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Tomato juice is loved by many for its taste, freshness and ability to invigorate. Another fact adds to its attractiveness: unlike fruit juices, the budget options of which manufacturers usually “enrich” with sweeteners, preservatives and other additives, tomato juice, as a rule, is not flavored with anything other than a small amount of table salt. By drinking this drink, you can be sure that with each sip, a solid portion of useless, or even obviously harmful substances, does not enter the body. Tomato juice largely retains the quality of the original raw materials (fresh tomatoes or tomato paste). Today's article is devoted to its beneficial properties.
1. Low calorie
The calorie content of tomato juice is less than that of most vegetable and all fruit juices (meaning those that are squeezed from fresh fruits and do not contain sweeteners). There are about 100 kcal in 20 g of the product. It is not surprising that it becomes one of the components of a wide variety of diets. True, it should be remembered that salted tomato juice can stimulate appetite. People who want to lose weight should prepare this drink on their own, especially since squeezing juice from ripe tomatoes is easy even without a juicer.
Tomato juice lowers blood sugar levels. It is officially included in the diet of those who suffer from diabetes and obesity.
2. Saturation with vitamins
Tomato juice is rich in B vitamins, beta-carotene (provitamin A), vitamins C, PP and E. In addition, it contains compounds of iron, copper, manganese, calcium, potassium, fluorine, chromium, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, molybdenum, nickel, chlorine and boron. Such a set of mineral and biologically active substances is unique, all of them are necessary for the body. Regular consumption of tomato juice can prevent the development of a number of metabolic disorders, including beriberi.
3. Ability to lower cholesterol levels
Squeezing only liquid, without pulp, from fresh ripe tomatoes is usually very difficult. Therefore, tomato juice contains a large amount of fiber, which plays an important role in digestion. Vegetable fibers help the body get rid of "bad" cholesterol, which clogs blood vessels and creates the prerequisites for the development of heart disease.
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4. Help with problems with the heart and blood vessels
In addition to the fact that tomato juice has a pronounced anti-sclerotic effect, it is rich in vitamin B6, which plays an important role in strengthening the walls of blood vessels.
Tomato juice reduces the risk of thrombosis. It is recommended to drink it for varicose veins, hypertension and angina pectoris, as well as after myocardial infarction.
5. Beneficial effect on the intestines
Tomato juice is indispensable in the nutrition of patients suffering from constipation. In addition to fiber, which contributes to the functioning of the intestines, the juice contains substances that increase the tone of the intestinal wall, has choleretic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is recommended for diseases of the duodenum and low acidity of gastric juice.
6. Eliminate toxins from the body
Tomato juice is rich in sulfur and chlorine compounds, which have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the liver and kidneys, so it is recommended to include it in the diet of patients suffering from intoxication of the body (alcohol, drugs, etc).
The product has a mild diuretic effect, and when mixed with cabbage juice (in a ratio of 1:1) it helps those suffering from cholelithiasis.
7. Prevention of cancer and early aging
Tomato juice contains a record amount of lycopene, which is one of the most powerful antioxidants. This substance actively fights free radicals, slowing down the aging process, improving the functioning of the body's defense system and reducing the risk of developing tumors. It has been proven that regular consumption of tomato juice reduces the risk of developing malignant neoplasms of the cervix, stomach, colon, lungs, prostate and pancreas. Lycopene is preserved during heat treatment. That is why tomato juice is considered no less useful than fresh tomatoes: lycopene and other substances important for health are contained in it in a greater concentration. By the way, many manufacturers prefer to make a drink not from raw tomatoes, but from pasta. It is well stored, and the product made from it in terms of taste and nutritional properties is almost in no way inferior to freshly squeezed juice.
Almost everyone can drink tomato juice. It is contraindicated only in case of individual intolerance, increased acidity of gastric juice, exacerbations of peptic ulcer, cholecystitis and pancreatitis. A nursing mother should not drink a drink if her baby suffers from diarrhea.
In order for tomato juice to bring maximum benefit, it should be drunk separately from meals (preferably 30 minutes before the main meal). Combinations of a drink with olives, cheese, herbs, garlic, nuts, as well as dishes from cabbage, radish, eggplant, zucchini or sweet pepper are considered optimal for the body.
Source: neboleem.net
