Many people wonder if it is safe or healthy to eat the seeds when eating tomatoes. Some people find it troublesome to remove the seeds and just eat around them or spit them out. Other people don’t mind eating the seeds at all. So what is the verdict – is it safe to eat tomato seeds or should they be avoided? Let’s take a look at some of the potential pros and cons.
Potential benefits of eating tomato seeds
Tomato seeds are a good source of fiber. A single tomato can contain around 1 gram of fiber from the seeds. This can help promote good digestion and regularity. Fiber has also been linked to health benefits like lower cholesterol, better blood sugar control, and reduced risk of some cancers.
The seeds contain other nutrients too. Tomato seeds contain small amounts of iron, niacin, vitamin K, protein, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc. They also contain some antioxidants like phytosterols.
Many of the beneficial lycopene compounds in tomatoes may also be concentrated in the jelly-like gel that surrounds the seeds. This means the seeds may provide some of the protective effects linked to lycopene, such as lower risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
When the seeds are chewed well and swallowed, they can provide a nice crunchy, texture contrast to the soft flesh of the tomato. This can make eating tomatoes a more enjoyable experience for some people.
The bottom line is that while tomato seeds are not very nutritious compared to the flesh and juice of the tomato, they do contain some beneficial nutrients and compounds. Eating the seeds may provide a small boost to the overall nutritional value of eating the tomato. For most people, it should be completely safe to eat the seeds.
Potential downsides of eating tomato seeds
For some people, tomato seeds can be irritating or difficult to digest. Individuals who have diverticulosis, inflammation in the colon, may want to avoid eating seeds that could become lodged and cause issues. People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may also want to avoid eating tomato seeds, as they can exacerbate digestive problems for some.
If not chewed properly, tomato seeds may present a choking hazard, especially for young children. It is best for kids under 5 to avoid hard foods like seeds.
Some people simply find tomato seeds unpleasant to eat. The gel coating around the seeds has a slimy texture that can be off-putting for some. Spitting out the seeds allows these individuals to enjoy the tomato flesh without the textural problems from the seeds.
In very rare cases, a person may be allergic to tomato seeds specifically. This is different than an allergy to tomatoes in general. Talk to a doctor about any suspected food allergies.
While in most cases it is perfectly safe to eat tomato seeds, individuals with chronic digestive issues or seed-specific allergies may feel better avoiding them. For children under 5 years old, it is generally better to seed tomatoes to reduce choking hazards.
Nutritional profile of tomato seeds
Tomato seeds are low in calories and rich in fiber. A 1/4 cup serving of dried tomato seeds contains around:
- 150 calories
- 9 grams protein
- 14 grams fiber
- 12 grams fat
- 20% DV iron
- 15% DV niacin
- 10% DV magnesium
Tomato seeds are a very good source of dietary fiber, providing insoluble fiber that promotes regularity and good digestion.
They also contain small amounts of key minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
Tomato seeds provide antioxidants like phytosterols and vitamin E as well. The fatty acid profile of tomato seeds includes high amounts of polyunsaturated fats and lower amounts of saturated fat.
Overall tomatoes seeds can provide a beneficial nutrient boost, especially when it comes to fiber content. However, their small size means you would need to eat a lot of seeds from many tomatoes to obtain significant amounts of these nutrients. The flesh and juice of tomatoes contain far higher levels of most of these compounds.
Do tomato seeds have lycopene?
Lycopene is the powerful antioxidant compound in tomatoes that gives them their red color. It is concentrated in the skin of tomatoes and provides numerous health benefits.
Research suggests the jelly-like coating around tomato seeds contains lycopene. Therefore, eating tomato seeds may provide some of the protective effects associated with this compound. However, the flesh and skin of tomatoes contain far higher levels.
According to one study, the seed gel had a lycopene concentration of 82 μg/g. By comparison, concentrations were found to be:
- Tomato flesh: 54 μg/g
- Tomato skin: 536 μg/g
So while tomato seeds do have lycopene, there are much higher amounts found in the flesh and concentrated in the skin. If your priority is getting lycopene from tomatoes, focus on eating the flesh and skin rather than the seeds specifically.
Potential health benefits
Due to their nutritional components, eating tomato seeds may provide some benefits:
Fiber
With almost 5 grams of fiber in 1/4 cup, tomato seeds are an excellent source of dietary fiber. The insoluble fiber in them can help promote regularity and healthy digestion. Higher fiber diets have also been linked to benefits like lower heart disease risk, better blood sugar control, and reduced cholesterol.
Antioxidants
Tomato seeds provide antioxidant compounds like phytosterols, vitamin E, and small amounts of lycopene. These antioxidants help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, which are risk factors for many chronic diseases.
Heart health
Research suggests tomato products help lower LDL cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and protect blood vessels, all leading to better heart health. Tomato seeds may contribute by providing antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, potassium, and healthy fats.
Cancer prevention
Many studies have found an association between eating more tomatoes and reduced risk of prostate, lung, stomach, and other cancers. The antioxidants and fiber in tomato seeds may help contribute to this protective effect.
Again though, to get meaningful amounts of these nutrients and obtain the benefits, you would need to eat the seeds from many tomatoes. Most of the health benefits are attributed to the flesh, skin, or extracted lycopene from tomatoes rather than the seeds specifically.
Possible health risks
For most people, tomato seeds do not pose any risks and are safe to eat. However, some individuals may want to avoid them:
Digestive problems
People with diverticulosis, IBS, or other digestive issues may experience worsened symptoms when eating tomato seeds. The seeds could become lodged and cause blockages or irritation.
