Tomato juice: useful properties and contraindications

Tomatoes or tomatoes (in fact, it is the same thing, just the words have different linguistic origins) are berries, but we are used to considering them as vegetables. Europeans, on the other hand, think of them as fruits. The study of tomatoes began in the 19th century. Since then, various varieties and species have appeared, and tomatoes have become an integral part of almost everyone's diet.

Tomato juice has many valuable qualities. Various vitamins, macro- and microelements, acids of organic origin, enzymes, phytoncides are found in its composition, which have a positive effect on metabolic processes in the body.

Types of tomato juice

Often on the label of store juice you can find an inscription that says that it contains one hundred percent natural drink. In fact, there are two types of tomato products: freshly squeezed juice and reconstituted drink from concentrate.

1. Freshly squeezed juice is characterized by a more pronounced taste, it contains more useful substances for the body. But it can be difficult to find such a product in stores, because it is made only during the harvesting of tomatoes, starting in August and ending in October.
2. Reconstituted from concentrate drink is produced throughout the year. To obtain it, the concentrate is mixed with as much water as was extracted during its manufacture.

The second kind is divided into three varieties:

1. The first is concentrated juice. To make it, the liquid part of freshly squeezed tomato juice is reduced by a factor of eight during boiling. It has a liquid consistency.
2. Also known second type, when the juice is obtained from tomato paste. In this case, the tomatoes are boiled down five times.
3. The third option for the production of juice is a method using tomato puree. In this case, the pulp of tomatoes is boiled three times. The taste and consistency of such a drink is most similar to freshly squeezed.

The production of quality tomato juice does not involve the use of preservatives. The shelf life of the product increases only through the use of special packaging and the use of the pasteurization process.

Composition and calories

Tomato juice has an impressive composition. It contains mineral elements, vitamins and other health benefits.

1. Tomato juice contains vitamin A, which is responsible for the beauty of hair and skin, increases immunity.
2. Vitamin E, contained in tomato juice, slows the aging process in the body, has antioxidant properties, resulting in reduced risk of cancer.
3. B vitamins are also found in tomatoes. They ensure the normal functioning of the nervous system, restore psycho-emotional state.
4. Ascorbic acid strengthens the protective shell of the body, which does not allow harmful substances to penetrate the organs and systems. It is worth noting that the content of vitamin C in tomato juice is as high as in citrus.
5. Of trace elements in tomato juice contains such substances as Fe, I, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn.
6. Macronutrients in the product are P, Na, K, Mg, S, Ca.
7. Tomato juice contains in its composition some organic acids - these are apple acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, and succinic acid.
8. The product contains natural sugars such as glucose and fructose.

In addition, there are various pigments, dietary fiber and pectin in the tomato drink.

Such a rich composition of the product indicates its useful properties. Mineral and vitamin substances play an important role in human life. Their lack leads to the development of various diseases. Sugars of natural origin provide the body with energy, dietary fiber saturates it.

The caloric value of tomato juice is low - only 15-20 kcal per 100 grams of drink. Because of this, the product belongs to the diet and is often prescribed to those who are struggling with obesity.

How is tomato juice useful?

General benefits

Tomato juice has a laxative property, choleretic and diuretic, has an antioxidant, cleansing and immunostimulating effect.

The natural product is of great value for the body. It improves digestion, normalizes bowel function. Juice cleanses excess fluid in the body, removes salts and decay products. In addition, the natural product stimulates the synthesis of bile, takes part in the breakdown of fats.

Tomato juice promotes weight loss, strengthens the immune system, participates in hematopoiesis. Also, the vegetable drink lowers blood pressure, normalizes the central nervous system, improves skin condition, rejuvenates it, strengthens the cardiovascular system.

For women

Tomato juice is an excellent dietary product that helps women not only to get rid of extra pounds, but also to slow the aging process, improve the condition of the skin, nails and hair. When used externally, tomato product has a drying property, it reduces the synthesis of sebum, so in acne and seborrhea has a pronounced effect.

