Tomato paste: health benefits and harms

Pasta made from tomatoes is a semi-finished product that is formed as a result of heat treatment of tomatoes. For the production of pasta, only red fruits are used. It is used to improve the taste of most dishes, both first and second.

What is the difference between ketchup and tomato paste

To obtain ketchup, like tomato paste, tomatoes are used. However, these two products are different from each other. The main difference between them is their composition. In the manufacture of pasta take tomatoes peeled from seeds and peels. Tomatoes are wiped through a sieve and boiled, after which salt is added.

For the preparation of ketchup, tomato paste, spices, water are used, and also a large number of preservatives are often added. For comparison, in ketchup, only 15 percent of the total composition is tomato paste. In addition, the composition of this product includes thickeners, coloring pigments, flavorings, antioxidants, etc. Ketchup is a sauce for hot dishes, and pasta is an independent ingredient for cooking.

Composition and calorie content

Tomato paste contains substances such as mono- and disaccharides, starch, and organic acids. This product is enriched with vitamins A C, PP, group B. Of the mineral elements in tomato paste there is a large amount of potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, iron and calcium are found.

Calorie content of the product is 100 kcal per 100 g of paste. Protein is about 5 g, carbohydrates - 19 g.

What is useful tomato paste

General benefit

The beneficial properties of tomato paste are due to the presence of many vitamins in its composition. Vitamin C is the main antioxidant, it is involved in strengthening the immune system. Beta-carotene in combination with ascorbic acid increases resistance to stress. Thiamine, which is a representative of B vitamins, improves metabolism, protects the body from gaining excess weight. Also, a person needs this vitamin for the normal functioning of the digestive and cardiovascular systems.

It is worth noting that in tomato paste there is the largest amount of lycopene. It is due to them that tomatoes have such a color. These substances prevent the formation of cancer cells.

For women

Lycopene is a pigment of natural origin. It has excellent antioxidant properties. As already mentioned, it is able to protect against the development of cancer. Therefore, the product’s health benefits for women include the prevention of cervical diseases. In addition, this component has a beneficial effect on the skin. To preserve youth and beauty of the skin for a long time, it is enough to consume about 50 g of tomato product every day.

For men

The beneficial effect of tomato production is the ability to calm, eliminate nervous tension and protect against stressful diseases. The paste is involved in neutralizing the effects of radioactive exposure, normalizes hormonal levels. Lycopene in tomato paste is useful for men in that it is the prevention of prostatitis.

During pregnancy

During the period of carrying the baby, it is recommended to include tomato paste in the diet, since this product has a rich vitamin and mineral complex. This contributes to the normal growth and development of the unborn child. In addition, the product protects the body of a pregnant woman from the occurrence of vitamin deficiency. During pregnancy, tomato paste is also useful in that it normalizes the functioning of the digestive system, preventing constipation.

When breastfeeding

During lactation, a woman can also consume tomato paste in moderation, but it is recommended to introduce it into the diet no earlier than three to four months after the birth of the baby. Experts advise to cook such a product at home on their own, because this is the only way to control environmental cleanliness.

In any case, when adding paste to the menu, you should monitor the condition of the child. If the baby has signs of allergy, the product should be excluded. Any negative reaction in the form of a rash, colic, allergies can occur in a couple of days, so after the first use it is important to monitor the reaction of the child's body.

For kids

As for children, tomato paste is an allergenic product, so it is not recommended to give it to kids under three years old. After that, in small quantities, this product can be included in various dishes.

Do not use factory-made paste in the children's diet, as various additives may be present. The best option is a pasta made by yourself.

When losing weight

Tomato paste is allowed to be used in various diets, as it contains many vitamins and mineral elements, which are useful both for the whole organism and for the functioning of the digestive system. It helps to speed up metabolism. The paste itself can not get rid of extra pounds, it can only be used as an additive to dietary dishes.

Tomato paste in medicine

Tomato paste contains a large number of vitamins, minerals and trace elements that have a positive effect on the human body. There are negative properties of this product. The benefit of the paste depends on the quality of the components in the manufacture, as well as the technologies used.

