Benefits and harm to the liver of tomato juice and tomatoes — 8 facts

Many of us cannot imagine life without tomatoes and tomatoes. In summer, a delicious salad with tomatoes and cucumbers is sure to be on the table, in winter how to do without twists with pickles, tomato pastes, ketchups and tomato juice.

Many people know about the benefits of tomatoes, but how many people know about the harm that they can cause to the liver and other digestive tract organs if consumed incorrectly?

8 facts about the possible harm of tomatoes

In fact, eating this vegetable in unlimited quantities is not worth it even with a healthy liver. Substances in the composition (in particular, oxalic acid) of tomatoes contribute to the development of the following pathologies:

1. Increased load on the liver;
2. Accumulation of fats and, accordingly, changes in liver tissues (development of fatty hepatosis);
3. Formation of gallstones clogging the ducts;
4. Movement of existing stones in the bile ducts, blockage of channels and enlargement of the gallbladder in size;
5. Irritation of the esophagus and gastrointestinal mucosa;
6. Increase in the amount of fluid excreted from the body;
7. Water-salt metabolism failure;
8. Violation of the normal breakdown of fats.

If you already have pathologies from the above list, then eating tomatoes and tomato juice is contraindicated.

10 cases where they need to be limited

Excessive consumption of tomatoes provokes not only problems with the liver and digestive tract. It is necessary to limit or completely exclude this vegetable from the diet if you have the following disorders:

1. Liver pathologies of varying severity. Even a predisposition to liver disease requires avoiding tomatoes in the diet, since there is a high risk that the vegetable will work as a catalyst and start the process of developing the disease;
2. If you are diagnosed with an ulcer or gastritis, it is advisable to minimize this vegetable or exclude it altogether;
3. Chronic diseases of the kidneys, pancreas and genitourinary system;
4. Gallstones, kidneys, urinary ducts;
5. Hypotension (tomatoes can lower blood pressure);
6. Tomatoes have poor compatibility with other food products, for example, meat products, eggs, bread, fish varieties. Simultaneous intake of these dishes is prohibited;
7. Irritated esophagus, sensitive gastrointestinal mucosa, tendency to permanent heartburn;
8. The presence of chronic gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis, etc.).
9. Tendency to an allergic reaction of any etiology (including all food types of allergies);
10. There is arthritis, gout or any other disorders of water-salt metabolism;

Is it possible to eat tomatoes with a sick liver?

Everything is not so clear here. In fact, tomatoes can be included in the complex therapy for the treatment of the liver, but the decision to include a vegetable in the diet is made only by your doctor and no one else!

Why can't you include them in your diet yourself? The use of tomatoes as a therapeutic agent for liver pathologies without the permission of a doctor (especially if you have a vague idea of your own clinical picture) can lead to an aggravation of the disease , as well as the appearance of third-party side symptoms, which you are unlikely to get rid of by simply excluding the product from the diet.

Tomatoes are usually used to cleanse the liver. It is especially good to combine the product with fresh herbs. If you eat tomatoes before lunch, they are able to remove phosphate microliths from the liver channels. In addition, vegetables regulate lipid metabolism, lower cholesterol levels and increase the amount of bile produced.

For cirrhosis

If, after a detailed examination and consultation with a specialist, it was decided to include tomatoes in the diet, then you need to familiarize yourself with some of the features of eating these vegetables:

1. They contain a large amount of potassium , which increases the amount of fluid excreted from the body. This is important for ascites. But, again, keep in mind the measure and possible complications;
2. Yellow or orange tomatoes should only be eaten fresh. There are no allergens in their composition (unless they were "fed" with chemicals), they contain much less liquid, they are less caloric. But in this variety there is more pulp, vitamin A (by the way, one of the effective elements for the prevention of cancers). A low content of vitamin C can help in the fight against persistent heartburn. The myocin in these vegetables is capable of increase the strength of vascular walls and activate the antioxidant functionality;
3. You can use tomato "fresh". But remember that you can not use purchased juices. One cup of juice a day is enough.

For fatty hepatosis

A similar situation (similar to cirrhosis) in obese liver. In most cases, with fatty hepatosis, doctors exclude tomatoes and all derivatives from the patient's diet.

In some cases, it is possible to include vegetables in the diet menu, but in very small doses, only fresh and under the strict supervision of your doctor.

