Despite the never-ending debate on “Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable?” everyone agrees with one thing.
Tomatoes are incredibly healthy and make one of the tastiest juices out of them.
But when is the best time to drink tomato juice?
There is no simple answer to this question.
Tomato juice can bring you many benefits whenever you drink it.
However, depending on the time of day, it will affect your body differently.
Read below why you should include tomato juice in your menu, what time to drink it and how it will affect your health.
Also, read who should avoid tomato juice and how much of this delicious drink is too much.
Why Should You Drink Tomato Juice?
You can drink tomato juice in two varieties: fresh juice and cooked tomato juice. Both drinks are very healthy and valuable for your body.
Fresh fruit and vegetable juices have become increasingly popular in recent years.
This is a great way to get lots of vitamins and minerals into your body.
Nowadays, when everyday life has become hectic, many of us don’t always have time to prepare healthy and delicious meals every day.
It’s the reason why we often eat improperly and unhealthily.
Juices from fresh fruits and vegetables can help us to replenish nutrients quickly and easily. Also, these juices are an excellent option for those who don’t enjoy the taste of cooked vegetables.
Cooked tomato juice is also great for health, and some studies show that it is often an even better option than fresh juice.
This may surprise you, but the cooking process of tomatoes enhances their nutritional value.
Many of the nutrients in tomatoes are found in the cell walls, and cooking releases them. Cooking is also responsible for deactivating enzymes that would otherwise break down vitamin C and other nutrients.
Also, cooked tomatoes are better than raw tomatoes in fighting bad bacteria.
If you prefer cooked tomato juice, make it yourself instead of buying it at the store. Although purchased tomato juice is also very healthy, it still contains various additives and many supplements that are better to avoid.
It isn’t tricky to make cooked tomato juice. The process involves grinding and cooking, and the result is super delicious.
How does tomato juice affect your body?
Tomato juice is considered a superfood. This drink is rich in vitamins and minerals. Contains vitamins A, C, K, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron.
Thanks to vitamins C and A and some minerals, this drink improves the work of the immune system.
Thanks to high concentrations of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, tomato juice reduces the risk of developing various types of cancer.
Tomato juice protects the heart and blood vessels.
Vitamins C and K in this juice strengthen connective tissues, teeth, and bones.
Have you heard of free radicals?
These harmful substances damage many parts of the human body and are responsible for the appearance of various diseases. Antioxidants found in tomato juice remove free radicals and thus restore the body.
Tomato juice not only makes us healthy but also beautiful.
Thanks to vitamin K, this juice makes our skin brighter and clear. Also, hair grows faster, and it’s stronger and shinier.
Tomato juice is an excellent ally in the fight against excess weight.
It is rich in fiber so you will feel full for a long time. On the other hand, there is no risk of dehydration because it contains a large amount of water.
This delicious drink also helps detoxify the body because it contains chlorine and sulfur that the kidneys and liver need to function successfully.
Tomato juice also improves bowel function and lowers cholesterol.
Vitamin A in tomato juice protects our eyesight.
Drink Tomato Juice in the Morning
It is often recommended to drink tomato juice in the morning.
Indeed, this is a good time of day for tomato juice and can bring various benefits.
If you want to gather energy for the new day and improve your body, drink tomato juice as soon as you wake up.
It should be the first thing you put into your body in the morning.
Then, drink tomato juice on an empty stomach before water, breakfast, or morning coffee.
Half an hour before a meal is the best time for tomato juice, and that’s when its beneficial effects are most potent.
Tomato Juice for Energy
If you are one of those people who have difficulty waking up and take a long time to start functioning in the morning, tomato juice might help.
This juice has everything you need to start your day in the morning.
A cocktail of vitamins and minerals will give you enough energy to wake up and prepare for all the challenges and activities that await you that day.
Although no concrete scientific evidence exists, you may find that a glass of tomato juice in the morning helps you increase your concentration and focus on your tasks.
Many people can’t imagine starting their day without a cup of strong coffee.
As much as we love the taste of coffee, we know there are better options than this. Try replacing this habit with a healthier choice.
You might be surprised how good a caffeine substitute tomato juice can be.
You’ll feel energized and focused, and the benefits to your overall health are remarkable.
