Tomato vs. Persimmon — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Macronutrients and Calories

Tomato contains slightly more proteins. Tomato has about 94.5% water, whereas persimmon contains 64.5% water. On the other hand, persimmons contain more carbs and fats.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Tomato

2

Protein: 0.88 g

Fats: 0.2 g

Carbs: 3.89 g

Water: 94.52 g

Other: 0.51 g

Persimmon

3

Protein: 0.8 g

Fats: 0.4 g

Carbs: 33.5 g

Water: 64.4 g

Other: 0.9 g

Contains more WaterWater

+46.8%

Contains more FatsFats	+100%
Contains more CarbsCarbs	+761.2%
Contains more OtherOther	+76.5%

~equal in Protein ~0.8g

Calories

A hundred grams of tomato contains 18 calories, whereas the same amount of persimmon contains 127 calories.

Protein

The amount of protein in both is low. 100g of tomatoes contains 0.88g of protein, and the same amount of persimmons contains 0.8g.

Fats

A 100g tomato contains 0.2g of fat, while a 100g of persimmon contains 0.4g. Both do not contain trans fats.

Tomatoes and persimmons naturally contain no cholesterol.

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Tomato

2

Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 0.028 g

Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 0.031 g

Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.083 g

Persimmon

1

Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat	+∞%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat	+∞%

Carbohydrates

Persimmons contain a significantly higher level of carbohydrates due to their net carbs content. Persimmon contains 33.5g net carbs, while tomato contains only 2.69g. 

Aside from net carbs, the main carbohydrates found in tomatoes are dietary fiber, fructose, and glucose.

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Tomato

2

Starch: 0 g

Sucrose: 0 g

Glucose: 1.25 g

Fructose: 1.37 g

Lactose: 0 g

Maltose: 0 g

Galactose: 0 g

Persimmon

0

Contains more GlucoseGlucose	+∞%
Contains more FructoseFructose	+∞%

~equal in Starch ~

~equal in Sucrose ~

~equal in Lactose ~

~equal in Maltose ~

~equal in Galactose ~

Vitamins

Tomatoes are relatively richer in vitamins. Tomatoes include several B-group vitamins, including vitamins B1, B3, B5, and B6, and folate. 

Tomatoes also contain small amounts of vitamin A and vitamin K.

Persimmons, on the other hand, are a significant source of vitamin C. They have five times more vitamin C content than tomatoes.

Both of them are absent in vitamin D and vitamin B12.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Tomato

10

Persimmon

1

Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K	+∞%
Contains more FolateFolate	+∞%
Contains more CholineCholine	+∞%

Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C

+381.8%

~equal in Vitamin D ~µg

~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg

Minerals

Tomatoes are higher in zinc, magnesium, copper, and choline.

At the same time, persimmons contain more significant amounts of calcium, iron, and potassium.

Both have a low amount of sodium, although persimmons have a lower sodium content than tomatoes.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Tomato

4

Persimmon

4

Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium	+∞%
Contains more CopperCopper	+∞%
Contains more ZincZinc	+∞%
Contains more ManganeseManganese	+∞%

Contains more CalciumCalcium	+170%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium	+30.8%
Contains more IronIron	+825.9%
Contains less SodiumSodium	-80%

~equal in Phosphorus ~26mg

~equal in Selenium ~µg

Phytochemicals

One of the most important phytochemicals found in tomatoes is lycopene, which is a red carotenoid pigment. 100g of tomatoes contain 12 mg lycopene(1). 

Bioactive compounds found in persimmon include proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, and carotenoids. Tannins are one of the most significant phytochemicals in persimmons(2).

Both lycopene and tannin have antioxidant effects(1)(3). 

Glycemic Index

Tomato has a glycemic index of 23, whereas persimmon has a glycemic index of 61. 

So tomato is classified as a low glycemic index food, whereas persimmon is a medium glycemic food.

Glycemic Load

The glycemic load of tomatoes is equal to 1. The glycemic load of persimmon is equal to 5.

As we can see, persimmons tend to have a higher glycemic load than tomatoes. However, the glycemic load of both tomato and persimmon falls in the low category.

Insulin Index

There are no specific insulin index values for tomatoes. The insulin index of persimmon is 47.

Acidity

Persimmon ranges from 4.42 to 4.70 (4). Tomato acidity has been determined to be -4.1 based on the PRAL, making it alkaline. Tomatoes have a pH of 4.3-4.9. Persimmon has an alkaline PRAL of -5.5.

Cardiovascular Health

Section reviewed by cardiologist Astghik Grigoryan

There is Chinese literature on the use of dietary therapy to manage hypertension. Both of these products are on this food therapy list (5). 

According to studies, tomato and persimmon consumption may reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in the blood. In addition, persimmon may inhibit HMG-CoA reductase activity, similar to antihyperlipidemic drugs (statins) (2.6.7).

Both tomatoes and persimmons may decrease the risk of platelet aggregation and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (3.8).

Diabetes

Persimmon peel, rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber and has anti-diabetic effects, could be used as a nutritional supplement to help with diabetes complications and hyperglycemia(9).

Consuming lycopene, which contains in tomatoes, on the other hand, may help reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics, according to research. Furthermore, lycopene effectively manages diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy, and other complications(10). 

Cancer

As mentioned above, tomatoes contain lycopene. Lycopene has been suggested as a potential cancer preventive agent, notably for prostate cancer(1). 

Persimmons, conversely, are thought to be beneficial in treating prostate and breast cancers, oral carcinoma cells, human lymphoid leukemia cells, and female precancerous colon polyps(9).

Nervous system

Overall, both foods have a neuroprotective effect. 

Bioactive tomato constituents, such as polyphenols and carotenoids,  play a protective modulator role in the pathogenetic mechanisms, cognitive symptoms, and behavioral manifestations of Alzheimer's disease(11). 

The other review describes the importance of tannin as an essential compound against Alzheimer's disease(12).