Tomato Juice Recipes and Properties: A Nutritional Powerhouse

In this article we will explore the diverse advantages of tomato juice, its nutritional content, and provide a collection of revitalizing tomato juice recipes to promote glowing skin and healthier hair.

Tomato Juice: a nutritional powerhouse

Tomato juice is a tomato-based drink, also used as a cocktail in the alcoholic version. Rich in substances beneficial to health, it is also good for the skin. It can also be easily prepared at home, as long as you use well-ripe tomatoes. It is a nutritional powerhouse, brimming with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that contribute to overall well-being.

Let’s delve into the key components that make tomato juice a superfood for your skin and.

Tomato juice: properties and nutritional values

Tomatoes are a staple in many cuisines around the world. Beyond their culinary appeal, tomatoes have gained recognition for their numerous health benefits, particularly for the skin and hair. Tomato juice is rich in:

Vitamins

Vitamin C: Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamin C, which supports collagen production, keeping the skin firm and elastic. It also aids in strengthening hair follicles.
Vitamin A: This vitamin is essential for skin cell production, contributing to a healthy and glowing complexion. It is also beneficial for hair health, promoting hair growth and preventing dryness.

Antioxidants

Lycopene: Tomatoes are renowned for their high lycopene content, an antioxidant that safeguards the skin from UV damage, reducing the risk of sunburn and skin aging.
Beta-Carotene: An antioxidant found in tomatoes, beta-carotene not only enhances skin radiance but also contributes to healthy hair growth.

Minerals

Potassium: This mineral keeps skin hydrated and assists in maintaining the pH balance, contributing to a smooth and glowing complexion.
Iron: Iron is essential for healthy hair, as it aids in carrying oxygen to hair follicles, promoting hair growth.

Let’s not forget, however, that tomato juice is composed primarily of water, helping to keep your body and skin adequately hydrated.

Tomato juice: calories

Tomato juice is a low-calorie drink juice and it is also suitable during a slimming diet.

In fact, for 100 g of natural product, without the addition of other ingredients, only 17 kCal are consumed.

The Benefits for Skin and Hair

Now that we have seen the nutritional richness of this juice, let’s explore the specific benefits it offers for achieving glowing skin and healthier hair.

Benefits for Skin

Sun Protection: The high lycopene content in tomatoes acts as a natural sunscreen, reducing the risk of sunburn and preventing skin damage caused by UV rays.
Anti-Aging: Vitamin C and beta-carotene present in tomato juice stimulate collagen production, helping to maintain skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Acne Control: The natural acidity of tomatoes can assist in controlling excess oil production and preventing acne breakouts.
Glowing Complexion: The vitamins and antioxidants in this juice promote a radiant, even skin tone, contributing to a healthy and youthful appearance.

Benefits for Hair

Hair Growth: The combination of iron and vitamins in tomatoes supports healthy hair growth by enhancing blood circulation to the scalp and strengthening hair follicles.
Dandruff Control: The acidic properties of tomatoes help in maintaining the scalp’s pH balance, reducing dandruff and preventing an itchy scalp.
Shinier Hair: The vitamins and antioxidants in this natural juice contribute to lustrous, shinier hair by preventing hair damage and maintaining its natural sheen.
Preventing Hair Loss: The nutrients in tomato juice can help reduce hair loss by strengthening hair strands and roots.

Seasoned or fresh tomato juice?

Both seasoned and fresh tomato juice have their advantages and can be suitable for different situations:

Fresh tomato juice

You can drink fresh tomato juice like any other fruit juice, it is equally thirst-quenching and refreshing. And without being seasoned, served cold or iced, it is perfect for restoring the mineral salts lost through sweating, after training, or on a very muggy and hot day.

Fresh juice is versatile and can be used as a base for various recipes, including soups, sauces, and as a healthier, lower-sodium alternative in cocktails.

The advantage of fresh tomato juice is that it allows you to control the amount of salt and other seasonings, which can be important for those with dietary restrictions or specific health concerns.

