Tomato juice and health benefits

In addition, this drink also has the effect of curing colds, flu, and helps build immunity. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, tomato juice is rich in lycopene and vitamin E, thus, helping cardiovascular health.

When making juice, besides tomatoes, you can also add celery, carrots, beets to the mixture.

Nutritional information about tomatoes

According to Food Trust Central, one cup (240 g) of tomato juice contains:

- Calories: 41

- Protein: 2 grams

- Fiber: 2 grams

- Vitamin A: 22% Daily Value (DV)

- Vitamin C: 74% DV

- Vitamin K: 7% DV

- Thiamine (vitamin B1): 8% DV

- Niacin (vitamin B3): 8% DV

- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6): 13% DV

- Folate (vitamin B9): 12% DV

- Magnesium: 7 percent DV

- Potassium: 16% DV

- Copper: 7% DV

-Manganese: 9% DV

Here are some health benefits of tomato juice:

Meet vitamin and fiber needs

One of the greatest benefits of tomato juice is the natural source of protein it provides to the body.

One cup of tomato juice meets your daily vitamin C needs and also meets about a quarter of your vitamin A needs.

According to the National Institutes of Health, one cup of tomato juice provides 20% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A; 12-15% of potassium and copper, and 5% of magnesium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. It also has 12% of the recommended daily intake of pectin and about 8% of fiber.

Rich in carotenoids and polyphenols

Tomatoes contain bioactive components. They contain phytochemicals such as carotenoids and polyphenols. Carotenoids are converted into vitamin A in our bodies. This helps maintain good vision and tissue health. It may also prevent cancer, according to research published inCancers,Carotenoids are also antioxidants, which help prevent the production of free radicals.

Rich in antioxidants

Antioxidants are incredibly important for your body and tomato juice is rich in an antioxidant called lycopene.

According to a study published in Current Medicinal Chemistry, a glass of tomato juice has 22 mg of lycopene. Lycopene helps protect cells from damage and reduces all signs of inflammation in the body.

A two-month study published in the journal Nutrition looked at the effects of 1.2 cups of tomato juice a day on 30 women. They found a reduction in inflammatory proteins called adipokines. Not only that, the researchers also found a reduction in cholesterol levels and waist circumference.

Helps cure heart disease

Drinking tomato juice regularly helps keep your heart healthy. Lycopene and beta-carotene present in the juice help in treating blood pressure as well as cholesterol.

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition observed 584 participants who actively consumed tomatoes and tomato products for a decade. They had a reduced risk of heart disease compared to the group that did not eat tomatoes.

Another study, published in Maturitas, combined the results of 13 observational studies looking at how tomato consumption lowers cholesterol.

Prevent cancer

Drinking tomato juice also helps prevent many types of cancer. A document published in the journal Scientific Research analyzed 24 studies and concluded that tomato consumption can reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

It may also help treat skin cancer, according to a study in mice published in Scientific Reports. Here, mice were fed tomato powder for 35 weeks.

Side effects of tomato juice

Although tomato juice is extremely healthy, there are some downsides to drinking it regularly. Here are some things you need to be careful about if you consume too much of this drink.

Contentsalt

If you are drinking packaged tomato juice, be sure to check the salt content. Many commercial brands contain too much salt, which can cause health problems such as high blood pressure.

Less fiber than tomatoes

If you are looking to increase your fiber intake, eat whole tomatoes instead of drinking tomato juice. Tomatoes contain 1.4 grams of fiber per 100 grams, while tomato juice contains 0.4 grams of fiber per 100 grams.

High calorie supplement

If you are drinking pre-made tomato juice, make sure to check all the ingredients. Sometimes fruits and other high-calorie items can be added to enhance the flavor, which increases your calorie count. Also, be sure to check the sugar content.

Risk of aggravating digestive disease

If you are experiencing any digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome or GERD, you should avoid tomato juice.