Tomato juice: The secret weapon for better health and vitality
This is among the healthiest juices you can drink. A modest serving of this red beverage contains a wealth of nutrients that boost health. It's worth incorporating into your diet and enjoying, not just on special occasions.
Tomato juice is an excellent way to diversify a daily diet while enriching it with numerous nutrients. It's worth adding to your New Year's resolutions list and replacing fizzy drinks and sweet nectars with it. Regular consumption of tomato juice can bring many health benefits.
Healthy tomato juice
Regular consumption of tomato juice can reduce the risk of cancer and protect against heart disease. This is due to ingredients such as vitamins A, C, K, and lycopene, which act as powerful antioxidants. Moreover, tomato juice can lower blood pressure and support the digestive system, making it ideal for health-conscious individuals.
Regularly drinking tomato juice can help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and blood pressure, positively impacting cardiovascular health. Vitamin C in tomato juice supports the immune system, protecting the body against infections. The fibre content in tomato juice aids the digestive system and prevents constipation.
Valuable lycopene
Lycopene, which gives tomatoes their distinctive red colour, is one of the most potent antioxidants in nature. It protects cells from damage caused by free radicals, reducing the risk of developing many diseases, including cancer and heart disease, and delaying ageing.
Lycopene can help prevent macular degeneration, one of the main causes of vision loss in older individuals. Since it is fat-soluble, it's worth adding olive oil to the juice or consuming it with a meal containing fats.
How to choose tomato juice?
Although homemade juice is best, making it out of season doesn't make much sense—it will be less tasty and lack aroma. In such cases, it's worth choosing shop-bought options. Contrary to appearances, finding juices with a good composition won't be a major challenge.
Choose juices that are 100 per cent tomato. Avoid those with high salt content. You can also select juices with added spices like chilli, pepper, or basil.
Drink tomato juice wisely
Tomato juice is not for everyone. People suffering from acid reflux should limit their consumption of tomato juice—the citric acid it contains can worsen symptoms associated with it. Tomato juice also contains oxalates, which can increase the risk of kidney stones in some people. Not everyone faces the same risk. Individuals with existing kidney stones or a family history should be particularly cautious.