Tomato Juice for Body Detox
Thanks to its ingredients, tomato juice purifies the body and frees it of toxins and excess water.
So if you often feel heavy, swollen, and tired, it can signify that your body is full of excess fluid and harmful substances.
Tomatoes are an excellent diuretic that gets your body moving and speeds up your metabolism.
It’s one of the reasons why tomatoes are often on the food list of various weight loss diets.
There are only about 60 calories in one glass of tomato juice.
In addition, the taste of tomatoes is good for preventing hunger pangs.
Research has shown that its sharp and sour taste somehow overloads our sense of taste, making us forget about hunger.
So it’s essential if you are one of those who have a habit of snacking between meals.
The taste of tomatoes will keep you full for a long time, so you won’t need to reach for unhealthy snacks.
After drinking a glass of tomato juice, it’s time for a healthy and balanced breakfast.
Include some protein and fiber as well as some fruit.
This combination will help purify your body and accelerate fat burning. After a morning like this, you will be ready for a challenging and active day.
Tomato Juice for Normal Bowel Movement
The modern way of life has also brought new health problems.
For example, many people suffer from constipation due to stress, the hectic pace of life, and an irregular and unhealthy diet.
This problem affects women more often, although it is also common in men, especially in the elderly.
Constipation is not harmless. Besides being very stressful and uncomfortable, constipation can cause more severe health problems if it becomes chronic.
To fight constipation, you should start your day with food that stimulates the bowels.
Tomato juice is one of the best ways to jumpstart your digestive system in the morning. Tomatoes contain a lot of fiber and have a mild laxative effect.
In addition, you enter a significant amount of liquid into your body through tomato juice. These are all benefits that improve bowel function.
If you regularly drink tomato juice in the morning, you can also expect to lose belly and waist fat.
Tomato Juice for a Strong Immune System
Strong immunity is essential throughout the year, especially in winter, when colds and seasonal viruses are much more common.
We all know the importance of a strong immune system, but we’re not always sure how to improve it.
A glass of tomato juice in the morning is a great and tasty way to boost your immunity.
Thanks to its wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, this drink helps you fight against flu and colds.
Tomato Juice for Heart Protection
More and more people have elevated blood cholesterol levels.
The reasons are mainly improper diet and chronic exposure to stress.
The enzymes and minerals in tomato juice will help you lower bad cholesterol.
These ingredients also improve blood circulation and thus prevent the formation of blood clots.
Tomato Juice for Hair and Skin
We all want to look beautiful, and nothing is wrong with that.
Most women (but also a large number of men) annually spend a small fortune on cosmetics and various preparations for hair and skin care.
However, we often forget that self-care starts with what we put into our body, not what we put on it. The right choice of food is much more important for the beauty of hair and skin than any cosmetic product.
Start your beauty treatment in the morning with a glass of tomato juice as soon as you wake up.
An antioxidant-rich pigment in tomatoes called lycopene is responsible for fighting free radicals.
Free radicals are responsible for aging your cells and causing wrinkles.
With tomato juice, your skin will look younger and cleaner.
Also, thanks to the salicylic acid it contains, tomato juice dries out acne.
In addition, this drink controls oil secretion and reduces enlarged pores, leaving your skin cleaner and smoother.
The valuable ingredients found in tomatoes also affect the beauty of your hair. With the vitamins from tomato juice, hair becomes stronger and shinier and grows faster.
Drink Tomato Juice at Night
Although it is often recommended to drink tomato juice in the morning, the truth is that any time of the day is suitable for a glass of this beverage.
Drinking tomato juice in the evening or at night can also benefit your body.
Many people have trouble relaxing and falling asleep at night.
This problem is mainly due to stress and (although it may sound paradoxical) excessive fatigue. Tomatoes can help you get rid of this problem.
Tomato juice contains tryptophan, one of the essential amino acids which helps improve sleep.
So if you drink a glass of tomato juice in the evening, you will relax and fall asleep more easily. It’s a delicious and healthy way to get a good night’s sleep and wake up fresh and full of energy.
Also, the lycopene in tomato juice helps your body relax, and the vitamins promote good sleep.
However, some believe it is not good to drink tomato juice at night. The main reason for this lies in its acidity.