With diabetes

A disease such as diabetes does not imply a ban on the use of fresh tomatoes and pasta based on them. Tomato paste is very nutritious, has a low calorie content, is absorbed slowly and does not lead to an increase in blood sugar. However, it is necessary to use it in a small amount.

Important: the glycemic index of tomato paste - 45 units.

With pancreatitis

The acute form of pancreatitis is a contraindication to the use of tomato paste. This is especially true for the product, in the manufacture of which various preservatives were used. A self-made paste with the addition of natural ingredients in small quantities can sometimes be included in the diet.

With gastritis

Tomato paste contains organic acids that irritate the gastric mucosa, which leads to an increase in acidity. Heartburn may occur. Therefore, the use of this product is contraindicated in the presence of gastritis with high acidity.

With gout

Clinical nutrition can facilitate the course of various diseases. If gout does not occur in an acute form, tomato paste can improve the patient's condition. It can fully provide the body with important trace elements such as potassium, fluorine, iron, zinc. Natural tomato paste helps lower uric acid levels. In addition, it contains components with antioxidant properties.

For the liver

Tomato paste is to some extent beneficial for the liver. She is able to cleanse her of toxins and toxins. As a result, the load on the liver is reduced, metabolic processes are normalized.

With cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder. With this disease, a therapeutic diet is indicated, which is prescribed by the doctor taking into account the patient's condition. The use of tomato paste is contraindicated. Experts recommend eating fresh tomatoes or adding them to salads using other vegetables. It is worth noting that tomatoes have a choleretic effect, so you should not use them if there are stones in the gallbladder.

Tomato paste in cosmetology

Tomatoes used to make tomato paste are widely used in cosmetology. First of all, this is due to the presence of such a pigment in the composition of tomatoes as lycopene, which is a strong antioxidant. It is used to slow down the aging process of the skin. In addition, this pigment is able to improve complexion, moisturize dry skin. This substance is widely used in capsule form. For its beneficial properties, lycopene is even called "vegetable gold."

Also, the tomato contains retinol, which is responsible for the youthfulness of the skin, protects against inflammation. Zinc in its composition helps restore skin cells. Phytoncides contained in tomatoes have disinfecting properties and can relieve allergic rashes.

For face

1. Recipe for oily skin. If you have oily skin, you can use a recipe that will help narrow and clean the enlarged pores. To do this, you first need to cook tomato paste at home. 3 kg of ripe tomato, two sour apples and a head of onion skip through a juicer. The resulting mass should be wrapped in gauze and hang over the pan to stack the juice. The remaining mashed potatoes should be placed in a pan and add a little salt. Boil the pasta for 30 minutes over low heat, after which you should add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and boil for about 5 minutes. Tomato paste is ready, it will be much more useful than factory products. The main part can be rolled up in banks. And to use it as a cosmetic product, it is enough to apply the cooled mass to the skin and hold for 15 minutes. After that, the mask can be washed off with warm water.
2. Recipe for problem skin. Tomato paste is also used in the fight against acne. To do this, just mix one tablespoon of tomato paste and unsweetened yogurt and apply for 20 minutes to problem skin, then rinse with water at room temperature.
3. Recipe for dry skin. For dry skin, a mask is suitable using 1 tablespoon of paste and the same amount of fat sour cream. Popularly, such a mask is called "cashmere" due to its excellent moisturizing properties.
4. A recipe for any skin type. You can also prepare a mask with the addition of a large juicy tomato, a teaspoon of sour cream with an average percentage of fat content, as well as the yolk of one chicken egg in raw form. All these ingredients need to be mixed and applied to the face. The mask should be kept for about 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Such a mask will soften the skin, cleanse it of dead cells, restore normal functioning of the sebaceous glands and have a nourishing effect. You can perform this procedure several times a month. Suitable for oily and combination skin types, as well as black dots.

For hair

To prepare tomato paste, it is important to use vegetables from the garden as a hair mask, so that they are healthy, grown without any additives. When cooking, do not pour tomatoes over boiling water - this leads to the fact that many of the beneficial properties of the product are lost. Seeds should be removed immediately so that later they do not have to get them out of the hair. To quickly grind the paste, you can use a blender or mixer. Before using tomato paste masks, make sure that there is no allergy to this product.To do this, cut a small piece of tomato and attach it to your wrist for an hour. If there is no itching and redness, you can use a paste-based mask.

