Tomato juice is a popular beverage that provides a variety of vitamins, minerals and powerful antioxidants (1). Benefits and Downsides of Tomato Juice.
It is especially rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant with effective health benefits.
However, some believe that due to high sodium content found in some brands, tomato juice can not be as healthy.
This article discusses possible health benefits and deterioration of tomato juice.
Highly nutritious
Tomato juice is a popular beverage, made from fresh tomato juice.
Although you can buy pure tomato juice, many popular products – like V8 – mix it with other vegetable juices such as celery, carrot and beet.
Here is the information of 100% canned tomato juice (2) 1 cup (240 ml) nutrition information:
Calories: 41
Protein: 2 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Vitamin A: 22% of daily value (dv)
Vitamin C: 74% dv
Vitamin K: 7% dv
Thiamin (Vitamin B1): 8% dv
Niacin (Vitamin B3): 8% dv
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): 13% dv
Folate (Vitamin B9): 12% of DV
Magnesium: 7% of DV
Potassium: 16% of DV
Copper: 7% of DV
Manganese: 9% of DV
As you can see, tomato juice is highly nutritious and packaged in many important vitamins and minerals.
For example, by drinking just 1 cup of tomato juice (240 ml), your daily vitamin c needs are met and it completes 22% of your vitamin A needs as alpha and beta-carotenoids.
Carotenoides convert to vitamin A in your body (3).
This vitamin is essential for healthy vision and tissue maintenance.
These carotenoids not only convert to vitamin A, but also act as powerful cells, which protect your cells from the loss of volatile molecules called free radicals.
Free radical damage has been linked to chronic conditions like heart disease and it is believed that it plays a role in the aging process (4, 5).
In addition, tomato juice is full of magnesium and potassium – two minerals (6, 7) important for cardiovascular health.
It is also an excellent source of B vitamins, which include folate and vitamin B6, which are important for your metabolism and many other functions (8, 9).
High in antioxidant
Tomato juice is a concentrated source of powerful antioxidants like lycopene, a carotenoid plant pigment that is linked to effective health benefits.
In fact, Americans get more than 80% of their lycopene with products like tomato and tomato juice (10).
Lycopene protects your cells from free radical damage, causing swelling in your body (11).
Many studies have shown that by drinking lycopene-rich tomato juice, you have a beneficial effect on your health – especially reducing inflammation.
For example, a 2 month study of 30 women found that those who drink 1.2 cups (280 ml) of tomato juice daily – containing 32.5 milligrams of lycopene – a significant reduction in the blood level of adipocin was.
What’s more, women experienced a significant increase in blood levels of lycopene and significant reduction in cholesterol and girth perimeter (12).
In another 106 studies, more studies have said that by drinking 1.4 cups (330 ml) of tomato juice daily for 20 days, swelling reduction markers such as Interleukin 8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF -a). Control group (13).
In addition, a 5-week study of 15 people has shown that participants have 0.6 cups (150 ml) of tomato juice per day – equivalent to 15 mg of lycopene – 8-Oxo-2′-serum level of Degarrosinosis Had significantly reduced (8) -oxod
8-Oxydog is a marker of DNA damage caused by free radicals. High levels of this marker have been linked to chronic diseases such as breast cancer and heart disease (15).
In addition to lycopene, tomato juice is also an excellent source of vitamin C and beta-carotene – two other antioxidants with powerful anti-inflammatory properties (16, 17).
Chronic disease can reduce risk
Research has shown that tomato and tomato products such as tomato juice rich foods can reduce the risk of some chronic diseases.
Risk factors of heart disease can improve
Tomatoes have long been associated with heart health.
They contain powerful antioxidants such as lycopene and beta-carotene, which help reduce the risk factors of heart disease such as hypertension, high cholesterol and fat formation in your arteries (atherosclerosis).
A review, including 584 people, found that those who had eaten plenty of tomatoes and tomato products had a very low risk of heart disease compared to those who consumed tomato (18) less.
