Tomato juice: benefits and harm to the body

Tomatoes or tomatoes (in fact, this is the same thing, just the words have different linguistic origin) are berries, but we are used to consider them vegetables. Europeans do consider them fruits. The study of tomatoes began in the 19th century. Since that time, various varieties and types have appeared, and tomatoes have become an integral part of the diet of almost every person.

Tomato juice has many valuable qualities. It contains various vitamins, macro- and microelements, acids of organic origin, enzymes, volatile, 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 a one hundred percent natural drink. In fact, two types of tomato product are known: freshly squeezed juice and reconstituted beverage from a concentrate.

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

The second type is divided into three varieties:

1. The first is concentrated juice. For its manufacture, the liquid part of freshly squeezed tomato juice is reduced eight times during boiling. It has a liquid consistency.
2. The second type is also known when juice is obtained from tomato paste. In this case, tomatoes are boiled 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 texture of such a drink is most similar to freshly squeezed.

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

Composition and calorie content

Tomato juice has an impressive composition. It contains mineral elements, vitamins and other healthy substances.

1. Tomato juice contains vitamin A, which is responsible for the beauty of hair and skin, enhances immunity.
2. Vitamin E, contained in tomato juice, slows down the aging process in the body, has an antioxidant property, as a result of which the risk of developing cancer is reduced.
3. Representatives of B vitamins are also found in tomatoes. They ensure the normal functioning of the nervous system, restore the psycho-emotional state of a person.
4. Ascorbic acid strengthens the protective membrane of the body, which prevents harmful substances from penetrating into organs and systems. It is worth noting that the content of vitamin C in tomato juice is as high as in citrus.
5. Of the trace elements in tomato juice, substances such as Fe, I, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn are contained.
6. Macronutrients in the composition of the product are P, Na, K, Mg, S, Ca.
7. Tomato juice contains some organic acids - it is malic, citric, tartaric, and also succinic.
8. Natural sugars such as glucose and fructose are found in the product.

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

Such a rich composition of the product indicates its beneficial 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 calorie content of tomato juice is low - only 15-20 kcal per 100 g of drink. Due to this, the product belongs to the diet and is often prescribed to those who are struggling with excess weight.

What is tomato juice good for?

General benefit

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

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

Tomato juice contributes to weight loss, strengthens the immune system, participates in hematopoiesis. Also, a 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 a woman not only get rid of extra pounds, but also slow down the aging process, improve the condition of skin, nails and hair. For external use, the tomato product has a drying property, it reduces the synthesis of sebum, so with acne and seborrhea it has a pronounced effect.

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

If you drink 1-2 liters of juice weekly, the woman’s body will be protected from the development of cervical cancer, a tumor in the mammary gland and ovaries.

For men

The benefits of tomato juice for men's health is to normalize the functioning of the prostate and prevent the development of inflammatory and oncological diseases. This is ensured by vitamins A and E, which are the building material 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 also improves the quality of the ejaculate. Zinc and selenium in the juice are responsible for this.

Men are more susceptible to stress, they often develop heart attack and stroke, so tomato juice must be present in the diet of a strong half of humanity. After all, with the regular use of a vegetable drink, the man’s body becomes stronger, the work of all organs and systems is being established.

Smokers are usually deficient in B vitamins. You can make up for it with tomato juice.

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

During pregnancy

If a pregnant woman does not have any contraindications, tomato juice can bring great benefits to her body. The beneficial properties of the product for toxicosis are known. 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. You can often hear that a pregnant woman wants tomato juice. This is due to the fact that the body is trying to replenish all the necessary substances.

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

When breastfeeding

During lactation, tomato juice is allowed 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. You can enter such a treat no earlier than the period when the baby is three months old. After drinking the juice, it is important to monitor the reaction of the child. If loose stools, rashes or colic appear, you should discard such a drink for a while.

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

For kids

Tomato juice is also useful in childhood. It strengthens the immunity of the child, reduces his moodiness, overwork, relieves constipation and bloating. Also, juice is able to increase hemoglobin, improve metabolic processes.

