Tomato Juice: Benefits and Contraindications Tomatoes, known by their botanical name lycopersicon esculentum, are fruits (yes, not vegetables), and can even be classified as berries if you’re specific.
Tomatoes can range in color and size from bright yellow, orange and red, and measure as little as half an inch in diameter, ranging up to 4 inches and more.
Although they are classified as fruits, they do not possess the characteristic “fruity” sweetness that we have grown accustomed to, but do possess a very mild sweetness that contrasts with their tart, tart flavor. Let’s see, below, in more detail what is related to tomato juice: benefits and contraindications.
.
Tomato juice: benefits and contraindications
Benefits of natural tomato juice
Tomato juice preserves heart health Regular consumption of tomatoes it has numerous beneficial effects on the heart, due in large part to the presence of beta-carotene and the rare antioxidant lycopene. Studies have revealed that diets containing the lowest amounts of these two nutrients are associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
They help reduce the impact of oxidative damage on the heart, prevent the formation of blood clots dangerous and also has a cholesterol-lowering effect. Maybe it’s time for you to listen to your mom and eat your tomatoes, right?
Tomato juice consumption reduces the risk of cancer There is a growing body of evidence to support the fact that increased tomato consumption is associated with a reduced risk of cancer, especially of the prostate, colon, and breast. These effects are largely attributed to the presence of lycopene, although other nutrients definitely play a secondary role. As more studies are done, it is certain that the popularity and consumption of tomatoes will skyrocket even higher.
Helps control the symptoms of an enlarged prostate There is a special role for tomatoes when it comes to male prostate health, as the compound lycopene is capable of acting slightly like some medications used to control enlarged prostate. prostate. Under the influence of the androgen DHT, the cells of the prostate can respond and rapidly increase in size or number. While this growth is mostly harmless, it can lead to extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing situations as the normal flow of urine becomes problematic.
Tomatoes are capable of blocking the production of part of this hormone, which decreases the action it can have on the prostate. Also, due to the fact that lycopene and tomatoes themselves are excellent sources antioxidantsyou can prevent this usually benign growth from turning into a cancer and becoming cancerous.
You may be interested in knowing the health benefits of tomato seeds
Tomato juice is good for your skin By volume, tomatoes contain about 95% water, making them very useful for maintaining the health of your skin. But that’s not all they do for you, as lycopene has a property that reflects UV rays, reducing the chance of damage as a result of sun exposure. The results have observed a reduction of more than 40% in the development of sunburn in people who eat large amounts of tomatoes, compared with those who do not eat large amounts of tomatoes.
Tomato juice improves bone health When thinking about bones and preservation, tomatoes aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. And while we’re not looking for its calcium or magnesium levels, its lycopene levels are extremely beneficial in preventing oxidative damage to bone. Many people don’t think of bone as living tissue, but as long as you’re alive, so is bone. The importance of lycopene was confirmed in postmenopausal women, who experienced accelerated bone loss when tomato consumption was discontinued.
Reduce the risk of experiencing thromboembolic events Thromboembolic events refer to conditions related to abnormal coagulation of platelets and blood cells, such as that which occurs during a stroke or heart attack. Normally, these events occur after changes in the blood and vessels slowly over time, often along with abnormal clotting. Tomatoes contain compounds that inhibit excessive coagulation processes, and as a result may decrease the risk of these debilitating events.
.
Homemade tomato juice recipe
Ingredients
3 pounds tomatoes (fresh or canned)
1 small onion chopped (optional)
2 celery stalks, chopped (optional)
For a salty flavor to your juice, add a small chopped onion and two chopped celery stalks to the cooking tomatoes.
Instructions
Wash all tomatoes (if fresh) thoroughly and remove any vines or stems.
If you prefer to work with peeled tomatoes, blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for a minute or two until the skin splits, allow to cool, and remove the skin.
Core the tomatoes and cut them roughly, into quarters or smaller pieces.
