12 USES AND BENEFITS OF TOMATO JUICE
Tomato is considered both a fruit and a vegetable and is an essential part of cuisines all across the globe, particularly in the Mediterranean region. Daily consumption of tomatoes gives a great boost to health and also improves the flavor of the food. They are present in countless foods like pastas, pizzas, ketchups etc. They are easy to cultivate and grow very rapidly, which is one of the reasons of tomato being a staple food for many nations. Tomatoes are cultivated in numerous colors, while the most common variant is the red one; other colors include yellow, green, orange, black, brown, pink, white, brown, and purple.
The scientific name for tomato is Solanum lycopersicum and is believed to be native to Mexico. It is an annual nightshade plant, and grows in groups of small to moderately sized, round red fruits. They have delicate, pinkish red pulp and various seeds, and a marginally sweet to taste.
What nutrients does tomato contain?
One medium tomato (roughly 123 grams) gives 23 calories, 0 grams of fat, 3.6 grams of carbohydrates and .9 gram of protein, approx. 55 mg of calcium, 25mg of phosphorus and what’s more? Tomatoes even contain lycopene which has antioxidant protection properties for your body. Other nutrients of tomato are;
- Biotin
- Molybdenum
- Vitamin K
- Potassium
- Copper
- Manganese
- Fiber
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Phosphorus
- Vitamin E
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Zinc
- Choline
- Panthothenic acid
- Alpha-lipoic acid
- Folic acid
- Beta-carotene
- Lutein and zeaxanthin
- Vitamin C
- Thiamin
- Ribloflavin
- Niacin
- Calcium
- Dietary Fibre
- Carbohydrates
Tomatoes provide you with unique healthy benefits and here are some of the reasons for why they should be included in your everyday diet to make the most of their benefits for your health.
- Keeps you Healthy
- Good for Eye Health
- Improves Digestive Tract
- Prevents Gallstones
- Keeps your Heart Healthy
- Provides Essential Antioxidants
- Enhances Skin Health
- Essential During Pregnancy
- Improves Immunity
- Good for Hair
- Helps Maintain Strong Bones
- Helps Prevent Urinary Tract Infection
- Keeps you Healthy
- Good for Eye Health
- Improves Digestive Tract
- Prevents Gallstones
- Keeps your Heart Healthy
- Provides Essential Antioxidants
- Enhances Skin Health
- Essential During Pregnancy
- Improves Immunity
- Good for Hair
- Helps Maintain Strong Bones
- Helps Prevent Urinary Tract Infection
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Since we all are aware of the fact that tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants, so taking them in a processed form like juice, paste and sauce helps us in combating the free radicals that are known to cause several diseases. By doing so the natural compounds in tomatoes are easily absorbed by the body. Also, processed forms of tomatoes have higher concentrations of lycopene. Lycopane is a natural antioxidant that works effectively in order to reduce the over growth of cells. Among younger men, diets rich in beta-carotene may play a defensive role against various heart problems.
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The Vitamin A present in the tomato juice is an excellent property that is good for eye health. Also, tomato is one of the best fruit to eat in order to prevent yourself from eye diseases. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that can be formed from an excess of beta-carotene in the body. Tomato juice contains a valuable and effective mineral known as chromium which it helps in keeping the blood sugar level in control and protecting the eyes against any damage.
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Tomato juice keeps the stomach related framework sound by preventing both constipation and looseness of the bowels. It additionally, viably expels toxins from the body. Besides, it contains fiber in abundance, which helps to stimulate peristaltic movement in the smooth digestive muscles, and furthermore discharge gastric and stomach related juices. This can regulate your bowel movements; accordingly enhancing your general digestive well-being and help you stay away from problems like glass, flatulence, pain the stomach, constipation etc. Tomato juice not only helps in improving the health of your digestive system and prevents constipation but it also helps in improving the liver. So, if you have over eaten or eaten something spicy, bite into a small ripe tomato or drink fresh tomato juice at the end of your meal.
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The antioxidant properties of tomatoes can also be derived from tomato juices, processed foods, including tomatoes found in ketchup and purees. Regular consumption of tomatoes satisfies the day by day prerequisite of vitamins and minerals and applies a general protective effect on the body.
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Tomato juice contains Vitamin B and potassium which help in reducing cholesterol from the body and lowering the blood pressure. Therefore, regularly consuming tomato juice can be effective for heart health.
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Tomato juice contains a lot of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. This is primarily that these vitamins and beta-carotene function as antioxidants to neutralize harmful free radicals in the blood. Free radicals in the circulatory system are unsafe in light of the fact that it might prompt cell damage. Keep in mind, the redder the tomato you eat is, the more beta-carotene it contains. You should also keep in mind that cooking destroys Vitamin C, so in order to get the maximum health benefits from tomatoes, you should eat them raw.
