Drinking tomato juice can deliver a variety of health benefits. Research has shown that a daily glass can help protect us from cancer and heart disease. A key ingredient and antioxidant in tomatoes called lycopene is considered to play a major role in these protective benefits. Lycopene is also the plant pigment that puts the wonderful rich red coloring into tomatoes.
Tomato Juice Benefits Cholesterol
A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition provided evidence that drinking a daily tomato juice can help improve our cholesterol profiles. 21 healthy volunteers were given a diet consisting of a daily 13.5 oz tomato juice and a 1 oz serving of tomato ketchup. After just a few weeks researchers found a significant change in the volunteers cholesterol levels. Overall cholesterol levels dropped by 5.9%, while LDL “bad” cholesterol levels dropped by an amazing 12.9%. Pretty impressive for a glass of tomato juice and little bit of ketchup!
In addition to this researchers noted a 13% decrease in the oxidation of LDL cholesterol found circulating in the blood of the volunteers. Oxidation of LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis. This decrease of oxidation is attributed to the increase in blood levels of lycopene and other carotenoids found in the volunteers. As powerful antioxidants carotenoids can help protect cholesterol from harmful oxygen molecules that are responsible for the process of oxidation.
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits of Tomato Juice
The inflammation cause by oxidation is linked to most degenerative diseases like atherosclerosis, cancer, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Italian researchers found that drinking tomato juice can help inhibit the production of one of the main inflammatory agents in the body called TNF-alpha. 26 healthy volunteers were split into two groups. One half of the group were given a daily glass of tomato juice for a period of 26 days, while the other group were given a tomato flavored placebo. At the end of the experiment, those who were given the real tomato juice received a 34% reduction in the production of TNF-alpha, while no change was evident in those who took the placebo! Amazing results for a daily glass of tomato juice!
Tomato Juice Recipe
To make your own homemade tomato juicer recipe you need 5 large tomatoes and a juicing machine (if you don’t have a juicing machine, I recommend a Jack LaLanne Power Juicer ). If you juice the tomatoes whole and avoid peeling you will produce a tomato juice with a higher lycopene content. The skin is a very dense source of lycopene. However, be sure to completely remove the stem – it is poisonous. Enjoy!
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