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When you think of "health food," pizza probably isn't the first thing to come to mind. But today, many pizza shops offer a variety of options that can allow you to indulge with a great pie without doing major damage to your arteries. Here are three ways in which some types of pizza can actually be good for you.

Pizza Can Help You Get a Solid Dose of Lycopene

Lycopene is an antioxidant that can help prevent heart disease and other problems. Tomatoes, which are obviously a part of every pizza in the form of the sauce, contain this substance. But what really makes pizza great for lycopene intake is that when you eat a food with a lot of lycopene in it and mix it with something which also has a bit of oil or fat (like pizza cheese), your body will actually absorb more of the lycopene into your system.

Gluten-Free Pizza is Available

An increasing number of people are trying to cut gluten from their diets, as the substance has been traced in some studies to various health problems.  Gluten-free tends to come and go as a health fad, but if you are interested in trying out this specific diet, you should know that you won't have to skip out on your favorite dish. Many pizza companies, ranging from national chains to local shops, are now offering gluten-free pizza to cater to individuals who want to have a great slice of pie while maintaining their diet plans. 

The Oregano Oil in Your Pizza Can Help Kill Cells That Cause Cancer

Oregano oil is a common ingredient in many types of pizza, and the oil contains something called carvacrol. This substance is sometimes used to help treat prostate cancer because it can get into the cancer cells and essentially get them to die off. Other studies have shown that pizza may also help prevent other types of cancer as well.

Pizza is often viewed as a "guilt food," and sometimes, that's probably an accurate assessment. But pizza does naturally some properties that can help your body stay healthy in other ways. The lycopene found in tomato sauce can help fight heart disease, and other substances found in pizza like oregano oil can help fight cancer. In addition to the many places that offer vegetarian pizza dishes today, some shops are also offering gluten-free options as well. If you're still worried about the fat and oil, call your local pizza shop and see if they'll build a custom pie for you just the way you, and your diet, like it.

For more information, contact Barros Pizza or a similar location.