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The synthesis of collagen, a basic segment of the skin, hair, nails and connective tissue, is dependent on vitamin C which is present in abundance in tomatoes. An insufficiency of vitamin C prompts scurvy. As vitamin C is an essential antioxidant, a low intake is related with increased harm from sunlight, pollution and smoke, prompting wrinkles, drooping skin, blemishes and other antagonistic health impacts. Tomatoes also improve the skin’s ability to absorb oxygen, thereby reducing the signs of aging. The lycopene in tomatoes can act as a sunscreen. This is another reason tomatoes are added to certain body massage oils to remove stress on the skin. Also, if you leave the tomato on your skin for minimum 10 minutes, it will make your skin look fresh, brighter and glowing.
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Taking tomato juice during pregnancy helps to reduce body weakness and increase energy level. . Pregnancy is a phase which requires extra iron everyday and consuming tomato juice everyday prevents anemia during pregnancy.
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Fresh tomato juice is excellent when it comes to boosting your immunity. The Vitamin C in it regulates the increase of stress hormones which helps your body to remain fit, energized and healthy.
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Trust it or not, but the presence of iron and vitamins in tomato juice can actually add shine to your otherwise rough, dry and dull hair. Other hair issues, for example, dandruff, itchy scalp and lifeless hair can be controlled effortlessly by applying fresh tomato squeeze specifically to the scalp and keeping it on the scalp for about 2 to 3 minutes, and after that wash it off. You will see an amazing difference.
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The presence of Vitamin K and calcium in tomato juice is essential for the strengthening and performing minor repair on the bones. It is also helpful in improving the bone tissues. Also, the antioxidants present in tomatoes may help keep bones healthy.
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Tomato juice prevents urinary tract infection. This happens due to the abundant water content present in the tomatoes which stimulates urination, so they are diuretic in certain ways. This helps in the elimination of toxins from the body as well as the excess water, uric acid, salts, and some fat as well.
What more can you do with tomatoes?
Tomato is a versatile fruit and can be consumed in a number of ways. Some of them are:
- Soup
- Chutney
- As a paste in curries & gravies
- Sauce
- In salads
- Tomato Puree
- Juice
- Ketchup
How to incorporate tomatoes in your daily diet :
You should always use fresh tomatoes and keep them at room temperature. Do not refrigerate tomatoes as they lose their flavor due to refrigeration.
- Dip grape or cherry tomatoes in hummus or plain yogurt and have as a side or a snack
- Add chopped tomato to your sandwiches and wraps
- Include diced canned tomatoes (low sodium) to homemade sauces when making pasta
- Utilize canned diced or stewed tomatoes in soups
- Put avocado and tomato on a slice of bread and relish the taste
- Prepare a snappy salsa with diced tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro and newly crushed lime
- Dice crisp tomatoes and add them to rice and beans, quesadillas or tacos. Add them to your omelets or scrambles for breakfast
- Sprinkle crisply cut tomatoes and cut mozzarella with balsamic vinegar and put basil on the top
- Make a brisk bruschetta for an appetize
How to make tomato juice at home :
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Serves: 1 (makes about 1 glass)
Note: A few tomatoes are sweeter than others, depending on their ripeness and the assortment of tomato. Utilize the ripest tomatoes you can for making the juice at home. Included sugar will balance the natural acidity of the tomatoes, utilize more or less to taste. Tabasco hot sauce can also be included for the taste, depending on the level of spiciness you want!
- 3 medium sized fresh ripe tomatoes (cored & roughly sliced)
- 1 1/4 cups chopped celery with leaves
- 2 tbsp. sugar (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pinch black pepper.
- Tabasco sauce, about 6-8 drops (to taste)
- Put tomato slices in a blender and blend till a smooth puree is formed.
- Add celery sticks and some water and blend again for 5-10 seconds
- Now, take a bowl and put a muslin cloth or sieve over it and run the blended mix through it
- Press the juice in the cloth with back of a spoon to get the maximum flavor and juice out
- Now pour the collected residue in a glass
- Add sugar and black salt and stir
- If you like a hit of spice in your juice you can add few drops of Tabasco sauce to it for a well-balanced sweet, salty and spicy taste
- Top with ice and drink fresh
Fresh tomato juice, flavored with some pink salt, is a refreshing way to begin the day. But avoid having it on an empty stomach. You can also drink Dabur Real Fruit Power Tomato. Its packed in a 6 layered Tetrapak which helps preserve the beverage without any preservatives, keeps nutrition and freshness intact too!
- Tomatoes ought to be washed before eating.
- People with kidney stones and other conditions should steer clear from tomatoes. Consuming excessively potassium can be destructive for those whose kidneys are not fully functional. If at all your kidneys can't expel abundance potassium from the blood, it could be lethal.
- Those with gastro-esophageal reflux illness (GERD) may encounter an increase in symptoms, for example, indigestion and heart burn while consuming exceptionally acidic foods, for example, tomatoes, however individual reactions may differ.
You can also check out the various mocktail recipes or fruit recipes you can make with Real Fruit Power.
Find out the various benefits of these healthy fruit juices:
Pomegranate Juice
Amla Juice
Pineapple Juice
Cranberry Juice
Apple Juice
