The Benefits of Tomatoes
are almost endless, but it’s the lycopene that is attributed to many of them. Tomato juice has 8 times more antioxidant power than oranges or apples and 7 times more than potatoes or carrots. Just one glass of tomato juice per day improves your skin condition because lycopene removes free radicals from the body.
Tomatoes are available all year round, but the best ones are harvested from May to September. When buying tomatoes it’s important to choose a place that has a steady supply of fresh produce and a high turnover rate because ripe tomatoes taste much better than those that have been on the shelf for days – not only do they lack flavor, but their nutritional value decreases considerably.
Tomatoes can be red, yellow, or orange and their skin is typically smooth and shiny. They keep for about a week in the refrigerator and up to three months in the freezer. When choosing tomatoes look for those that are evenly colored and firm; avoid overripe fruit because it will spoil quickly, but also green tomatoes because they aren’t ripe yet.
If you’re buying tomatoes to eat as a side dish, then pick those that are about the size of a baseball or tennis ball. If you want those for sauce or juice then go for larger tomatoes, but make sure to use them right away because bottled tomato juices lose much of their nutritional value within a few days.
The tomato originated in South America and it’s been cultivated for over 4,000 years. Tomatoes were first introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers and after that, they spread around the world pretty quickly – nowadays tomatoes are used as a key ingredient in multiple cuisines throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Tomatoes are utilized mostly as the main ingredient in a sauce or juice, but they also serve as a vegetable. They’re used to prepare many dishes and snacks, such as Caprese Salad, Bruschetta, tomato soup, fried green tomatoes, gazpacho, BLT sandwich, chili con carne with beans, and beef kofta.
Tomato juice can be a healthy alternative to soda and other sugary drinks if you don’t add any extra sugar or salt. It’s also a great ingredient for cocktails, so why not try Bloody Mary or Vodka Spaghetti?
In addition to being tasty and nutritious, tomatoes are rich in fiber which helps improve intestinal transit. Their high water and fiber content make them a suitable addition to many diets. Tomato juice, for instance, can be consumed by those who are:
Diabetic – because it’s low in sugar and starch; Diarrhea – due to its ability to slow down intestinal absorption of liquids; Underweight – because it provides fewer calories than other juices; Lactating – due to its high vitamin A content.
The tomato is rich in vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, and minerals that are essential for the proper function of the body. They also have a low caloric value so they can be consumed by those who are trying to lose weight or maintain their figure.
Tomato juice is very popular with athletes because of its regenerative properties. When you drink it, you’re ingesting lycopene, but also vitamins A, C, K, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
The high vitamin C content in tomatoes is particularly important since it’s the most commonly deficient nutrient worldwide. It strengthens immunity, prevents diseases like scurvy or even gout.
The carotenoid lycopene is also essential for our bodies because it’s converted into vitamin A when it enters the intestinal tract. In addition to strengthening immunity, other benefits of lycopene include:
Protecting the skin from UV radiation and reducing the risk of skin cancer; Preventing cardiovascular diseases by blocking LDL oxidation, reducing hypertension, and lowering cholesterol levels, and; Preventing and slowing the progression of prostate and colon cancer.
Some studies also suggest that tomatoes can prevent rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, but this claim still needs to be proven by additional research.
Tomatoes, like avocados or olives, are a fruit that contains a significant amount of fat (about 1.5 to 3 grams per 100 grams), so it’s best to eat them in small quantities. They should be consumed with a source of protein or complex carbohydrates such as whole-wheat bread, for instance.
If you want to prepare your own tomato juice at home, simply wash and cut one pound of tomatoes into four pieces each (you don’t need to peel them), and place them in an electric juicer. Drink the juice immediately for maximum nutritional benefits, or store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer for up to three days.
Tomato juice benefits:
Tomato juice is very helpful in the treatment of liver diseases. It also helps to get glowing skin and shiny hair. Let us find out about these benefits of tomato juice in detail.
People often think that tomato sauce or ketchup can provide all the health benefits provided by tomatoes because it contains a large amount of tomato puree. However, this is not true. Tomato juice has many more health benefits than tomato sauce or ketchup, apart from being a great thirst quencher on a hot summer day. Let us find out about the health benefits of tomato juice below:
Helps in getting rid of toxins from your body:
Many people complain about various kinds of allergies and skin problems such as acne and pimples. Tomato juice can help you get rid of these problems because it is a rich source of lycopene, an antioxidant that helps in getting rid of toxins from your body.
Treats varicose veins:
Tomato juice is very helpful in the treatment of varicose veins. It basically eliminates the clogging of veins and thus allows the blood to flow smoothly. The antioxidants present in tomato juice also help you prevent various abnormalities such as atherosclerosis (clogging of arteries) and strokes.
Removes age spots: Tomato juice is full of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and vitamin C that helps in removing those stubborn patches of skin that we call age spots. All you need to do is apply this juice to those spots and let it dry. After some time, you can wash it off with plain water. You will notice a significant change in those age spots within a few weeks’ time.
Treats sunburn:
Tomato juice is very helpful in treating the pain and redness caused by sunburn. All you need to do is apply a mixture of tomato juice and lime juice on your burnt skin for a few minutes and then wash it off with cool water. You will see that the pain, itching, and redness will go away within a few hours’ time.
Treats acne:
Tomato juice can be very helpful in treating acne because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidants present in tomato juice also help you to get rid of the scars left behind by acne.
All you need to do is apply this juice to your affected skin area and leave it for a few minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water and moisturize your skin well after that. You will see that your acne problem has reduced significantly within a few days’ time.
Promotes hair growth:
Tomato juice, when applied to the scalp, can help promote the growth of thick and shiny hair. Moreover, it works very well in removing dandruff from your scalp.
All you need to do is mix one tablespoon each of tomato juice and lemon juice. Apply this mixture on your scalp and wash it off with cool water after 20 minutes. You will see that your dandruff problem has reduced significantly within a few days’ time.
Treats anemia:
Tomato juice is very helpful in the treatment of various kinds of anemias because of its high iron content. All you need to do is drink a glass of tomato juice on a daily basis for some time and see the changes yourself.
benefits of tomato for eyes:
Tomato juice is also very beneficial for your eyes. All you need to do is drink a glass of tomato juice on a daily basis and see the changes yourself. For best results, add some black pepper powder to it before drinking it. You will be able to see the benefits within just two weeks’ time by doing this regularly. Tomato juice is also very beneficial for your eyes.
All you need to do is drink a glass of tomato juice on a daily basis and see the changes yourself. For best results, add some black pepper powder to it before drinking it. You will be able to see the benefits within just two weeks’ time by doing this regularly.
Help lose weight:
Tomato juice, being low in calories, is very helpful for weight loss. All you need to do is have about four glasses of tomato juice on a daily basis while following a healthy diet plan and doing regular exercise. You will definitely see positive changes within just one month’s time by doing this regularly.
Kills intestinal worms:
Tomato juice has been shown to have very strong anthelmintic properties. This is mainly because of its high concentration of vitamin C and phytochemicals such as lycopene, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin which help in eliminating intestinal worms from the body.
Prevents cancer: Tomato juice has been shown to have anti-carcinogenic properties. The antioxidants present in tomatoes obstruct the formation of free radicals that are responsible for various types of cancers like skin cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, etc.
Promotes better sleep:
Tomato juice is very helpful in promoting sound sleep because it contains the amino acid tryptophan. This amino acid helps in the synthesis of serotonin in the body which triggers calmness and tranquilization. It also helps in the production of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone.