In the past, it was commonly believed that pizza was not really a health food. Part of the reason for this is that it was placed in the same group as other fast foods, such as hamburgers and French fries. This is a major mistake, as pizza can actually be a very nutritious meal.
One of the main ingredients in pizza is tomato, which contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Lycopene is known to help fight many different types of cancer. Studies have shown that people who eat pizza at least once a week are much less likely to develop colon and mouth cancer, as well as stomach and lung cancer. It is known to be especially helpful in fighting prostate cancer. Studies have shown that eating pizza can reduce the chance of developing esophageal cancer by almost 59%.
Tomato is the main ingredient in pizza to fight cancer. Incredibly, studies have also shown that processed tomatoes, such as those found on pizza or in spaghetti sauce, are actually higher in lycopene than fresh tomatoes. The reason for this is that during the cooking and processing of tomatoes, the water content evaporates leaving a higher concentration of the antioxidant.
Ketchup is extremely healthy, and for this reason so is pizza, but there are additional toppings for pizza that can also improve your health. Onions are rich in chromium, vitamin C, and fiber. They help lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Black olives are another great addition to pizza. Olives contain ingredients that help prevent heart disease and lower cholesterol. Red bell pepper makes a great pizza topping. They are sweet and tasty, as well as being packed with vitamin C, A, and B6.
Another health benefit of pizza is the dough. Actually, pizza dough is another pizza ingredient that is high in antioxidants, and through certain baking techniques, the antioxidants in the dough can be increased.
Adding even more health benefits to pizza is simple. A vegetable pizza with a little cheese is a very healthy food. You get the great taste and health benefits of pizza without all the extra fat and cholesterol normally associated with meats and cheese. If you’re a meat fanatic and just can’t handle your pizza without meat, you can always add some grilled chicken to your veggie pizza. Chicken offers many health benefits that other meats don’t, and it tastes great.
With the many health benefits of pizza, it can no longer be viewed in the same light as other fast foods.