Consumption of tomato juice during menopause and menstruation improves mood, reduces anxiety and protects against neurosis.

If you drink 1-2 liters of juice every week, a woman's body will be protected from the development of cervical cancer, tumors in the breast and ovaries.

For men

The benefits of tomato juice for men's health lies in the normalization of the prostate, the prevention of the development of inflammatory and cancerous diseases. This is provided by vitamins A and E, which are the building blocks in the production of male hormones, the synthesis of which decreases with age. In addition, the drink provides a stable erection, prolongs sexual intercourse and improves the quality of ejaculate. Zinc and selenium in the juice are responsible for this.

Men are more susceptible to stress, they often develop heart attacks and strokes, so tomato juice must be present in the diet of the stronger half of mankind. After all, with the regular use of vegetable drink man's body becomes stronger, adjusted the work of all organs and systems.

Smokers usually have a deficit of B vitamins. It can be replenished with the help of tomato juice.

One and a half to two liters of tomato juice a week will protect the male body from prostate cancer, prostate development.

When pregnant

If a pregnant woman does not have any contraindications, tomato juice can bring great benefit to her body. The useful properties of the product are known for toxicosis. Due to its tart taste, unpleasant sensations are eliminated. In addition, the juice contains various vitamins and other useful substances that are necessary for both the expectant mother and the developing baby. It is not uncommon to hear that pregnant women want tomato juice. This is explained by the fact that the body tries to replenish all the necessary substances.

Tomato juice is useful during pregnancy because it protects against the development of varicose veins, prevents constipation, flatulence. Through diuretic action, the product eliminates hypertension and edema, and also normalizes weight.

Breastfeeding

During lactation, it is allowed to consume tomato juice, if there are no certain contraindications. However, it is important to follow some rules. First of all, you need to remember that such a drink is introduced into the diet of a nursing woman gradually, starting with 30 ml per reception. Such a treat can be introduced at the earliest when the baby is three months old. After drinking the juice, it is important to monitor your baby's reaction. If liquid stools, rashes on the skin or colic appear, you should refuse such a drink for a while.

In a day it is recommended to drink no more than one glass of tomato product 1-2 times a week. It is also important not to add salt and other spices to the drink.

For children

Tomato juice is also useful for children. He strengthens the immune system of the child, reduces his capriciousness, overwork, gets rid of constipation and bloating. The juice can also increase hemoglobin, improve metabolic processes.

It is not recommended to give the product in pure form to children under the age of three. Introduce tomato product to children's menu gradually, in small portions, be sure to add other vegetables. For example, you should start with a small spoonful of juice, which can be seasoned broth or soup of the child.

Children over three years of age can consume tomato juice several times a week for 100-150 ml. But for the first time will be enough and 50 ml. If after that no digestive disorders and allergies occur, after 1-2 days you can give the child juice again, increasing the volume a little.

Is packed tomato juice useful

Before buying packaged tomato juice, it is important to study its composition. If the packaging indicates that a direct spin method, direct extraction or reconstitution procedure was used in the production, this indicates that all the necessary processing was carried out when obtaining such a drink. Such a product does not contain aromatic and coloring components, as well as preservatives. The presence of pulp and clarification of the beverage in no way affects the quality of the product.

Various nectars, morses based on tomato juice contained in packages can harm the human body, since the natural part in such a product takes only 50%, and that of conscientious manufacturers. The rest is given to sugar syrup, citric acid, salt and various preservatives.

Packaged tomato juice is quite a questionable product, as you can not be sure that the production used only tomatoes. To consume such a drink or not, everyone decides for himself. But most nutritionists recommend to give up drinking them.

The benefits of tomato juice with salt

Some people are used to drinking tomato juice, adding salt to it. However, we must remember that those who salt this drink, themselves kill most of the useful components that are contained in tomatoes. This may not harm the body, but it significantly reduces the usefulness of the product.

Can you drink tomato juice to lose weight?