It is not recommended to give the product in its pure form to children under the age of three. The tomato product should be introduced into the children's menu gradually, in small portions, be sure to add other vegetables. For example, it is worth starting with a small spoonful of juice, which can be used to season a child’s soup or soup.

Children over three years old can drink tomato juice several times a week, 100-150 ml. But for the first time, 50 ml will be enough. If after this there are no digestive disorders and allergies, after 1-2 days you can give the baby juice again, slightly increasing the volume.

Is packaged tomato juice healthy?

Before buying packaged tomato juice, it is important to study its composition. If the package indicates that the direct spin cycle, direct spin cycle extraction or recovery procedure was used in the manufacture, this indicates that upon receipt of such a drink all the necessary processing was carried out. This product does not contain aromatic and coloring components, as well as preservatives. The presence of pulp and clarification of the drink does not affect the quality of the product.

Various nectars, fruit drinks based on tomato juice contained in packages can harm the human body, since the natural part in such a product occupies only 50%, and then from bona fide manufacturers. The rest is given to sugar syrup, citric acid, salt and various preservatives.

Packaged tomato juice is a rather dubious product, since you cannot be sure that only tomatoes were used in the production. Whether or not to drink such a drink, everyone decides for himself. But most nutritionists recommend abandoning their use.

The benefits of tomato juice with salt

Some are used to drinking tomato juice, adding salt to it. However, it must be remembered that those who salt this drink, with their own hands, kill most of the beneficial components contained in tomatoes. This may not harm the body, but will significantly reduce the benefits of the product.

Can I drink tomato juice while losing weight

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

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

This method of losing weight is allowed to be used if there are no contraindications. Before using such a diet, consult a nutritionist.

Tomato juice in medicine

A substance such as lycopene was found in tomatoes. It has an antioxidant property. This component is designed to slow down the aging process, restoring cellular tone. Also, lycopene inhibits the development of tumor cells in the initial stages. Three acids that are contained in tomato juice take part in this process: malic, oxalic and succinic.

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

Due to the large number of minerals in its composition, the tomato product normalizes the water-salt balance, facilitates the process of removing kidney stones.

With diabetes

Low-calorie tomato juice has the ability to lower blood glucose and stimulate metabolism. All these beneficial properties of the product are important for people with diabetes. With this disease, the drink is able to have a healing effect on the patient, to improve his well-being.

If there are no contraindications, with this pathology, a tomato product is recommended to be consumed within three months. After this, you need to take a break in two weeks and repeat the course again. In this case, the daily dose of the drink should be no more than 500 ml. Drink juice should be 60 minutes before meals.

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

With pancreatitis

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

Drinking undiluted juice in chronic pancreatitis is possible only if seizures have not occurred within a few months.

With gastritis

Gastritis is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which leads to various disorders in the body. With this pathology, a serious approach to nutrition is required. During periods of exacerbation of the disease, the number of products is limited, during remission, it increases slightly.

Tomato juice has an antimicrobial effect, which positively affects the work of the digestive tract. Due to the choleretic and diuretic properties, toxins are removed from the body and rotting processes are prevented.

Gastritis with high acidity suggests a ban on the use of tomato juice. You should not drink such a drink during an exacerbation of the disease.

During remission, as well as gastritis with low acidity, tomato juice can be consumed in small quantities. At the same time, it is important that the product is fresh, does not contain salt and various additives. The drink stimulates the production of gastric juice. Therefore, it is important to comply with the norm, which is not more than 250 ml per day.

For the intestines

The beneficial properties of tomato juice affect the intestines. This product has anti-inflammatory properties, normalizes intestinal motility.Also, tomato juice reduces the fermentation processes in the body, reduces the risk of flatulence and is a prophylactic for constipation.

For constipation

Tomato juice is characterized by a laxative effect, so it is recommended to use it in the formation of constipation, including in chronic form. The product stimulates the digestion process, enhances intestinal motility, due to which the stool softens, and the process of their elimination is simplified.