Benefits and Downsides of Tomato Juice
Another review of 13 studies found that lycopene reduces the level of “bad” LDL cholesterol by about 10% and decreases blood pressure (19) from tomato products consumed in excess of 25 mg per day.
For reference, 1 cup (240 ml) tomato juice provides about 22 mg of lycopene (20).
What’s more, a review of 21 supplemented with tomato products, with a significant reduction in “bad” LDL-cholesterol, inflammatory marker IL-6, and significant improvement in blood flow (21).
Can Protect Against Some Cancer
Due to the high levels of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, tomato juice has been shown to influence the effect of anticancer in many studies.
In the review of 24 studies, significantly reducing the risk of prostate cancer (22), plus consumption of tomato and tomato products is included.
In a test-tube study, lycopene extracts from tomato products prevented the development of prostate cancer cells and even stimulated apoptosis or cell death (23).
Animal studies also believe that tomato products can have a protective effect against skin cancer.
Mice which were fed red tomato powder for 35 weeks, the development of skin cancer was very less after contact with UV light compared to mice on a control diet (24).
Although these results are promising, more research is needed to understand how products such as tomato and tomato juice can affect the development of cancer in humans.
Potential Downsides
Although tomato juice is highly nutritious and can provide effective health benefits, but it has some downside.
Its biggest drawback is that most types are high in sodium. Many tomato juice products add salt – which increases the amount of sodium.
For example, in Campbell’s 100% tomato juice, serving 1.4-cups (340-ml) contains 980 milligrams of sodium – which is 43% of DV (25).
High diet in sodium can be problematic, especially for those who are considered to be sensitive to salt.
Some groups of people, such as African Americans, are likely to be negatively affected by high sodium foods (26).
Also, research suggests that high dietary sodium can contribute to hypertension (27).
Another fall of tomato juice is that it is slightly less in fiber than whole tomatoes. She said, tomato juice is still more in fiber than many other fruit drinks such as apple juice and pulp-free orange juice (2).
It is known that many fruits of tomato are added to other fruits, which can increase the amount of calories and sugars. Some versions may have additional sugars too.
When searching for a healthy variety, choose 100% tomato juice without salt or sugars.
In addition, people with Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) want to avoid tomato juice because it can worsen symptoms (28).
Should you drink tomato juice?
Tomato juice can be a healthy beverage option for many people.
Nutritious tomato juice is an excellent option for the growing needs of nutritious nutrients like older adults and smokers.
For example, people who smoke cigarettes do not need more vitamin C than those people. Since tomato juice is particularly high in this nutrient, so if you smoke (29) it can be a smart choice.
Many older people have limited food and they eat less nutritious foods. Tomato juice can be a convenient and tasty way for many nutrients (30) to help you meet your needs.
The place of unhealthy drinks, such as fruit punch, soda and other sweet drinks with tomato juice, is a healthy way to improve your diet.
Drinking 100% Tomato juice with no salt or sugar increases your nutrient content.
How to Make Your Own Tomato Juice
For those who are creative in the kitchen, homemade tomato juice can be easily prepared with some nutritious ingredients.
Just cook the chopped fresh tomatoes for 30 minutes on medium heat. When cooled, put the tomatoes in a high powered blender or food processor and until the desired stability is found.
You can mix the tomato mixture until it becomes a potable texture or leave it fat to use it as a sauce.
Tomatoes can be combined with other vegetables and herbs, such as celery, red chillies and oven, to promote nutrition and flavor further.
A useful tip is to add a little olive oil while cooking your tomatoes. Because lycopene is a fat-soluble compound, eating or drinking tomato with little fat increases its availability in your body (31).
Bottom-line
Tomato juice is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, B vitamins, and potassium.
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It is also an excellent source of antioxidants like lycopene, which can reduce swelling and heart disease and the risk of some cancers.
Make sure to buy 100% tomato juice without added salt or sugar – or make your own at home.
Source : healthline