Tomato juice has a low caloric value, due to which it is widely used in diet therapy. The easiest way to use this product for weight loss is to consume it 30 minutes before a meal. Such a procedure satiates the body, which allows you to eat a smaller portion. At the same time, it is important to exclude fatty, spicy and sweet foods, as well as to limit the use of flour products. This method will allow you to lose a couple of kilograms in a week.

You can do a discharge day using tomato juice. For this purpose, it is enough to drink 4-5 glasses of the drink throughout the day, alternating with filtered water. It is important to drink the juice without added sugar and salt. It is recommended to use parsley or celery herbs to improve the taste.

This method of weight loss is allowed to use if there are no contraindications. Before using such a diet, you should consult a nutritionist.

Tomato juice in medicine

In the composition of tomatoes is found such a substance as lycopene. It has antioxidant properties. This component is designed to slow the aging process, restoring cellular tone. Also lycopene suppresses the development of tumor cells in their initial stages. Three acids contained in tomato juice take part in this process: malic acid, oxalic acid and succinic acid.

People who have problems with the cardiovascular system often face the problem of cholesterol plaques in the lumen of the vessels. The tomato drink contains pectin, which cleanses the blood vessels from cholesterol deposits. In addition, this substance stimulates the digestive processes by activating the synthesis of hydrochloric acid.

Tomato product due to the large number of minerals in its composition normalizes the water-salt balance, facilitates the removal of kidney stones.

For diabetes

Low-calorie tomato juice has the ability to reduce blood glucose levels and stimulate the metabolism. All these useful properties of the product are important for people with diabetes. In such a disease, the drink is able to have a revitalizing effect on the patient, improve his well-being.

If there are no contraindications, with this pathology, the product from tomatoes is recommended to use for three months. After that, a break of two weeks should be made and the course should be repeated again. In this case, the daily dose of the drink should not be more than 500 ml. The juice should be drunk 60 minutes before a meal.

Important: The glycemic index of tomato juice is 38 units.

In pancreatitis

During exacerbation of pancreatitis, a special diet is followed, tomato juice is contraindicated at this stage. During remission, you can use tomato juice, but the product must be natural. Also with this disease, the juice before use should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2. The initial dose should be one teaspoon with meals. After that, the volume of juice can be increased to 200 ml, if it is a diluted drink, and 100 ml - in the case of a fresh concentrated product.

Drink juice in undiluted form in chronic pancreatitis can be only if the attacks have not occurred for several months.

In gastritis

Gastritis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach, which leads to various disorders in the body. This pathology requires a serious approach to nutrition. During periods of exacerbation of the disease, the number of products is limited, during remission - somewhat increased.

Tomato juice has an antimicrobial effect, which has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Due to its choleretic and diuretic properties, it removes toxins from the body and prevents putrefaction processes.

Gastritis with hyperacidity implies a ban on the use of tomato juice. You should not drink such a drink and during an exacerbation of the disease.

During remission, as well as in gastritis with reduced acidity, you can consume tomato juice in small quantities. In this case, it is important that the product was fresh, did not have in its composition salt and various additives. The drink stimulates the production of gastric juice. Therefore, it is important to comply with the norm, which is no more than 250 ml per day.

For the intestines

The useful properties of tomato juice are reflected in the work of the intestines. This product has an anti-inflammatory property, normalizes peristalsis in the intestines. Also tomato juice reduces fermentation processes in the body, reduces the risk of flatulence and is a prophylactic against constipation.

With constipation

Tomato juice is characterized by a laxative effect, so it is recommended for the formation of constipation, including the chronic form. The product stimulates the process of digestion, increases intestinal peristalsis, due to which the stools are softened, the process of their elimination is simplified.

From the use of tomato juice can develop diarrhea. This occurs when the daily rate is not respected. Even if there are long-term constipation, you should not drink more than five glasses of juice a day.

The product is contraindicated in case of diarrhea, because in this case it will only irritate the intestinal mucosa more. This will only aggravate an already unpleasant situation. It can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, bloody diarrhea, heartburn, and dehydration.