Diarrhea can develop from drinking tomato juice. This occurs when the daily rate is not respected. Even if you have prolonged constipation, you should not drink more than five glasses of juice per day.

The product is contraindicated in case of diarrhea, since in doing so it will only irritate the intestinal mucosa more strongly. This will only exacerbate an already unpleasant situation. Cramps in the digestive tract, bloody diarrhea, heartburn, and dehydration may occur.

With gout

During the acute course of the disease, as well as with the advanced stage of gout, tomato juice is prohibited. Since oxalic acid is present in tomatoes, this interferes with the process of removing uric acid salts from the joints.

In periods of remission in a small amount, you can include tomato juice in the patient's diet. And even better, if it will not be used in its pure form, but as an additive, for example, in soup.

With colitis

If colitis is detected, only freshly made home-made tomato juice is allowed. The purchased product may contain dyes and various preservatives that may harm the injured gastrointestinal tract. It is worth noting that with this disease, it is necessary to dilute the juice with boiled water, otherwise the intestines will be slowed down.

Tomato juice in case of colitis will be a good tool that will stimulate the intestines and also protect against the possible occurrence of cancer. Drink such a drink before meals, without adding salt.

For the liver

As you know, a tomato product has a choleretic property, liquefies bile and stimulates its excretion. Therefore, the drink can be used for various liver pathologies, but only with the permission of the attending physician. Tomato juice can be consumed even with cirrhosis, since the product ensures the functioning of the organ, normalizes the state of the blood vessels of the liver and protects against the development of hepatosis.

For the treatment of liver diseases, it is recommended to drink one glass twice a day. If this dose is exceeded, side effects may occur. Acids in the juice when ingested in a large volume can disrupt the absorption of nutrients. This can cause hepatosis.

With hemorrhoids

Tomato juice is useful in that it contains almost all the health-important elements that may be contained in plant foods. Tomatoes are characterized by antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, are a natural antioxidant. Due to this, with the regular use of tomato juice, the likelihood of hemorrhoids decreases, if such a disease already exists, the product can cure it.

Tomato drink prevents the process of decay in the intestine 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, blood vessels are restored.

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

With cholecystitis

During an exacerbation of cholecystitis, it is impossible to drink juice based on tomatoes. During a period of persistent remission, you can drink a drink.It contains a lot of pectin, it invigorates, gives a feeling of fullness and has a tonic effect. If you prepare the juice at home, add a small amount of olive oil, a little parsley into it, you get a complete dish for those who must follow a diet.

Drink tomato juice should be in the form of heat, without the addition of salt and sugar. The use of cold food with cholecystitis can lead to spasm of the biliary tract and cause severe pain.

With hypertension

Tomato juice is able to lower blood pressure, while improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system, thinning the blood and eliminating edema. The product also prevents the development of nervous tension, which can cause an increase in pressure. A couple of glasses of juice per day will help to normalize blood pressure.

In case of poisoning

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

In acute poisoning, the inclusion of a tomato product in the diet is allowed only after five days from the onset of the disease. In this case, drink no more than one glass.

With a hangover

Tomato juice can be used to get rid of the symptoms of a hangover. To do this, you must follow a few rules. After waking up, you must first drink a glass of water and only then use the drink. Such a procedure will help to remove the manifestations of intoxication and speed up the process of removing the processed products from the body.

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

Tomato juice in cosmetology

Regular application of masks based on tomato juice prevents the development of wrinkles and the appearance of age spots. Mixtures for the face with a tomato drink contribute to smoothing the skin, cleansing. The product allows you to bleach and clean it, make it fresh.

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

For face

To get rid of white acne, you should wipe the tomato face with freshly squeezed juice. In this case, rubbing tomato juice, in which you need to add a little glycerin, will also help.

In case of oily skin, you should collect the juice of one tomato and wipe the face skin with it, moistening a napkin. You can also make a compress. Keep this mask for half an hour. As it dries, the cloth should be moistened, at the end remove 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 treated mixture must be applied for 15-20 minutes, then removed with warm water.

