Chef James Martin, famed for his show James Martin’s Saturday Morning on ITV, has unveiled his favourite breakfast following his impressive 3-stone weight loss. The dish is strikingly simple, consisting of just two ingredients, yet packs a powerful nutritional punch. Drawing inspiration from his travels in Spain, featured in his book James Martin’s Spanish Adventure, the chef crafted recipes highlighting local ingredients he encountered on his journey.
His go-to breakfast? Grilled tomatoes on toast. James describes it as “simple and very tasty,” pairing it with barbecued leeks, lardons, and hazelnuts for a hearty finish.
Tomatoes, technically a fruit, are among the most globally consumed due to their versatility and abundant nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, folate, and most notably, lycopene. The late Dr. Michael Mosley, a well-known health expert who passed away in June 2024, emphasized the underestimated benefits of tomatoes. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Just One Thing, he underlined how tomatoes—whether cooked, raw, or juiced—offer several health advantages.
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Dr. Mosley explained, “Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene that helps the body fight off free radicals—chemicals that damage cells.” Lycopene becomes especially potent when tomatoes are cooked, as heat breaks down the fruit’s tough cell walls, making lycopene more bioavailable. This means that tomato sauce, whether fresh, tinned, or even ketchup, can deliver more lycopene than raw tomatoes. Adding olive oil during cooking further enhances lycopene absorption.
Crucially, lycopene has been linked to prostate cancer prevention. Dr. Mosley pointed out research by Professor Richard van Breemen from Oregon State University, who observed lower incidence of prostate cancer among men with high lycopene intake from tomato products. In his study, men at risk of prostate cancer consumed pasta with tomato sauce for three weeks, resulting in increased lycopene levels in blood and prostate tissue and reduced oxidative stress—a key contributor to cancer development.
Beyond prostate cancer, some evidence suggests lycopene might also offer benefits for women fighting breast cancer. With its rich nutritional profile and ease of preparation, James Martin’s grilled tomato on toast is a simple, delicious way to boost your health.