7 health benefits of tomato juice
Tomato juice is loved by many for its taste, freshness and ability to invigorate. Another fact adds to the attractiveness: unlike fruit juices, the budget versions of which are usually "enriched" by manufacturers with sweeteners, preservatives and other additives, tomato juice, as a rule, is not flavored with anything except a small amount of table salt. Using this drink, you can be sure that with every sip a substantial portion of useless, and even obviously harmful substances, does not enter the body. Tomato juice largely preserves the quality of the raw material (fresh tomatoes or tomato paste). Today's article is devoted to its useful properties.
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Low calorie content
The calorie content of tomato juice is less than that of most vegetable and all fruit juices (meaning those that are squeezed from fresh fruits and do not contain sweeteners). 100 g of product contains about 20 kcal. It is not surprising that it is becoming one of the components of a wide variety of diets. However, it should be remembered that salted tomato juice can stimulate appetite. People who want to lose weight should prepare this drink on their own, especially since it is not difficult to squeeze juice from ripe tomatoes even in the absence of a juicer.
Tomato juice lowers blood sugar levels. It is officially included in the diet of those suffering from diabetes and obesity.
Saturation with vitamins
Tomato juice is rich in B vitamins, beta-carotene (provitamin A), vitamins C, PP and E. In addition, it contains compounds of iron, copper, manganese, calcium, potassium, fluorine, chromium, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, molybdenum, nickel, chlorine and boron. This set of mineral and biologically active substances is unique, all of them are necessary for the body. Regular consumption of tomato juice can prevent the development of a number of metabolic disorders, including vitamin deficiency.
The ability to lower cholesterol levels
It is usually very difficult to squeeze out only liquid from fresh ripe tomatoes, without pulp. Therefore, tomato juice contains a large amount of fiber, which plays an important role in digestion. Plant fibers help the body to get rid of "bad" cholesterol, which clogs blood vessels and creates preconditions for the development of heart disease.
Help with problems with the heart and blood vessels
In addition to the fact that tomato juice has a pronounced anti-sclerotic effect, it is rich in vitamin B6, which plays an important role in strengthening the walls of blood vessels.
Tomato juice reduces the risk of thrombosis. It is recommended to drink it for varicose veins, hypertension and angina pectoris, as well as after myocardial infarction.
Beneficial effect on the intestines
Tomato juice is irreplaceable in the diet of constipated patients. In addition to fiber, which contributes to the functioning of the intestines, the juice contains substances that increase the tone of the intestinal wall, has choleretic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is recommended for diseases of the duodenum and low acidity of gastric juice.
Removing toxins from the body
Tomato juice is rich in sulfur and chlorine compounds, which have a beneficial effect on the liver and kidneys, therefore it is recommended to include it in the diet of patients suffering from intoxication of the body (alcoholic, medicinal, etc.).
The product has a mild diuretic effect, and when mixed with cabbage juice (in a 1: 1 ratio) it helps those suffering from gallstone disease.
Prevention of cancer and early aging
Tomato juice contains a record amount of lycopene, which is one of the most powerful antioxidants. This substance actively fights free radicals, slowing down the aging process, improving the body's defense system and reducing the risk of developing tumors. It has been proven that regular consumption of tomato juice reduces the risk of developing malignant neoplasms of the cervix, stomach, large intestine, lungs, prostate and pancreas. Lycopene is preserved during heat treatment. That is why tomato juice is considered to be no less useful product than fresh tomatoes: lycopene and other substances important for health are contained in it in a higher concentration. By the way, many manufacturers prefer to make a drink not from raw tomatoes, but from pasta. She keeps welland the product made from it is almost in no way inferior to freshly squeezed juice in taste and nutritional properties.
Almost everyone can drink tomato juice. It is contraindicated only for individual intolerance, increased acidity of gastric juice, exacerbations of peptic ulcer disease, cholecystitis and pancreatitis. A nursing mother should not consume a drink if her baby suffers from diarrhea.
To maximize the benefits of tomato juice, it should be drunk separately from meals (preferably 30 minutes before the main meal). Combinations of a drink with olives, cheese, herbs, garlic, nuts, as well as dishes from cabbage, radish, eggplant, zucchini or sweet pepper are considered optimal for the body.
If you don't have a tomato juicer yet, check out our juicer tips here.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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