Tomatoes are fruits (and also vegetables) that we often find in a variety of food dishes. Its slightly sour taste can provide a refreshed feeling when you eat it. Besides its taste and colour, tomatoes contain a myriad of benefits that are good for the body. Not only maintaining eye health, tomatoes are also known to provide benefits for the heart.

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, beta carotene, folate, potassium, vitamins C and E, and flavonoids. These nutrients are known to maintain heart health and help lower your blood pressure. This opinion is supported by the results of a recent study published in Food Science & Nutrition, in which some Japanese researchers found that drinking a glass of (unsalted) tomato juice can help lower blood pressure. Also, the researchers found that (unsalted) tomato juice can reduce bad cholesterol levels in the body.

In his study, the researchers analysed 184 male participants and 297 female participants. Within one year, each participant was asked to consume as much (unsalted) tomato juice as desired, and the participants drank at least 215ml of tomato juice per day on average. To find out the effect of tomato juice, the researchers measured several factors, such as blood pressure and triglyceride, cholesterol, and glucose levelin each participant.

As a result, some of the participants experienced a decrease in blood pressure. Their average systolic blood pressure dropped from 141.2 to 137.0 mmHg, and their diastolic blood pressure also dropped from 83.3 to 80.9 mmHg. Also, the researchers found no change in the triglyceride and glucose levels of each participant. Conversely, cholesterol levels are known to experience a significant decrease.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Shutterstock

Source(s):

• Odai, T., Terauchi, M., Okamoto, D., et all (2019). Unsalted tomato juice intake improves blood pressure and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in local Japanese residents at risk of cardiovascular disease. Food Science & Nutrition, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1066.
• Healthline - Trying to Lower Your Blood Pressure? Drinking Tomato Juice May Help (2019). https://www.healthline.com/health-news/want-to-lower-your-blood-pressure-drink-unsalted-tomato-juice, 25 Juni 2019.