- about 80 calories, which means you can indulge in it without feeling guilty, even if you are trying to lose weight,
- more than 400 mg of potassium, which is almost 10% of the recommended daily intake,
- approximately 15 mg of vitamin C, one-third of what you need daily,
- plus calcium, magnesium, vitamins B, E, and A.
Major Asset: Lycopene
What gives tomatoes their red color and is also their strongest secret is lycopene. It is a powerful antioxidant, meaning that it acts as a natural cleanser in the body, helping to destroy harmful substances. A study published in the prestigious medical journal Nutrition Journal showed that people who regularly drink tomato juice can reduce their levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) by up to 13% in a few weeks. At the same time, the level of good cholesterol (HDL) increases, which helps prevent fats from clogging the blood vessels.
Interestingly, lycopene in tomatoes is released even more effectively when they are heat-treated. But beware, this is especially true for light cooking at home, not for industrial processing, where most of the vitamins are also lost. So, if you prepare fresh tomato juice at home, you have found the right formula.
Guardian of the Heart and Blood Vessels
Cholesterol is often associated with the heart, and rightfully so. When it begins to accumulate in the veins, it can cause blockages, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
Tomato juice, however, has multiple roles: it cleanses the blood vessels, helps lower blood pressure, and promotes the formation of red blood cells, meaning that blood can supply organs with oxygen faster. In a study conducted by Tokyo Medical and Dental University, people who drank 200 ml of fresh tomato juice daily for three weeks significantly improved their blood pressure and reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
And something more: tomatoes contain vitamin K, which is extremely important for healthy blood clotting and preventing thrombosis. This is a condition where dangerous clots begin to form in the blood vessels.
Assistance for the Liver, Pancreas, and Gallbladder
In addition to caring for the heart, tomatoes also cooperate well with our internal filters, such as the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. These three organs are responsible for breaking down, processing, and storing the food we eat, removing what is not needed. And if they are overloaded, for example, due to sugar, alcohol, or processed foods, it leads to fatigue, bloating, and feeling unwell.
In traditional medicine, tomato juice was often considered a morning remedy - especially after holidays or after a heavy evening. It used to be believed that if you drink a glass of fresh tomato juice on an empty stomach in the morning, you will cleanse your body effectively.
Interestingly, science confirms this. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people who regularly consume lycopene reduce the likelihood of liver fattening and improve the function of the pancreas, which is particularly important for people with early signs of insulin resistance. This means that the body has difficulty processing sugars.
Tomatoes and Weight Loss? A Great Pair!
If you want to lose a few pounds, tomato juice is your ally. In addition to having very few calories (as mentioned - less than 80 kcal in 350 ml), it also contains fiber, which gives a feeling of satiety. After consuming such juice, you will have less desire for sweets and snacks.
In a Japanese study from 2021, where participants drank 280 ml of tomato juice per day, after 8 weeks, they had lower blood fat values and an average weight loss of 1.5 kilograms, without changes in diet or exercise.
Something for Party Lovers...
Have you ever experienced that famous hangover feeling in the morning after a party? Headache, nausea, dry mouth, irritability... Grandmothers had a solution: a glass of tomato juice right after waking up. Tomatoes contain glutamic acid (a natural amino acid) that accelerates alcohol metabolism and replenishes lost electrolytes. Additionally, the potassium, sodium, and magnesium content helps restore balance in the body.
In a study at National Taiwan University, it was proven that fresh tomato juice helps eliminate alcohol from the body almost 50% faster than drinking only water.
How to Prepare the Healthiest Tomato Juice?
For optimal effects, prepare the juice at home. Use ripe homegrown tomatoes, briefly boil them, mash them, add a pinch of salt (if at all), a little lemon juice or chili for taste, then drink it warm or chilled.
For additional healing power, you can also add to it:
- cinnamon, which helps regulate blood sugar,
- turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory properties,
- or ginger, which aids digestion and warms the body.
Tomato juice is one of those natural solutions that most of us have at our fingertips, but we are not aware of them enough. It is not a medicine in the classical sense, but it is an extremely powerful natural supplement that can improve well-being, health, and even physique. If you regularly include it in your diet, say a glass every other day, you will quickly notice differences: more energy, easier digestion, less bloating, better sleep, and even improved concentration. And the best part: all this without side effects.
If you are looking for something natural, effective, and affordable, tomato juice is the right choice.
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