Choking hazard
Due to their small size and hard texture, tomato seeds pose a choking risk especially for children under 5 years old. It is best to avoid giving young kids foods that contain hard, small seeds.
Allergies
Rarely, some people might be specifically allergic to the proteins found in tomato seeds. Tomatoes are not a common allergy, but seed allergies can occur separately in some cases. Anyone with an allergy should avoid eating tomato seeds.
Aside from the above conditions, most people do not need to worry about any downsides from occasionally eating tomato seeds. Just be sure to chew them thoroughly before swallowing to prevent choking.
Tips for eating tomatoes with seeds
Here are some tips for eating tomato seeds:
- Chew the seeds thoroughly before swallowing to prevent choking.
- Try slicing tomatoes rather than chopping them to keep most seeds intact.
- When making salsa or sauces, blend briefly rather than pureeing to keep some texture.
- Use a gentle touch when cooking or cutting to avoid excessive seed loss.
- Those with digestive issues can try seedless tomato varieties.
- Enjoy seeds as a crunchy, nutritional addition but don’t rely on them as your sole source of nutrients.
Focus on appreciating tomatoes in their whole form – flesh, skin, juice, seeds, and all. The entire vegetable is good for you. If you do wish to remove the seeds, try to retain as much of the beneficial gel coating as you can.
How to remove tomato seeds
If you want to remove tomato seeds, here are some tips:
- Slice the tomato in half horizontally before removing seeds and gel with a spoon or fingers.
- To seed diced tomatoes, squeeze tomato gently over a bowl to eject some seeds before dicing.
- Use a designated tomato shark tool to scoop out the seeds.
- Pass chopped tomatoes through a sieve or food mill to separate seeds.
- Lever out seeds with the tip of a knife.
Take care when removing seeds not to discard all of the beneficial gel layer that encases them. A few seeds left over in recipes is usually fine.
If you want to remove most seeds before cooking tomatoes, like for a sauce or soup, here is an easy seeding method:
Step 1
Slice tomato in half through the middle.
Step 2
Gently scoop out seeds, pulp, and gel with a finger or spoon.
Step 3
Give tomato a gentle squeeze to release more seeds.
This removes most of the seeds while retaining the nutritious juice and flesh of the tomato. Keep in mind some smaller seeds may remain. Repeat seeding with all tomato halves and pieces.
Do you have to remove tomato seeds when cooking?
Most recipes that call for cooked tomatoes do not require you to remove the seeds. A few seeds remaining in sauces, stews, soups, or other dishes is usually fine.
In some cases, you may want to seed tomatoes:
- When making a smooth tomato puree or sauce.
- For tomato paste or canned tomatoes to prevent skins and seeds.
- If seeds worsen digestive issues for you.
- If you greatly dislike the texture of seeds.
Otherwise, it is not strictly necessary to seed tomatoes before cooking them in most recipes. Some chunks or loose seeds can provide texture. Just be sure to puree or blend the dish briefly if you do not want whole seeds in the final cooked product.
Whether you leave seeds in or take them out is a personal preference for most tomato-based dishes.
Should tomato seeds be eaten raw?
Tomato seeds are edible raw and will provide the most nutrition eaten this way. Some people even sprout and eat tomato seeds on their own for potential health benefits.
However, raw tomato seeds may cause issues for some people:
- Digestive problems – seeds could aggravate conditions like IBS or diverticulitis when eaten raw.
- Choking hazards – improper chewing of hard seeds poses a choking risk.
- Allergies – those with tomato seed allergies should avoid eating raw seeds.
As long as you chew raw tomato seeds very well before swallowing, most people do not need to worry about adverse effects. Those with chronic digestive issues should be more cautious about consuming raw seeds to see if they cause any problems.
Cooking tomato seeds can make them softer and easier to digest. So individuals with sensitivities may find cooked or pureed seeds are gentler on their system.
Can dogs eat tomato seeds?
Tomatoes are not toxic to dogs. However, the safety of dogs eating tomato seeds depends on a few factors:
- Size of dog – Large dogs can pass small seeds easily. They pose more of a risk for smaller dogs.
- Quantity – More than just a few seeds could cause issues.
- Digestion – Some dogs may have sensitivity to seeds.
- Chewing – Not chewing well increases choking risk.
A few tomato seeds are generally safe for most dogs as an occasional treat. But avoid feeding dogs too many raw tomato seeds at once, as they may cause:
- Digestive upset
- Blockages or constipation
- Choking if not chewed
It is best to remove all seeds from tomatoes when giving them to small dogs. Monitor dogs closely when giving seeds to be sure they are chewing thoroughly before swallowing.
Some good general guidelines include:
- Remove seeds from tomatoes fed to small dogs under 25 lbs.
- Limit to 1-2 seeds max for larger dogs.
- Cook or puree seeds to soften before feeding.
While not highly toxic, excess tomato seeds could potentially cause problems for dogs. Feed them only occasionally and in small amounts.
Conclusion
For most people, eating tomato seeds is perfectly safe and may add some fiber and nutrients to your diet. However, individuals with digestive issues, children under 5, and those with seed allergies should avoid them.
Chewing the seeds well before swallowing reduces choking risks. If you dislike the texture, try spitting them out when eating tomatoes instead of swallowing. With cooking, there is no need to be meticulous about removing every last seed from recipes.
While not very nutritious compared to the whole tomato, seeds can provide some benefits when consumed. Enjoy your tomatoes – seeds and all – for maximum nutrition and flavor. Just be conscious of proper seed consumption, especially for young kids and dogs.