 

How they are useful — 4 facts

Of course, it cannot be said that tomatoes are only harmful. These vegetables also have beneficial properties for the digestive tract and liver. First of all, it is:

1. Cleansing . Both choleretic and antioxidant functions are included here at once. With pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and biliary tract, tomatoes are able to lower cholesterol, control weight, free the intestines (while relieving constipation and colitis), as well as remove toxins from the blood and the whole body;
2. Oncoprotection. Tomatoes contain vitamin A in their composition, which helps to trigger the regenerating functions of the liver, protecting its tissues from the development of cirrhosis and its transition to the cancerous stage;
3. Anti-inflammatory effect. It is believed that tomato juice can help patients suffering from inflammatory processes in the liver, gall bladder, gastrointestinal tract and duodenum.
4. Other positive properties . Tomatoes contain a large amount of vitamins, especially useful for anemia , depression , off-season decline of immunity, hemophilia, thrombosis. In addition, scientists confirm that  tomatoes are good for the heart and blood vessels ;

Safe use scheme

The amount of vegetables that you should eat per day should be selected only by your doctor, based on the characteristics of your clinical picture.

In any case, follow the following rules:

1. For liver diseases, only fresh tomatoes and tomatoes should be consumed.
2. It is allowed to eat both red varieties, as well as yellow and orange ones.
3. It is advisable to purchase vegetables that you will be sure are environmentally friendly. Tomatoes treated with chemicals and stuffed with nitrates will definitely not add to your health.
4. It is advisable to combine fresh tomatoes with other fresh vegetables and herbs. You can prepare a salad (seasoning it with olive oil and lemon juice).
5. In no case should you use pickled or salted vegetables, as well as purchased packaged juices.
6. Be sure to replace ketchup with homemade sauce. Avoid any preservatives, spices, vinegar, or flavorings.

It is also recommended to use fresh tomatoes. It is especially good to use tomato juice for liver inflammation:

1. Take in equal parts freshly squeezed tomato juice and brine (from cabbage). Mix the ingredients in 1 cup. Drink this drink three times a day after meals;
2. Take in equal parts (1:1) freshly squeezed tomato juice and carrot juice. Mix the juices and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to them.
3. Such a drink should be consumed twice a day after meals.

Of course, such recipes will not stop the development of cirrhosis or rid you of other liver pathologies, but they will improve the general condition of the body and prevent the development of more severe forms of diseases. Be sure to combine this diet with other medicinal products.

7 More Important Dietary Recommendations

In order to prevent the appearance of an aggravation of the disease, we recommend following the following recommendations:

1. Balance your diet. Provide the body with enough nutrients. Consult with a nutritionist about the balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in your menu. The lack or excess of one of the elements will completely disrupt the metabolic processes, and you definitely do not need it;
2. Include vegetables and fruits in your diet . Fiber-rich fresh vegetables or fruits will help eliminate excess cholesterol from the body;
3. Keep an eye on the fat level in the diet . Normal liver function is impossible without a sufficient amount of protein, and normal protein absorption is impossible without a sufficient amount of fat;
4. With constant exercise, increase the amount of carbohydrates. An increase in the amount of carbohydrates should be made at the expense of fruits and vegetables rich in them;
5. Drink enough fluids. The total amount of liquid consumed per day can reach up to 2.5 liters. If there is a fluid retention in the tissues, then reduce the amount of salt consumed to 2-3 grams per day. Restriction in the amount of fluid is possible only with cirrhotic liver pathology;
6. Vitamins B are required . If you have liver problems, you should definitely include B vitamins (riboflavin, nicotinic acid, vitamin B12, etc.) in your diet;
7. Differentiate between meals. You should eat 5-6 times a day. The last meal should be carried out no later than 2-3 hours before going to bed. The dishes should be warm (not hot or cold). All dishes should be steamed, either boiled or baked. Fried food is completely excluded from the diet. Avoid overeating or heavy eating.

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Conclusion

Not all fruits and vegetables are equally healthy, no matter what the old Soviet wisdom says. If you have abnormalities in the body or have already developed pathologies, then it is necessary to monitor your diet. You should not eat those foods about the properties of which you are not sufficiently aware. This is especially true for problems with the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Be sure to consult with your doctor before including tomatoes in your diet menu.