In gout

During the acute course of the disease, as well as in the neglected stage of gout, tomato juice is prohibited. Since tomatoes contain oxalic acid, it interferes with the process of excretion of uric acid salts from the joints.

In periods of remission, a small amount of tomato juice can be included in the diet of the patient. And even better, if it is not consumed in pure form, but as an additive, for example, in soup.

In colitis

When colitis is detected, only freshly prepared homemade tomato juice is allowed to be consumed. The purchased product may contain dyes and various preservatives, which can harm the injured gastrointestinal tract. It is worth noting that in this disease it is necessary to dilute the juice with boiled water, otherwise the work of the intestines will be slowed down.

Tomato juice in the case of colitis will be a good remedy that will stimulate the intestinal function, as well as protect against the possible occurrence of cancer. Such a drink should be drunk before meals, without adding salt.

For the liver

As is known, the tomato product has a choleretic property, dilutes bile and stimulates its excretion. Therefore, the drink can be used for various liver pathologies, but only with the permission of the treating doctor. Tomato juice can be consumed even with cirrhosis of the liver, because the product ensures the work of the organ, normalizes the state of the liver vessels and protects against the development of hepatosis.

For the treatment of liver diseases, it is recommended to drink one glass twice a day. If the specified dose is exceeded, side effects may occur. The acids in the juice, if ingested in large quantities, can interfere with the absorption of nutrients. This can cause hepatosis.

In hemorrhoids

Tomato juice is useful because it contains almost all the important elements for health that can be found in vegetable food. Tomatoes are characterized by antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and are a natural antioxidant. Due to this, the regular use of tomato juice reduces the likelihood of hemorrhoids, if such a disease already exists, the product is able to cure it.

Tomato drink prevents the process of putrefaction in the intestines and has an antiseptic effect, as a result of which the damaged walls of the arteries are less exposed to pathogenic microbes. At the same time, tissue regeneration is accelerated and blood vessels are restored.

Vegetable juice contains substances that prevent the formation of blood clots and clots. This is also important in the treatment of hemorrhoids. In this disease, it is also recommended to drink the juice half an hour before meals several times a day. It is not necessary to add salt, it reduces the useful properties of the product.

When cholecystitis

During an exacerbation of cholecystitis, you can not drink tomato-based juice. During a period of stable remission, it is possible to use the drink. It contains a lot of pectin, it invigorates, gives a feeling of satiety and has a tonic effect. If you prepare the juice at home, add to it a small amount of olive oil, a little parsley, you will get a complete dish for those who must comply with the diet.

Tomato juice should be drunk warm, without adding salt and sugar. The consumption of cold food with cholecystitis can lead to spasm of the biliary tract and cause severe pain.

In hypertension

Tomato juice is able to lower blood pressure, while improving cardiovascular function, thinning the blood and eliminating edema. The product also prevents the development of nervous tension, which can cause high blood pressure. A couple of glasses of juice a day will help to normalize blood pressure readings.

When poisoned

It is allowed to consume tomato juice only in mild poisoning, when there is nausea, heaviness in the stomach and mild intestinal upset. If there is severe poisoning, tomato juice will only worsen the condition. With such symptoms, the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract are irritated and inflamed due to the action of pathogenic microorganisms, and the juice can increase the acidity in the stomach, stimulate intestinal peristalsis, which will increase the manifestations of the disease.

In acute poisoning, include tomato product in the diet is allowed only after five days from the onset of the disease. Drink in this case should not exceed one glass.

For a hangover.

Tomato juice can be used to get rid of hangover symptoms. To do this, you need to follow a few rules. After waking up, you should first drink a glass of water and only after that use the drink. Such a procedure will help to relieve the manifestations of intoxication and accelerate the process of excretion of processed products from the body.

With a severe manifestation of a hangover, you can not drink juice in its pure form the first morning, because this will only increase the absorption of toxic components. It is recommended to mix the product of tomato processing with the yolk of one egg.

