What is useful about tomato juice — 5 proven health benefits
Natural tomato juice is a drink made from ripe tomatoes without the addition of preservatives and chemical additives.
Due to the content of lycopene, the main active substance, tomato juice has important beneficial properties for the human body. The drink has been used since ancient times to eliminate hangovers and prevent constipation.
5 useful properties
Let's look at the main facts about the health benefits of drinking tomato juice (based on scientific research).
1. It has a rich composition
As part of tomato juice present valuable vitamins and minerals:
| Name of the component | Approximate percentage of the daily value in 100 grams of product |
| calcium | 1 % |
| iron | 2,5 % |
| potassium | 4,2 % |
| sodium | 11,3 % |
| Vitamin C | 50 % |
| Vitamin B2 | 6,3 % |
| Vitamin B6 | 4,5 % |
| Vitamin B12 | 6,3 % |
In addition to minerals and vitamins, tomato juice gives to the human body, carotenoids are special substances that are converted into vitamin A after consumption. In turn, vitamin A supports the normal function of the visual apparatus and accelerates the recovery of any damaged tissues (especially skin). Carotenoids also function independently – they have antioxidant properties.
An important role is assigned magnesium and potassium in tomato juice – they promote weight loss and improve the health of the cardiovascular system.
2. It has an antioxidant effect
Tomato juice is a source of antioxidant substances, mainly lycopene, which is a carotenoid – provitamin A.
An ordinary person, according to experts from the University of North Carolina (USA), gets up to 80% lycopene through the consumption of tomatoes and products based on them.
Lycopene struggling with free radicals that can harm all cells of the body, causing their damage, death or malignant degeneration. Free radicals are also partly responsible for the development of chronic pathologies on the part of any organ system.
According to according to research, lycopene reduces the concentration of the main markers of chronic inflammation in the blood, contributing to the overall improvement of the body. In particular fixed decrease in the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, interleukin-8.
Ascorbic acid, which abounds in tomatoes, also has pronounced antioxidant activity.
3. It benefits the heart and blood vessels
American experts claim that the abundance of tomatoes or their juice in the diet associated
with a low incidence of cardiovascular diseases.
Daily intake of 240-300 ml of the drink allows to reduce the level of total cholesterol, as well as its atherogenic fractions (LDL, TAG).
As a result, the formation and deposition of cholesterol crystals in the inner wall of the arteries and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques , capable of partially or completely blocking the blood flow.
In addition, thrombotic masses can be deposited on plaques, creating an additional obstacle to blood flow.
Also a drink depressing chronic inflammation in the walls of the arteries, which is insignificant, but reduces the likelihood of plaque formation.
Therefore, juice provides prevention of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, chronic cerebral ischemia, stroke and other diseases associated with atherosclerosis.
Tamotany juice is recommended to be consumed by men and women of older age groups in order to prevent deadly vascular diseases.
4. Protects against cancer
Due to the abundance of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances in the composition, tomato juice demonstrates antitumor activity.
The effectiveness of the product against malignant tumors has now been discovered skin and of the prostate gland for men.
Tomato juice can be used not only for the prevention of cancer. The active ingredients are even capable of run apoptosis (programmed death) of tumor cells.
5. Normalizes stool
Constipation is a common problem faced by older age groups, as well as women during pregnancy.
With untimely and inadequate excretion of intestinal contents, the work of internal organs is disrupted, the activity of the central nervous system is inhibited, allergic and chronic diseases worsen.
Installed that fiber , available in tomato juice, improves the motor evacuation function of the walls of the digestive tract, accelerates the advancement of feces and promotes rapid and sufficient bowel emptying.
Tomato juice can be used for the treatment and prevention of constipation daily (1-2 cups). It is especially recommended for elderly people suffering from chronic constipation.
Contraindications
Unfortunately, in isolated cases, tomato juice can cause harm to health. Common side effects are:
- Decompensation of hypertension and chronic heart failure. Tomatoes are saturated with sodium. This mineral causes water retention in the body, which can lead to edema and an increase in blood pressure.
- Irritation of intestinal mucous membranes. Tomatoes can cause exacerbation of chronic diseases of the digestive system or exacerbate their symptoms (gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcer, GERD).
- Allergic reactions. Are quite common, as tomatoes have a bright red color. They manifest themselves in different ways: skin rashes or anaphylactic shock. If you have an allergy to the product in the past, it is better to refrain from using it.
During the period of exacerbation of intestinal diseases, as well as during severe cardiovascular disorders, you should not drink juice to protect your own body.
Pregnant women are recommended to consume no more than 200-250 ml of the drink per day.
Tips for admission
Let's focus on the main subtleties of proper preparation and use of tomato juice:
- How to cook at home. It is necessary to chop a small amount of coarsely chopped tomatoes (blender, food processor or grater). Add water to the mixture in a ratio of 10:1 and put on fire. After boiling, cook for about 5 minutes, as much as possible – until the desired consistency is obtained. The juice is ready.
- How much can I drink. It is recommended to take no more than 200-250 ml of self-made juice and up to 400-500 ml of store-bought juice per day.
- When is it better to take. Tomato juice can be drunk at any time of the day, however, it is better to refrain from drinking it on an empty stomach and before going to bed.
- How to choose the right one in the store. When choosing juice in the store, the data on the package label is of great importance. High-quality purchased tomato juice is made from sauce (indicated in the composition), not pasta, has a short shelf life (up to 1 year, depending on the type of package) and a dark red or even slightly brown color.
- How to store juice. The product can be stored for no more than 7-10 days in the refrigerator (after opening the store packaging). When cooking on your own, you need to drink the juice 1-2 days in advance (store in the same way – in the refrigerator).
Conclusion
- Tomato juice is rich in nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components.
- The drink improves digestion, fights leading cardiovascular and oncological diseases, prevents the development of chronic pathologies from any organ system.
- Juice has a number of contraindications and subtleties of home cooking. They must be taken into account.