Before use, it is recommended to wash your hair and apply the product on clean hair. Procedures are carried out using tomato paste no more than 2-3 times a week.

1. For dry hair. To moisturize your hair, you need to make a tomato paste, add a small amount of potato starch and olive oil. The resulting mask should be applied to the hair and covered with polyethylene and a towel. Keep the composition for half an hour, and then rinse with water. Most girls note that hair becomes softer and silky as a result.
2. For healthy hair. To improve hair, you can use another mask. It will take a small amount of tomato paste, in which you need to add a couple of drops of essential oil. After that, on a fire, melt a little honey and add to the mixture. Apply the resulting mask to the scalp and hair along the entire length. After 40 minutes, rinse with room temperature water.
3. For hair growth. To speed up hair growth, you can also prepare a natural mask. To do this, you will need pasta, sweet pepper, lemon juice and a clove of garlic. All ingredients must be placed in a blender and chopped, adding lemon juice last. The resulting slurry must be rubbed into the roots of the hair. This procedure improves blood circulation and provides a regeneration process.

The use of tomato paste in cooking

Tomato paste is widely used in cooking. It is used as a seasoning for various dishes or an ingredient for sauce. Tomato products go well with rice, meat, pasta and vegetables. Pasta adds flavor to first courses.

It is worth noting that in the preparation of Italian pizza, natural tomato paste is used. It is on the quality of this ingredient that the taste of the finished product largely depends.

For example, you can cook pollock in tomato sauce. As you know, pollock is a diet fish that can be consumed with various diets, including diabetes, as it normalizes the level of glucose in the blood. To prepare such a dish, you need 3 pollock, carrots, one onion, a tablespoon of tomato paste, half a glass of flour, a tablespoon of vegetable oil and spices to taste.

Fish should be washed and dried. Chop the carrots and cut the onions into cubes. In the flour you need to add all the spices and mix. Shredded vegetables should be placed in a frying pan with oil and simmer over low heat. Fish cut into small pieces should be breaded in flour and sautéed in a pan, but not until cooked. Then lightly fried fish should be put in a deep bowl, spread the stewed vegetables on top. In a glass of boiled water, you need to dilute the tomato paste, add spices to it. This dressing must be filled with pollock. Stew the dish over low heat for about 20 minutes. Serve the finished side dish with mashed potatoes or pasta.

How can I replace tomato paste

Tomato paste can be replaced with fresh tomatoes. However, it should be remembered that pasta is a more concentrated product, so the taste of the finished dish is more vivid. If you use fresh tomatoes, grind vegetables and boil. This is necessary so that excess water from the liquid does not change the taste of the dish. Using fresh vegetables will give the dish a different taste, but it will be much more healthy.

When cooking borscht, you can use salted or pickled tomatoes. Those who like spicy use lecho or adjika.

Harm and contraindications

Tomato paste alone is not able to harm the human body. However, some manufacturers use various additives in the manufacture, which can do much harm. The list of such additives includes flavors, thickeners, preservatives to extend shelf life, etc. All these components make tomato paste cheaper, but there is no benefit from such a product. To purchase quality products, it is important to study the composition before buying. It is worth noting that it is better to abandon the paste, which has a long shelf life.

It is not recommended to use tomato paste for gastritis with high acidity, gastric ulcer, gallstone disease. Excessive consumption of this product leads to irritation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. This is due to the fact that the paste contains organic acids.

Contraindications to the use of tomato paste are diseases associated with a stomach ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer. Also, the product should be discarded in case of individual intolerance to the individual ingredients of the paste. Gout, arthritis and kidney stones are also an obstacle to the consumption of tomato paste. If you are allergic to red fruits and vegetables, the product should be discarded.

How to choose and store tomato paste

When buying tomato paste, it is recommended to choose a product in a glass bowl. This will visually assess the quality of the goods.