Tomato juice in cosmetology

Regular application of masks, the basis of which contains tomato juice, prevents the development of wrinkles, the appearance of age spots. Facial mixtures with tomato drink contribute to smoothing the skin, cleansing. The product allows you to whiten and purify it, make it fresher.

Tomato juice can be used for combination skin types. The product is able not only to remove shine, but also to narrow the enlarged pores, which is typical of an oily skin type.

For the face

To get rid of white acne, you should wipe your face with fresh tomato juice. Will help in this case and wiping with tomato juice, in which you need to add a little glycerin.

With oily skin type should collect the juice of a tomato and wipe the skin with it, moistening the napkin. You can also make a compress. Hold such a mask for half an hour. As it dries, the napkin should be moistened, in the end take it off and rinse with cool water.

To prepare a refreshing mask, which also has a softening property, you will need to mix one teaspoon of tomato product with the same amount of sour cream and add the yolk of one egg. The cured mixture should be applied for 15-20 minutes, then remove with warm water.

A mask with the juice of one tomato, two tablespoons of flour and two drops of lemon juice will help with sensitive skin. The ready mass should be applied evenly to the skin of the face. You can wash it off after half an hour.

For fading skin, it is recommended to prepare a mask by mixing the juice of a ripe tomato, a tablespoon of honey and twice as much grape juice. All ingredients should be mixed until a sour creamy mass. Apply the mask for 10-15 minutes, then remove it with a cotton pad.

For hair

To stimulate hair growth, you can prepare a mask based on a tomato drink. The juice of half a tomato, a garlic clove and bell peppers should be thoroughly mixed in a blender until a homogeneous mass, and then add a teaspoon of juice of a lemon fruit. The mass should be rubbed into the roots of the hair, then warm the head and wash off after 30-35 minutes.

You can prepare a nourishing hair mask. For this you need the juice of one tomato, a teaspoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of starch. All the ingredients should be mixed and apply the ready mixture to the scalp and hair along the entire length. The head should be warmed and keep in this form for about 40 minutes. Wash off with warm water and shampoo. This will help to return your hair to a healthy shine.

With oily hair type will help mask using the juice of two small tomatoes and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix these ingredients, then rub the ready mixture into the roots and apply to the strands. Hair must be warmed and kept for half an hour. After this time, wash off the tomato mask with slightly warm water.

Health Hazards and Contraindications

First of all, tomato juice is not recommended to use in the presence of gastrointestinal problems. In particular, this applies to gastritis, pancreatitis and cholecystitis in the period of exacerbation.

In order not to disturb the water-salt balance, the juice should be drunk about half an hour before meals. In order not to harm the body, it is important to use this drink correctly. So, you should not combine the product with food that is enriched with proteins.

It is important to use juice, prepared at home, in a fresh form. Excessive consumption of canned drink can cause the formation of kidney stones. It is not recommended to combine the tomato product with food that contains a lot of starch, which will also lead to the deposition of kidney and bladder stones.

If one is prone to frequent stomach upsets, one must remember that fresh tomato juice can lead to such consequences.

Poisoning is also a contraindication to the use of tomato juice. The presence of cholelithiasis implies a careful use of this product, because tomatoes have a choleretic property, in this case a person can be helped only by surgery.

Tomato juice is a healthy and useful food, but it is important to observe the norm and take into account the peculiarities of the body.

How to choose and store tomato juice

Often for lack of free time people prefer to buy bagged tomato juice in the store. But even in this case, you need to follow some rules in order to buy a quality product. First you need to clarify whether the juice is reconstituted or made by direct pressing. Preference should be given to the second option.

Next, the composition of the drink should be taken into account. If the packaging indicates that the product contains a large amount of sugar, as well as various dyes and preservatives, it is better to refuse such a juice. Otherwise there may be allergies or other side effects. You should pay attention to the carbohydrate content of the juice. The lower it is, the less sugar it contains.

The packaging should be intact, the date of manufacture should be clear, not covered with other labels. It is better to choose juices with pulp. In such a drink is more useful.

