raw tomatoes has nearly 6 ounces of water, making them even more hydrating than watermelon .

Fresh, raw tomatoes have the highest water content, said John Erdman, a professor emeritus of nutrition and food science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. When they’re cooked, they tend to lose a bit. Their lycopene may help protect against cancer.

Tomatoes pack a hefty dose of the antioxidant lycopene , whether they’re raw, cooked or sun-dried. Tomatoes and tomato products (ketchup, spaghetti sauce, tomato juice) provide more than 80 percent of the lycopene in the U.S. diet, Dr. Erdman said. The Facts Behind 5 Supplements Card 1 of 5 Collagen. Collagen, is one of the most abundant proteins in the body and helps form our skin, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. As we age, we naturally start reducing its production. Some studies show that taking collagen supplements can reduce signs of aging, increase bone density and improve joint, back and knee pain. But many of these studies are small and funded by the companies behind such products, increasing the opportunity for bias. Certain products also have flaws that reduce the likelihood of their efficacy: Topical creams, for example, are unlikely to make it into the deeper level of the skin where […]

How Healthy Are Tomatoes?