Seasoned tomato juice

Seasoned juice is typically pre-seasoned with herbs, spices, and sometimes salt. This can provide a more complex and flavorful taste, which some people find appealing, especially when drinking it on its own.

When we talk about seasoned tomato juice, many think of the classic aperitif Bloody Mary, which however is alcoholic, as it contains vodka. In reality, you can season the juice by yourself, without adding alcohol, to obtain a delicious refreshing drink to drink especially in summer.

For example, try this recipe. Ingredients:

2 well-ripe copper tomatoes
4 fresh basil leaves
5 fresh parsley leaves
1/2 lemon
2 pinches of celery salt
10 cl of water
2-3 grains of Malabar black pepper
1 pinch of salt

Preparation. Wash and peel the tomatoes and cut them into cubes. Peel the zest of half a lemon, then squeeze it to extract the juice. Pour everything into a blender and add all the other ingredients (water, salt, pepper, parsley, basil). Blend everything for a long time to obtain a smooth drink without lumps. It is better to filter the juice through a strainer, pressing deeply to extract all the juice. You can garnish the juice with one or two mint leaves to emphasize its fresh taste.

How to prepare tomato juice

This drink is easy to prepare and economical: let’s see how to prepare and consume it.

DIY tomato juice

To make this juice at home, choose well-ripe tomatoes. After having carefully washed them, blanch them for 2 minutes in boiling water after making a cross with the knife. This way you can peel them effortlessly.

Cut them into quarters and blend them. Once you have obtained a smooth and homogeneous mixture, filter with a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds and any whole parts.

The resulting juice should be left to rest in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving. It can be enjoyed with the addition of a little lemon juice, Tabasco and other spices, or seasoned with salt and pepper.

Tomato juice in the morning

This natural drink can also be consumed in the morning or on an empty stomach to benefit from its astringent and antioxidant properties. It allows you to obtain purifying effectiveness and maximize its diuretic action.

Tomato juice and pimples

In case of acne, freshly prepared juice from raw tomatoes can be applied to the skin. After massaging, you can rinse. The juice applied to the face seems to have beneficial effects for the skin, thanks to its astringent characteristics.

The substances present in tomatoes appear to have a disinfectant action on pimples and promote the healing process.

Is tomato juice laxative?

Tomatoes stand out as foods with a high laxative power. Even the juice obtained from them can therefore represent a valid ally against constipation problems.

Tomato juice and blood sugar

The juice has a reduced quantity of sugars which, however, are not retained by the fibers and therefore tend to be released less gradually.

Tomato juice based drinks

As a drink it can be used naturally or as an ingredient to make some renowned cocktails. Let’s see some of them.

Tomato juice aperitif

Drinks made from tomato juice usually include the addition of alcohol. This is the case of the famous Bloody Mary cocktail, prepared by adding vodka and spices. Here is the original recipe:

120 cl of very cold tomato juice
40 cl of frozen vodka
0.5 cl of lemon juice
2 drops of Tabasco
1 drop of Worchester sauce
1 pinch of celery salt

Preparation. Shake all the ingredients, some ice cubes, but except the salt, which you add at the end. Serve in a tumbler with a celery stalk garnish.

You can also try this variant: replace vodka with Corona beer and lemon with lime. You will get the Michelada, a very popular Mexican cocktail.

Tomato juice contraindications

Despite its beneficial properties, this juice is an allergenic substance. It should therefore be avoided or consumed with caution by subjects allergic to histamine. Furthermore, it is better to avoid it, even in case of gastritis due to the presence of acids, such as citric acid and malic acid.

Tomato juice and diabetes

The natural drink can also be consumed by diabetics, subject to specialist advice. In any case, it is advisable to remember to use it moderately due to the possible increase in blood sugar levels.

Tomato juice in pregnancy

Taking this drink during pregnancy has no particular contraindications. Indeed, it tends to be recommended to promote the intake of vitamin C and the best absorption of iron.

Tomato Juice Recipes For Glowing Skin and Better Hair

A refreshing drink with many beneficial properties for health and beauty