Let us reassure you right away: tomatoes are not a miraculous cure that will eliminate the consequences of excessive drinking, but with the help of tomatoes, we can at least partially protect ourselves from the damage that alcohol causes in the body.

Alcohol can also be an enemy

According to the World Health Organization data from 2023, the average European over 15 years old drank as much as 11.1 liters of pure alcohol per year. Translated into everyday life practices, this means approximately 2 deciliters of wine per day for everyone, even those who do not drink at all!

When alcohol enters the body, the liver, which acts as an internal cleaning service, must first process it. While breaking down alcohol, free radicals are formed, which are small chemical particles that trigger oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress is a condition when there are too many aggressive molecules in the body that destroy cells. Similar to rust that destroys iron.

The consequence? Damage to liver cells, which can eventually lead to inflammation, fatty liver, cirrhosis, and even cancer. The liver remembers a lot but forgives little.

Tomato Powder: an old solution in a new form

In a study conducted by biochemistry scientists (source: Journal of Functional Foods, 2021), rats were exposed to a daily dose of alcohol equivalent to 100 grams of ethanol per day - which is equivalent to 7 to 8 glasses of wine, resulting in significant intoxication for humans.

In the experiment, the rats were divided into three groups. One group received tomato powder, the other received a fat-soluble tomato extract, and the third group received pure lycopene, the red pigment from tomatoes that acts as an antioxidant (a substance that reduces damage from free radicals).

The result was surprising: in the group that received tomato powder, 90% of the rats had less liver damage compared to the other groups. In practice, this means that the whole plant (in powder form) works better than its individual parts.

Brain: a silent victim of every glass

You may have thought that alcohol primarily harms the liver, but the consequences are quickly evident in the brain as well. A recent study (published in Nutrition & Neuroscience, 2022) showed that just 30 grams of alcohol, equivalent to two standard drinks (about two deciliters of wine), can cause damage to the genetic material (DNA) in brain cells in just 15 minutes.

Yes, you read that right: damage begins in the brain after just one glass of wine. But here the story turns... If researchers exposed brain cells to lycopene three hours before drinking alcohol, this damage was reduced. This means that lycopene acts as a shield that can at least partially protect the brain from the destructive effects of alcohol.

What is the best way to consume tomatoes then?

Traditional medicine has always valued the whole fruit: raw, cooked, and dried tomatoes. Homemade tomato sauce, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, tomato juice: all of these are not only delicious but also healing. However, as research shows, tomato powder (dried and ground tomatoes without added sugar or salt) is one of the most effective ways for the body to get the best out of tomatoes.

In 100 grams of dried tomatoes, we find as much as 46 mg of lycopene, whereas fresh tomatoes typically have only 3 mg of lycopene per 100 g. So, if you prepare homemade tomato sauce from larger quantities of tomatoes, the effect will be much stronger than eating one fresh tomato in a salad.

What does science say?

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), consuming foods rich in lycopene is associated with a lower risk of liver and prostate cancer, as well as reducing systemic inflammation, which is often associated with cardiovascular diseases.

In one of the extensive studies that included over 40,000 men, Harvard researchers found that those who regularly consumed tomato products had a 35% lower risk of developing prostate cancer. And even though this data is not directly related to the liver or brain, it shows that tomatoes have a holistic effect on the body.

Folk wisdom: if you have looked too deeply into the glass...

In ancient times, people intuitively knew that tomatoes were something special. Grandmothers liked to cook homemade tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil, and basil, which cleansed the body and soothed the stomach after excess food and drink. They also knew that tomatoes strengthen the heart and clear the mind. When we look at the results of modern research today, it seems that this is more than just superstition.

How can we apply this knowledge in everyday life?

If you know that you have an evening with a little more wine or beer ahead, have a bowl of tomato soup, homemade tomato juice, or a spoonful of dried tomato powder mixed in a smoothie a few hours earlier. It won't prevent all consequences, but it will help your liver and brain cope with stress more easily.

Even if you don't drink alcohol at all, tomatoes are still incredibly beneficial food. Include them in your daily diet not for aesthetics but for long-term health.

Conclusion

The liver and brain are the two most burdened organs of modern times. The liver, because it cleanses everything we put into it. The brain, because it has to withstand everything we think, feel, and solve every day. If there is a simple and tasty way to protect them, why not take advantage of it?

Tomatoes are a true popular treasure, once overlooked but now scientifically confirmed as an ally of our health. Let's not forget: prevention is always better than cure. And sometimes it starts with just one spoonful of tomato sauce.