Tomato Soup Recipe from Central NJ Acupuncture! | The Monmouth Moms
   Dr. Yuliya is a local acupuncturist who specializes in female and male infertility, making dreams come true for New Jersey couples. In her treatment plans, Dr. Yuliya combines acupuncture, herbal formulas, and moxibustion with dietary recommendations.  Nowadays, people rarely look at daily food as powerful medicine; however, for thousands of years proper diets kept our ancestors healthy and strong.
 Did you know that 40-50% infertility in couples is due to a “male factor”?  Dr. Yuliya recommends to all her male fertility patients include tomato soup in their regular diet and this is why:

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) have relatively few calories, but they are packed with nutrients and beneficial plant compounds.  One of them is Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.

[Oxidative stress is a major cause of male infertility. It can lead to sperm damage that causes decreased sperm viability and motility (42Trusted Source43Trusted Source). Research suggests that taking lycopene supplements may be a potential fertility treatment. This is because lycopene’s antioxidant properties may increase the chances of producing a higher count of healthy sperm (42Trusted Source43Trusted Source). One study in 44 men with infertility concluded that consuming commercial tomato products, such as tomato juice or soup, significantly increased blood lycopene levels, resulting in improved sperm motility (44Trusted Source). Additionally, one animal study found that lycopene may reduce damage due to radiation therapy. This damage is often characterized by a lowered sperm count (45Trusted Source).]
Dr. Yuliya recommends the following recipe to her patients struggling with infertility:
Fresh Tomato soup with Whole-Grain Croutons⠀
Tomatoes are good source of lycopene, which is important for sperm production. This simple, low-cal soup is a great way to enjoy them. the whole-grain croutons dissolve into the chunky, rich soup, giving it an earthy texture.⠀
Ingredients:⠀
3 & 1/2 pounds tomatoes ⠀
2 tablespoon olive oil ⠀
1 clove garlic, thinly slice⠀
2 cups chicken broth⠀
1/3 cup packed fresh basil leaves⠀
salt⠀
Freshly Ground pepper⠀
3 slices crusty whole-grain bread, toasted and torn into rough chunks ⠀
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese ⠀

Directions:⠀
1. Core tomatoes and cut in half crosswise. Gently squeeze over a large bowl to catch juices. Coarsely chop tomatoes and add to bowl⠀

2. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. ⠀

3. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 45 seconds. Add the tomatoes and the broth⠀

4. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and cook 10 to 15 minutes to blend flavors.⠀

5. Stir in basil and season with salt and pepper. Spoon into bowls and top each with croutons and about 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese. ⠀

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