Place a large pot (that is stainless steel and not aluminum) over medium heat on your stove. If you want to add flavor to your finished tomato juice, pour a little olive oil into the pot and sauté the chopped onion and celery stalks until softened, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot. Lower the heat and simmer the tomatoes for 25 to 40 minutes, depending on the final consistency you want. A longer cooking time will produce a slightly thicker juice.
Remove the cooked tomato mixture from the heat and let it cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
Pass the tomato mixture through a sieve or food mill to remove all tomato, onion and celery solids.
Chill the finished tomato juice for at least several hours before serving.
Store any extra juice for up to several days in the refrigerator.
.
Contraindications and side effects
Can cause acid reflux or heartburn Regular and moderate consumption of tomatoes has been found to be very beneficial for our stomach and helps keep our digestive system healthy. This benefit is mainly due to the presence of dietary fibers in them. They act like a natural laxativeimprove bowel movement and ensure the smooth removal of waste from our system.
By doing so, they not only provide relief from constipation, but also reduce the risk of other digestive disorders such as abdominal pain, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, gases, etc. Although tomatoes are good for our stomach, still, it is better to eat and enjoy them in moderation.
This is because they are acidic in nature (due to the presence of malic acid and citric acids) and consuming them in an excessive amount can unbalance the acid level of our stomach, giving rise to problems such as heartburn and acid reflux.
At the normal level, the acid present in the stomach is never a problem (in fact it is a MUST, as it facilitates digestion by breaking down food molecules), but when the acid level increases (such as when eating acidic foods), the acid begins to flow into the esophagus and lead to heartburn.
According to a study conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, eating tomatoes can worsen GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms and should be avoided by GERD patients.
Some common GERD symptoms are chronic chest pain, dry cough, recurrent vomiting, heartburn, nausea, bitter taste, sore throat, abdominal discomfort, etc.
May cause allergic reactions Tomatoes are a great source of many nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, flavonoids, dietary fibers, etc. and provide numerous health and beauty benefits. However, these benefits cannot be enjoyed by people who are allergic to tomatoes.
According to a Polish study, the main culprit responsible for tomato allergy is «histamine», a compound present in tomatoes. A tomato allergy can be triggered by eating it and even by coming into contact with the skin.
discover recipes tomato face masks for acne, oily skin and more
Consumption of tomatoes can lead to allergic reactions like hives, skin rashes, eczema, coughing, sneezing, itchy throat, swollen face, swollen tongue, etc. (in people who are allergic to tomatoes). Apart from this, it can also form a red patch around the eyebrows and eyelids.
May cause kidney problems Regular and moderate consumption of tomatoes has been found to be very beneficial in removing toxins and other impurities from our system.
This detoxing benefit of tomatoes is primarily due to the abundance of water (which flushes out toxins) and dietary fiber (which improves bowel movement).
By removing toxins from our system, tomatoes also reduce the load on our kidneys and help keep them healthy. However, excessive consumption of tomatoes is bad for our kidneys. This is because consuming too many tomatoes can increase the level of potassium in our body.
According to a report published by the US Department of Health and Human Services, high potassium in the blood can increase the risk of kidney problems and even worsen the symptoms of advanced chronic kidney disease. In addition to this, tomatoes are also high in oxalates, and a higher level can lead to kidney stones.
May cause Lycopenodermia Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, an important antioxidant that provides a number of benefits for our health. Some of the main benefits that lycopene provides are: reducing the risk of cancer, protecting against oxidative damage caused by free radicals, and helping to keep our eyes healthy. improves cognitive health, improves cardiovascular health, strengthens our bones, etc. However, an excessive level of lycopene in our blood is also bad.
It has been found that eating too many tomatoes can increase the level of lycopene in our body to a very high level, and this can lead to lycopenoderma.
Lycopenodermia is a condition that causes a deep orange coloration on our skin. Although this is not a health threat, it can definitely make your skin unattractive.
The situation can be easily prevented by reducing the level of lycopene in our blood, and for this, it is advisable to eat tomatoes in moderation.
Can cause urinary problems Tomatoes are a good source of water and about 94 percent of a tomato’s weight is water….