When tomato juice is pasteurized, it is heated to kill any bacteria that could make you sick, but most of its nutrients are preserved, according to the Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations. Adding tomato juice to a well-balanced diet has several health benefits due to the nutrients it contains. Choose a low-sodium version, as too much salt can cause high blood pressure.
Potassium
The daily recommended intake for potassium is 2,000 mg, and a cup of tomato juice contributes 556 mg to this total. Potassium is important for regulating your blood pressure, and increasing your intake may be an effective way to lower yours if you suffer from hypertension, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Adequate potassium intake is also essential for muscle and bone contraction, as well as for keeping digestion working efficiently.
Vitamin C
Tomato juice is a healthy way to increase your vitamin C intake, with 44.5 mg per cup. Vitamin C supports your immune system and fights off germs that could make you sick. It also produces collagen, which your body needs for healthy skin and to heal wounds. Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant, which means it fights cellular damage caused by free radicals and helps to prevent cancer and other health conditions. Women need 75 mg of potassium per day, while men need 90 mg every day.
Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene
Vitamin A produces white blood cells, which fight off bacteria and viruses that could cause illnesses. It is also involved with bone growth, reproduction, vision and cell division. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in your body and increases the benefits of vitamin A. Women need 2,310 IU of vitamin A each day and men need 3,000 IU. There is no recommended daily intake for beta-carotene, but 3 to 6 mg each day will maintain a healthy level in your body, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Tomato juice is a good source of both nutrients, with 1,094 IU of vitamin A and 656 mcg of beta-carotene per cup.
Lycopene
Tomato juice is one of the best sources of lycopene, a carotenoid that has antioxidant properties. Lycopene has shown promise in some studies as a way to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and macular degeneration, reports MayoClinic.com. While its effectiveness is debated, a diet rich in tomato juice and other brightly colored fruits and vegetables will protect your health and increase your lycopene intake. There is no recommended dose of lycopene, but 2 to 30 mg per day may have health benefits. A cup of tomato juice has 21,960 mcg of lycopene, making it a powerful way to help prevent a variety of health concerns.
References
- Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations: Fresh Vegetable Storage
- USDA Database: Tomato Juice, Canned, Without Salt
- MayoClinic.com; Lycopene; July 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Potassium; Steven D. Erhlich, May 2009
- Office of Dietary Supplements; Vitamin C; June 2011
- Office of Dietary Supplements; Vitamin A and Carotenoids; April 2006
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