Health Benefits & Medicinal Uses of Tomatillo (Physalis Philadelphica)

Mexican husk tomato names

The fruit is known as Mexican husk tomato because it is native to Mexico. It comes under the nightshade family and is widely used as a cuisine in Mexico for various dishes. One of the essential dishes where it is mainly used is the Salsa verde of Mexico. Now, it is grown all over the world. It is known by different names such as tomatillo, husk tomato, husk cherry, Mexican groundcherry, large-flowered tomatillo, Mexican husk tomato, Mexican tomato, husk tomato, Mexican green tomato, and miltomate in different parts of the world.

  • Botanical name/Biological name: Physalis philadelphica
  • Mexican husk tomato: Mexico
  • Tomate de cascara, tomate de fresadilla, tomate milpero, tomate verde: Spain
  • Miltomate: Guatemala

10 Top benefits of Mexican husk tomato

Mexican husk tomato is known for its multiple health benefits. It is suitable for diabetes patients, helps to lower blood pressure, can be used for weight loss management, enhances the body’s energy level and has other health advantages.

  1. Tomatillo nutritional facts: The nutritional facts of 100 grams of Mexican husk tomato are as follows: Energy (32 calories), fat (1gram), sodium (1mg), potassium (268mg), carbohydrate (6g), dietary fibre (1.9g), sugar (3.9g), protein (1g), vitamin A (2%), vitamin C (19%), iron (3%), vitamin B-6 (5%)  and magnesium (5%). It also has many phytochemicals, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene.
  2. Prevent gastritis and bloating: It has adequate dietary fibre that smooths digestion and speeds up digestion activities. Healthy digestion helps to treat constipation, gas & gastritis, and bloating. It is also beneficial for colon health and ulcers.
  3. Diabetes control: The fruit helps break complex carbohydrates into simpler forms that can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream, thus beneficial for those with sugar problems.
  4. Prevents cancer: It has the right phytochemicals and antioxidants. Compounds like withanolides, flavonoids, and vitamins A and C help combat oral and lung cancer.
  5. Boosts the immune system: The fruit contains vitamin C, which stimulates the production of white blood cells (WBC) and develops a mechanism to combat pathogens inside the body.
  6. Good for weight loss: Low calorie, low fat, no cholesterol but high in nutrients and fibre, make the tomatillo one of the effective means for those who want fat burning.
  7. Improves vision: It has vitamin A, the source of beta carotene that prevents muscular degeneration and improves the overall health of your eyes.
  8. Increases the energy level: It raises your energy level because the presence of niacin breaks down the complex compounds into simple forms from where energy channelisation is easy.
  9. Low blood pressure: It is suitable for your heart as it has a fantastic proportion of potassium and sodium. An adequate amount of potassium and a lesser quantity of sodium benefit the cardiovascular system as potassium acts as a vasodilator.
  10. Withanolides: A research report published by the University of Kansas, the USA, confirmed that tomatillo contains 14 phytochemical compounds, termed withanolides. These compounds can be essential against melanomas and cancers like the thyroid, breast, pancreas, and oesophagus. Such compounds act as chemo-preventive

Tomatillo recipes

Mexican husk tomato is one of Central American recipe preparation’s most essential sought-after fruits. It has a little bit of lemon-like taste and is one of the critical components of Mexican recipes like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. It is primarily used with soups, salads, and sandwiches. The fruit increases the flavour of Salsa verde and is also an essential constituent of it.  Its recipes are also used as quinoa, corn, and tomatillo salad.

Precautions

A person with arthritis or inflammation should consult a physician before taking tomatillos. It shouldn’t be eaten in excess amounts. Always have this fruit in moderate quantity.

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