London: Want to know the secret to a long
and healthy life? Just help yourself to some tomato seeds, a
new study says.
Researchers in Britain have found that a natural
ingredient found in tomato seeds, called `Fruitflow` which was
discovered in 1999 by Indian-origin Prof Asim Dutta Roy of the
Rowett Institute, is a key component to long and healthy life.
According to the researchers, the ingredient, derived
from the gel around tomato seeds, prevents blood from becoming
sticky and clotting, the `Daily Mail` reported.
Clinical trials have shown that the gel, which is
colourless and tasteless, can help maintain a healthy blood
circulation by preventing the clumping of blood platelets
which can lead to clots.
In fact, the gel works by changing the characteristics
of platelets, which are tiny cells in the blood. Normally they
are smooth, but inflammation in the blood vessels -- linked to
smoking, high cholesterol and stress -- causes them to become
spiky and so stick together, forming clots.
Prof Dutta Roy was quoted as saying, "To date, no
side effects have been demonstrated during the development of
Fruitflow."
PTI