Some people prefer to avoid acidic food in the evening.
For example, if you drink tomato juice before bed, you may feel uncomfortable if your stomach acid backs up into your esophagus.
If this worries you, try adding lemon to the tomato juice to neutralize the acids.
Who Should Avoid Tomato Juice?
Tomato juice is one of the healthiest drinks that invigorates the body, gives you energy, and has many positive effects on your health.
This drink is especially beneficial if you prepare it yourself at home because you avoid the added sugar and additives you can find in store-bought tomato juice.
However, there are some people for whom tomato juice is not recommended.
If you have specific health problems, tomato juice may do you more harm than good.
First, people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should avoid tomato juice, especially in the evening.
Because of its high acidity, this drink can worsen the symptoms of their condition.
In addition, most tomato juices contain high sodium levels, primarily due to added salt.
If you need to watch your sodium intake for health reasons, check the labels on the tomato juices you buy.
Here you will find information about the sodium content.
Research shows that foods high in sodium have a more significant negative impact on African-Americans.
Also, it is known that a diet high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure problems in some people.
If you control your sugar intake for health reasons, this is another reason to pay special attention to the information on your juice label.
Factory-made tomato juices often have other fruits added, which can increase the sugar and calories in the fluid.
The safest choice is always 100% tomato juice, without added sugar and salt.
An even safer option is tomato juice that you prepare yourself at home.
Allergies to tomatoes are rare but still possible.
People allergic to tomatoes may experience the usual allergic reactions after drinking tomato juice.
Finally, some nutritionists consider the drawback of tomato juice to be that this beverage contains less fiber than whole tomatoes.
However, while this is true, tomato juice still contains more fiber than many other fruit juices we buy and drink more often.
Who Should Drink Tomato Juice?
Although tomato juice benefits more or less all people (except those with specific health problems), it is especially recommended for some. At the top of the list are people who smoke and the elderly.
It is known that cigarettes are harmful for many reasons and contribute to the development of numerous health problems.
Therefore, the best advice is to stop smoking, but if you are not ready to take this step, you should start by increasing your vitamin C.
Tomato juice is a great way to achieve this.
Also, many older people don’t get enough nutrients into their bodies.
There are numerous reasons for this, one of which is appetite, which often decreases with age.
To make sure you get enough vitamins and nutrients, make it a habit to start your day with a glass of tomato juice.
How Much Tomato Juice is Too Much?
There is no simple answer to this question. It’s generally considered safe to drink up to four glasses of tomato juice daily, but it still depends on the person.
Tomato juice is an excellent substitute for many less healthy beverages, such as fruit juices with added sugar, sodas, or coffee.
This drink is tasty, healthy, and refreshing, but you shouldn’t overdo it.
Since the desired intake of tomato juice varies from person to person, it is best to consult your doctor if you suspect you are drinking too much tomato juice. However, some symptoms can show you that you are overdoing this drink.
If you notice that you urinate frequently or that the color of your urine is darker than usual, it may be the result of overdoing it with tomato juice. Also, too much tomato juice can cause headaches or dizziness for some people.
Too much tomato juice can cause acid reflux, heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea.
Also, overdoing it can increase the risk of developing kidney stones.
How to Make Tomato Juice?
Homemade tomato juice is the best option and is easy to make.
The simplest method is to chop the tomatoes and put them in a juicer.
The juicer will remove the seeds and skin, and your delicious drink will be ready in a few minutes.
You can also make tomato juice in a blender.
First, chop the tomatoes so the blender can grind them more quickly, and let the machine run for a few minutes until the mixture is smooth.
After that, squeeze the mixture through cheesecloth, and you will get juice.
If you don’t have a juicer or a blender, you can make tomato juice using a grater.
First, grate the tomatoes and then squeeze them through cheesecloth. This method requires a little more time and effort, but the results are equally successful.
You can also make cooked tomato juice at home.
One of the easiest ways is to wash and clean the tomatoes well and then grind them.
Bring the resulting mixture to a boil, then cook at a low temperature for 60 to 90 minutes.
Pour the cooked tomatoes into sterilized hot glass bottles, then add a little oil.
Close the bottles tightly and cover them with a blanket, so they cool very slowly. Store them in a cold, dark place when they are completely cool.
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