There are two ways to store ready-made tomato juice. The first option is a short-term storage, that is, in this case the product after cooking is placed in the refrigerator for two days, no more. After this time, fermentation begins.

The second method involves long-term storage. In this case, freshly squeezed juice should be boiled, sterilized jars with lids for further preservation. During such heat treatment, some of the useful properties of the drink are lost, but this allows you to extend the shelf life of the juice.

Can it be frozen

Tomato juice can be frozen. Glass and plastic bottles and jars, plastic bags, and various ice molds are used for this purpose. If you use bottles, it is important to remember not to fill them up to the top. Some space should be left to allow the liquid to expand as it freezes. For this method of storage, it is recommended to use containers of such volume, so that after defrosting they can be used up all at once.

If you intend to store juice in bags, it is important to use new, thick products. In them it is necessary to pour the required amount of drink and tie tightly. If necessary, you can use an additional bag.

To freeze juice in silicone or metal molds does not require them to be pre-lubricated. In this case, you also need to leave a little space, not pouring the drink to the edges of the container.

How to drink tomato juice correctly

For tomato juice to benefit the body, you should not drink it on an empty stomach. After all, it contains acids that can corrode the mucous membrane of the stomach and lead to gastritis. It is recommended to drink it 30 minutes before the meal. This will allow the juice to absorb better, and also contributes to the digestion of food.

You should not drink the drink during a meal and after a meal. The product is suitable for snacking between meals. This will allow you to get the most benefit.

Tomato juice has the property of increasing the sensation of pain. Therefore, you should limit the use of the vegetable drink during illness or any injury.

How much you can drink per day

In the norm, you can drink no more than 500-600 ml of juice per day. If there are chronic diseases, it is necessary to consult a doctor, so as not to harm the body.

If there are no contraindications, the drink can be consumed 1-2 times a week.

You can drink it at night and on an empty stomach

You should not drink tomato juice before going to bed, because the product can increase the acidity in the stomach, which leads to stimulation of the digestive process. At night, the body must rest, so all the processes in it are slowed down. As a result, the drink drunk at night will remain in the stomach until morning, producing hydrochloric acid. This can lead to heartburn and stomach pain.

During the day between meals, you can drink juice half an hour before meals, but it is not recommended to do it in the morning on an empty stomach. As already mentioned, the acids in the product have an irritating effect on the organs of the digestive tract. It is recommended to first drink a glass of clean water after waking up and only after that use a drink from tomato.

Can I drink vodka with tomato juice

There are no contraindications to the use of tomato juice after vodka. In this case, the only limitation may be the individual intolerance of the tomato drink. If a person likes tomato juice, he can safely drink vodka with it.

How to make tomato juice: recipes

To make tomato juice is very simple. There are many recipes for obtaining such a drink. To obtain such a product, it is not necessary to use beautiful ripe vegetables. You can even use slightly spoiled tomatoes. Crumpled and even slightly burnt tomatoes will not impair the taste of the finished drink. You only need to cut out the spoiled parts. It is also important to consider the variety of tomatoes. For juice the species with a thin skin and juicy flesh are suitable.

With tomatoes

To make tomato juice, you will need the vegetables themselves, salt and sugar to taste, bayroot and 9% vinegar (at the rate of one tablespoon per jar). First you need to wash the vegetables in cool water, remove the stalks, if the fruits are large, you can cut them into small pieces. Next, pass the tomatoes through a meat grinder or juicer. Collect the resulting juice in a pot, which then put on medium heat. Fill the drink with sugar and salt, and boil it for 15-20 minutes from the boiling point. The finished product is poured into jars, cover and leave for some time at room temperature. Further storage is carried out in a cool place.

From tomato paste

To get juice from tomato paste, you need only paste and water at the rate of 1 tablespoon of tomato product per glass of water and salt and pepper to taste. You need to dilute the paste in water and season with spices. If you need to get a drink of thicker consistency, you can use 2-3 spoons of tomato paste per glass of liquid.

