Tomato juice is a popular drink made from the juice of fresh tomatoes. It provides a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and potent antioxidants. However, some believe that tomato juice may not be as healthy as whole tomatoes due to the high sodium content found in certain brands.
Let’s debunk this myth and also highlight some of the significant benefits it has to offer. (Watch out for 3rd point!)
Nutrients in Tomato Soup
In 100 grams serving of Tomato soup, the nutrients are
- 3.9 grams of Carbohydrates
- 0.9 grams of Protein
- 0.2 grams of fat
- 33 Calories
Additionally, it has Vitamin A, C, K, Calcium, Iron and Potassium contents. The fruit is incredibly high in lycopene, a potent antioxidant with impressive health benefits.
How to Prepare Tomato Soup
- Add chopped onion and tomato paste to olive oil and cook until tender
- For 30 minutes, gently simmer whole canned tomatoes and vegetable broth
- Put the soup in the blender, and add a few more essential ingredients such as butter (for amazing rich flavour), a little sugar (it balances the acidity of the tomatoes), salt and pepper
- Pour the blended mixture into a bowl, and serve
Tomato Soup Benefits
The health benefits of tomato soup include:
1. Boosts immunity
The vitamin C and carotenoid content in tomato soup help in stimulating your immune system. In some places, It is used as a home remedy for the common cold. It is also rich in antioxidants which protect the immune system.
2. Promoting hair growth
Tomatoes are high in Vitamin A and C, which keeps your strands healthy and nourish your hair so that it stays moist and does not get dry and brittle easily.
3. Enhances Male Fertility
So here is the shocker for you! One particular study shows that 44 men with infertility concluded that consuming commercial tomato products, such as tomato juice or soup, significantly increased blood lycopene levels, resulting in improved sperm motility. Their sperm count increased rapidly and led to better sex life!
4. Keeps Diabetes Under Check
What makes tomatoes a diabetic superfood is their low carbohydrate content. Tomatoes are non-starchy and also have a low glycaemic index. This makes them a perfect food for diabetic patients.
5. Eliminates Fat
Tomato soup is beneficial for people following a diet plan. It is rich in water and fibre, which makes you feel full and avoid overeating. Dieticians often advise adding tomato soup in weight loss plans as they help burn calories.
6. Reduces the risk of heart disease
A regular intake of tomato soup may lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol - two major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, tomatoes contain carotenoids that may reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure is a significant factor in heart-related illnesses.
7. Promotes healthy skin
Tomato soup has antioxidant properties which offer protection from UV damage and nourish the skin. It also helps in making skin look more youthful and protect against extrinsic ageing.
8. Improves bone health
Lycopene, an essential component of tomato soup, increases bone mineral density by increasing bone mass and thus reduces fracture risk.
9. Improves Mental health
Tomato soup has a high concentration of copper, which is beneficial to the nervous system. It also contains potassium, which helps transmit nerve signals. All these factors contribute to your mental well-being.
10. May help fight cancer
Due to their high lycopene content, tomatoes are widely studied for their cancer-fighting properties. They may be especially beneficial to prostate and breast cancer patients. Multiple studies have found a direct correlation between lycopene intake from tomatoes and lowering cancer risk.
