Tomato juice is extracted from ripe tomatoes, then canned or bottled to preserve freshness. As part of a healthy diet, tomato juice is high in both vitamins and minerals, and also has antioxidant properties that help to reduce the levels of harmful chemicals within the body. A single serving of tomato juice also provides one full serving of vegetables.
Contents
A single serving of 6 oz. of bottled tomato juice weighs 182 grams. The USDA Nutrient Database indicates that 8 g of this serving is carbohydrates. The same serving also has 1 g of protein and no appreciable fat. The rest is made of other nutrients and water.
Caloric Value
According to the USDA Nutrient Database, 6 oz. of tomato juice provides a total of 31 calories. The majority are carbohydrates at 27 calories in each serving. Protein provides around 3 calories and only 1 calorie is from fat. The same serving of tomato juice is around 2 percent of the daily caloric intake for the average adult.
Vitamins
Tomato juice contains substantial amounts of essential vitamins. A single 6-oz. serving is particularly high in vitamins C and A, at 33 mg or 41 percent, and 819 IU or 34 percent, respectively. The same serving of tomato juice also has vitamin B6 at 0.2 mg or 15 percent and folate at 36.4 mcg or 9 percent. Lower quantities of other vitamins in tomato juice include vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid.
Minerals
A 6-oz. serving of bottled tomato juice also has some of the dietary minerals the average adult needs on a daily basis. The highest is potassium, at 417 mg or 20 percent. Other significant amounts of minerals include copper, at 0.1 mg or 9 percent, manganese, at 0.1 mg or 5 percent, and magnesium, at 20 mg or 5 percent. Lesser quantities of calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc and selenium are also found in tomato juice. With added salt for flavor, tomato juice may also be high in sodium.
Antioxidants
A 6-oz. serving of bottled tomato juice provides 50 mg of lycopene. A powerful antioxidant, lycopene can help to reduce the levels of free radicals within the body. These are harmful chemicals that can damage cells and can trigger the occurrence of illnesses including certain types of cancer. Increased intake of lycopene may help to minimize the risk of these illnesses, according to the World's Healthiest Foods website.
Other Information
A single 6-oz. serving of bottled tomato juice also contains 1 g of dietary fiber and contains no cholesterol.
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