Tomatoes

Tomatoe Juice is often recommended to supply all essential vitamins without adding calories and helping weight loss.

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The nightshade family of plants spread from the Americas to the rest of the world mainly through three of its representatives: the potato, tobacco and the tomato. Ever since its rich vitamin content was discovered, the tomato has been mass cultivated and placed on the 'must' list of all health-conscious people. The tomato (lycopersicon esculentum) is native to Peru. Its mane is apparently of Mexican origin and means 'apple of paradise' or 'apple of life.' The Portuguese were probably the first to bring the plant to the Mediterranean regions. From there it spread to Turkey and the Orient, as well as across the Balkans to the rest of Europe where it soon became a popular food and spice.

The therapeutic and nutrient value of the tomato lays primarily in its high vitamin content, particularly vitamins A and C. its vitamin B content is also considerable. Tomatoes also contain traces of vitamin D and the bioflavonoids. Organically grown field tomatoes are the most desirable - whole, as pulp or in juice form. In addition to organic acids, the tomato also has an astounding mixture of minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, and traces of iron, copper and cobalt.

This combination of vitamins and minerals, plus saponin and some oxalic acid, favourably stimulates the digestive juices, particularly the pancreas. The tomato is mildly laxative, soothes cramps (because of its magnesium content), is well tolerated by the ailing liver - and has very few calories! Therefore, it is often recommended for a juice fasting cleanse to supply all essential vitamins without adding calories and helping weight loss.

Tomato juice should be given to children who are anaemic due to iron deficiency. When combined with spinach juice and carrot juice, the effects of enriched blood will soon be noted in the form of rosy cheeks, for example. Tomato juice is further recommend to improve appetite, for expectant and nursing mothers, for convalescents, and for cases of general weakness due to vitamin deficiency.

Tomato juice for therapeutic use must not be salted as sodium promotes water retention within the cells.