What should not be eaten with tomatoes?
Jul 18, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, tomatoes should not be consumed together with dairy products, persimmons, lemons, or similar foods, nor should they be taken with anticoagulant medications, antihypertensive drugs, or antiepileptic drugs. Additionally, tomatoes should not be combined with bananas, strawberries, antibiotics, antipsychotic medications, or similar substances. It is important to note that if any discomfort or adverse symptoms occur, prompt medical attention is recommended, and professional medical advice should be sought.
Under normal circumstances, tomatoes should not be consumed together with dairy products, persimmons, lemons, or other similar foods, nor should they be taken with anticoagulant drugs, antihypertensive medications, antiepileptic drugs, and others. The detailed analysis is as follows:
I. Foods
1. Dairy Products: Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, while the calcium ions in dairy products can bind with vitamin C to form insoluble precipitates, thereby reducing the absorption rate of vitamin C. Additionally, the acidic components in tomatoes may combine with proteins in dairy products, potentially causing gastrointestinal discomfort, indigestion, or diarrhea.
2. Persimmons: Both tomatoes and persimmons are acidic foods. Consuming them together may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort such as stomach pain and bloating. Moreover, persimmons contain high levels of tannic acid, which can interact with vitamin C in tomatoes to form insoluble substances, impairing the absorption and utilization of vitamin C.
3. Lemons: Tomatoes and lemons are both acidic. When consumed together, they may stimulate excessive gastric acid secretion, leading to stomach pain and indigestion. Furthermore, the citric acid in lemons may react with the abundant vitamin C in tomatoes, reducing the stability and bioavailability of vitamin C.
II. Medications
1. Anticoagulant Drugs: Tomatoes are rich in vitamin K, whereas anticoagulant medications (such as warfarin sodium tablets) work by inhibiting vitamin K synthesis to reduce blood clotting. Consuming tomatoes concurrently may increase vitamin K intake, potentially diminishing the drug's effectiveness and increasing the risk of bleeding.
2. Antihypertensive Drugs: Certain antihypertensive medications like nifedipine controlled-release tablets and verapamil hydrochloride tablets may cause hyperkalemia. Since tomatoes are high in potassium, consuming them together may further increase potassium intake, thereby elevating the risk of hyperkalemia.
3. Antiepileptic Drugs: Antiepileptic medications such as phenytoin sodium tablets and carbamazepine capsules may interact with certain components in tomatoes (e.g., citric acid), affecting the metabolism and excretion of the drugs and potentially reducing their therapeutic efficacy.
In addition, tomatoes should not be consumed with bananas, strawberries, antibiotics, antipsychotic medications, or similar substances. It is important to note that if any adverse symptoms occur, prompt medical attention and consultation with a healthcare professional are recommended.