Tomato juice for the winter

The following ingredients are needed for making for the winter: 10 kg of tomatoes, half a cup of salt, a few bay leaves and a pinch of sugar. Washed tomatoes should be cut into halves and placed in an enamel container.

Boil the tomatoes for 6-8 minutes. After that, separate the skin from the flesh of the fruit. Place the cooled vegetables on a sieve and squeeze. It is also possible to get juice by using various household appliances. Usually you get about 7 liters of juice, it should be poured into a pot and boiled, adding salt and sugar and bay leaf. On medium heat, boil the drink for 15 minutes. During this time, prepare jars and lids. Without turning off the stove, pour the liquid into jars and seal. Such natural juice will retain its beneficial properties until spring.

Recipe for tomato juice soup

Tomato juice can be added to summer soup. The dish turns out delicious, nourishing and at the same time very light. For its preparation, you will need several ripe tomatoes, a liter of tomato juice, two onions, bell peppers, a couple of potatoes, spices, and sour cream. These ingredients make a delicious first dish.

To start, the tomatoes, peppers and peeled potatoes should be cut into small pieces. Vegetables should be baked until tender. You can cook them on the grill, then the soup will be more flavorful.

1. Next, put a pot with juice on the fire and bring the drink to a boil. Then add vegetables, salt and spices to taste and bring it to the boil again. Then turn down the heat and simmer the dish for about 15 minutes on the stove.
2. Diced onions fry in oil until golden brown and add to the pot with the soup. If desired, the dish can be chopped in a blender until the soup is pureed.
3. After 15 minutes, add 0.5 cup of sour cream to the soup and mix the whole mass thoroughly. It remains only to chop greens, fresh onions and sprinkle each portion of the soup. Serve the dish with garlic croutons.

How to Make Ketchup from Tomato Juice

Tomato juice can be used to make ketchup. You will need 150 ml of tomato drink, two tablespoons of sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Those who like spices can add a mixture of dried herbs.

Pour the sugar in a pan and put it on a low heat. When all the mass is melted, pour 2/3 of the tomato drink into the container. It's okay if some of the sugar freezes, because it will melt again when heated. Next, add salt and pepper, and other spices if you want. After that, cook the mixture for about 6-8 minutes, until it thickens. Ketchup is ready, you can serve it with fish or potatoes.

Why do they drink tomato juice on the plane?

On planes, passengers often ask for tomato juice. This is due to the fact that during the flight there is a pressure drop, which contributes to a change in the taste of all food, including sugar and salt, by thirty percent.

Most passengers note that it is on the plane, this product has a particularly piquant taste. To feel the familiar taste of food, they choose such drinks, which in everyday life are too salty or sour for them. In addition, tomato juice is able to maintain water-salt balance in the body and eliminate for a while the feeling of hunger.

Interesting facts about tomatoes

1. Tomatoes were first cultivated by the Aztecs back in the eighth century. They called them "tomatl", which in their language meant "big berries". In Europe, the culture appeared in the 16th century.
2. For a long time tomatoes were considered poisonous, but in the 19th century a military man ate a bucket of these fruits outside the courthouse. When those around him noticed that he didn't get sick, they began to eat the product.
3. Today there are about 10,000 varieties of this plant. There are vegetables of red, yellow color, there are also black tomatoes.
4. For a long time, the biological origin of tomatoes could not be determined. Botany refers to tomatoes as berries. In the United States at the end of the 19th century, they began to be called vegetables, explaining that even though they come from seeds, like all berries and fruits, they cannot be used as dessert and eaten raw. And so it was at the beginning of the 21st century that the European Union decided that tomatoes are fruits.
5. The largest number of tomatoes are grown in China.
6. One American state produced the largest tomato, which weighed almost 3 kilograms.
7. In Spain, the last week of summer is considered a holiday of tomatoes. During this period, a large number of tourists visit the country to take part in a battle in which the weapons are tomatoes.
8. A century ago, tomatoes were used as an ornamental plant.

Photo of tomato juice