1. A quality paste should have a uniform, dense structure.
2. The color of the product should be reddish red. If the color is bright red, this indicates that the product contains dyes.
3. The bank should not have lumps or air bubbles.
4. Preservatives are not allowed in tomato paste to give the product a special taste and smell. It is important to study the composition of the paste before buying, it should contain only tomatoes and salt.

The shelf life for the product in glassware is two years. Metal packaging is able to preserve the beneficial properties of the paste throughout the year. If we are talking about aluminum packaging, then such a product is suitable for six months.

After opening the packaging, tomato paste can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 12-14 days. To extend the shelf life of a tomato product, you can pour a thin layer of oil on top.

Is it possible to freeze

Tomato paste can be stored in the freezer. The best option in this case is to store the paste in small portions. That is, you can take several small bags of polyethylene and put a couple of spoons of tomato product in each of them so that it is enough to prepare one dish. Ready-made bags should be wrapped and placed in the freezer. It is recommended to lubricate the inside of the bag with vegetable oil so that the paste does not freeze to the polyethylene. Silicone molds used to make ice can also be used for this purpose. Tomato paste can be stored in the freezer for three to four months.

How to make tomato paste at home

It’s not at all difficult to make tomato paste at home. You need to cook juicy, fleshy vegetables that have a dark red color. Tomatoes should be washed under running water and finely chopped, and then placed in dishes with a non-stick coating. Keep the container on low heat for about half an hour until the vegetables are soft. After the specified time, remove the mass from the fire, remove the peel and grind through a sieve. This procedure will remove seeds and various solid particles from the paste. After that, the mass will again be boiled over low heat for three hours, stirring regularly.

The result should be a paste-like mixture, which must be poured hot into sterilized glass jars, twisted, turned upside down and covered with a blanket for a day.If desired, salt, red pepper and a little garlic can be added to the paste.

How to make tomato paste ketchup

To get a tasty and healthy ketchup without any preservatives, it can be prepared at home from tomato paste. To do this, you need 400 g of tomato paste, two glasses of water, a teaspoon of salt, 3-4 teaspoons of sugar, a few cloves of garlic, a little dill, parsley, red and black ground pepper can be used from spices. You will also need a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Tomato paste should be placed in a pan and gradually add water until the desired consistency is obtained. After this, the dishes must be put on fire, pre-adding spices and sugar. The mass must be constantly mixed and make sure that it is not sprayed.

When the ketchup begins to boil, you can add finely chopped greens and chopped garlic. After this, cook the tomato product for another five minutes, add vinegar at the very end. If ketchup is not planned to be stored for a long time, you can refuse to use vinegar. After cooling, you can enjoy the taste of natural ketchup.

How to make tomato juice from tomato paste

Factory tomato juice is made from pasta. However, it may contain additives harmful to the body that improve the taste, smell and shelf life of the product. To get a healthy, natural tomato juice, you can prepare it yourself, using only tomato paste, water and salt. However, it is important to take high quality pasta. The resulting drink can be used in pure form or added to various soups, gravy and other dishes.

The recipe is quite simple. It is enough to mix tomato paste with purified cold water in a ratio of 1: 3. To get more liquid juice, it is enough to use a tablespoon of pasta in one glass of water. For a thicker juice, you can take 2-3 tablespoons of pasta in a glass of liquid. After this, the drink must be salted and optionally add spices to taste.

Interesting facts about tomato paste

1. Residents of Italian cities are the biggest lovers of tomato paste. So, every year they consume about 25 kilograms of tomato product per person.
2. Scientists have proven that tomatoes can slow down the aging process of the skin. This is provided by the pigment lycopene. Moreover, its greatest amount is observed not in fresh vegetables, but in pasta and in tomato juice.
3. The name "tomato" is of Italian origin and means "golden apples" in translation. This vegetable comes from South America, but the local population did not consider the product edible and did not consume it. When Europeans brought the tomato to their territories, they began to grow it as an ornamental plant. The Italians were the first to taste the vegetable. After that, the French began to call the vegetable an “apple of love”, explaining this by the fact that the fruits of this plant contain aphrodisiacs.

Tomato Paste Photo