Among the variety of plant-based foods, many people especially love the tomato—a beautiful, round, smooth, bright red vegetable. It was first cultivated on the coast of South America over two thousand years ago. It arrived in Russia in the 18th century. Today, it's very popular, used to make pasta, juice, sauce, ketchup, and is an ingredient in salads, first and second courses, and baked goods. Chemically, tomatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and organic substances. Drinking tomato juice can be both beneficial and harmful to your health.
Content of substances
Tomato juice contains vitamins (A, C, E, B), trace elements (iron, selenium, copper), macronutrients (potassium, magnesium, calcium), organic acids, fructose, glucose, lycopene, fiber, and pectin. It also contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and water (94 g per 100 g of product). It is low in calories.
Beneficial properties
Juice is made from fresh vegetables. Heat treatment does not reduce its value. The chemicals and compounds it contains provide many health benefits:
- Strengthening the immune system and preventing vitamin deficiency. Vitamin C is responsible for this;
- destruction of free radicals, stimulation of cellular processes, slowing down aging (vitamin E);
- Eliminates waste products, salts, and toxins due to its high lycopene content. It has an antioxidant effect and strengthens the body's resistance to malignant cell proliferation;
- normalization of the nervous system and emotional background through B vitamins;
- prevention of eye diseases, improvement of skin condition (vitamin A);
- Improved gastrointestinal function. Choleretic substances enhance intestinal peristalsis and stomach function, while fiber prevents food from stagnating and removes waste products;
- Increased metabolism. Microelements speed up metabolism;
- Weight loss due to its low calorie content. The juice contains 16-20 kcal per 100 g. Nutritionists prescribe it for weight loss;
- removal of cholesterol, strengthening of blood vessel walls under the influence of pectin;
You may be interested in:- reduction of blood sugar levels;
- Restores water and salt balance. It quenches thirst well in hot weather;
- reduction of salt deposits;
- increased joint mobility;
- bringing high blood pressure back to normal;
- Normalizes the acid-base balance of facial skin. In cosmetology, it is used as a mask for oily skin. It tightens enlarged pores and evens out the top layer of the epidermis;
- Stabilizes heart and vascular function. Potassium, magnesium, and calcium prevent heart attacks and strokes.
The juice promotes the production of the joy hormone serotonin and prevents depression. It pairs well with celery, parsley, and spinach; a spoonful of olive oil adds a piquant and healthy flavor. Thus, tomato juice can act as a choleretic, diuretic, vascular strengthener, anti-inflammatory, and cosmetic agent. It can also increase hemoglobin levels because it is a source of iron.
You may be interested in:Harm
Misjudging your health and ignoring the effects of tomato juice on the body can cause harm. Consuming tomato juice is contraindicated in the following cases:
- stomach ulcers, high acidity;
- exacerbation of diseases of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder;
- allergic reactions;
- gout;
- low blood pressure;
- inflammatory diseases and kidney stones;
- under 3 years of age;
- salt deposits in the joints.
Tomato juice is a nutritious, delicious product rich in beneficial components. The best juice comes from fruit ripened naturally in the sun. Adding salt will reduce the absorption of nutrients. When purchasing, pay attention to the product's ingredients. Adding preservatives reduces the beneficial properties and is not recommended for medicinal purposes. Moderate consumption, no more than two glasses of juice per day, will bring positive emotions, a sense of well-being, and increased productivity.