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

For aging skin, it is recommended to prepare a mask by mixing the juice of ripe tomato, a tablespoon of honey and twice as much grape juice. All components must be mixed until a creamy mass is obtained. Apply the mask for 10-15 minutes, then remove 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 clove of garlic and bell pepper must be thoroughly mixed in a blender until smooth, and then add a teaspoon of lemon juice.Mass should be rubbed into the roots of the hair, after which the head should be insulated and washed off after 30–35 minutes.

You can prepare a nourishing hair mask. To do this, you need the juice of one tomato, a teaspoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of starch. All ingredients must be mixed and applied to the scalp and hair over the entire length. The head should be insulated and kept in this form for about 40 minutes. Wash off with warm water using shampoo. This will help restore healthy shine to your hair.

With a greasy hair type, a mask using the juice of two small tomatoes and half a teaspoon of lemon juice will help. Mix these components, after which the finished mixture is rubbed into the roots and applied to the strands. Insulate hair and keep for half an hour. After this time, rinse off the tomato mask with slightly warm water.

Harm and contraindications

First of all, tomato juice is not recommended for 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, juice should be drunk about half an hour before meals. In order not to harm the body, it is important to drink this drink correctly. So, you should not combine the product with food that is enriched with proteins.

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

If a person has a tendency to frequent indigestion, you need to 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 careful use of this product, since tomatoes have a choleretic property, in which case only surgery can help a person.

Tomato juice is a healthy and healthy food, however, it is important to comply with the norm and take into account the characteristics of the body.

How to choose and store tomato juice

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

Next, consider the composition of the drink. 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 juice. Otherwise, allergies or other side effects may occur. You should pay attention to the carbohydrate content in the juice. The lower this indicator, the less sugar it contains.

The packaging must be intact, labels with the date of manufacture must be clear, not sealed with other labels. It is better to choose juices with pulp. Such a drink is more useful.

There are two ways to store finished tomato juice. The first option is short-term storage, that is, at the same time, 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 must be boiled, sterilized jars with lids for further preservation. With this heat treatment, part of the beneficial properties of the drink is lost, but this allows you to extend the shelf life of the juice.

Is it possible to freeze

Tomato juice can be frozen.For this, glass and plastic bottles and jars, bags made of polyethylene and various forms for ice are used. When using bottles, it is important to remember that they should not be filled to the top. It is necessary to leave a little free space so that when freezing the liquid there is much to expand. For such a storage method, it is recommended to use containers of such a volume that, after defrosting, they consume everything at once.

If you intend to store juice in bags, it is important to use new, dense products. They need to pour the right amount of drink and tie tightly. If necessary, you can use an additional package.

To freeze juice in silicone or metal molds, their preliminary lubrication is not required. In this case, you also need to leave a little space without adding the drink to the edges of the container.

How to drink tomato juice

In order 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 gastric mucosa and lead to gastritis. It is recommended to use it 30 minutes before a meal. This will allow the juice to absorb better, and also helps the absorption of food.

You should not drink the drink with food and after eating. The product is suitable for snacks between meals. This will get the most benefit.

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

How much can I drink per day

Normally, 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.

Can I drink at night and on an empty stomach

Before going to bed, you should not drink tomato juice, since the product is able to increase the acidity in the stomach, which leads to stimulation of the digestion process. At night, the body must rest, so all processes in it slow down. As a result, a 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 eating, but it is not recommended to do this in the morning on an empty stomach. As already mentioned, acids in the composition of the product have an irritating effect on the digestive tract. After waking up, it is recommended that you first drink a glass of clean water and only then use a tomato drink.

Is it possible to drink vodka with tomato juice

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

How to make tomato juice: recipes

Making juice from tomatoes is very simple. There are many recipes for such a drink. To obtain such a product, it is not necessary to use beautiful ripe vegetables. Even slightly spoiled tomatoes can be used. Crumpled and even slightly burnt tomatoes will not degrade the taste of the finished drink. It is only necessary to cut out the damaged parts. It is also important to consider the variety of tomatoes. For juice, species with thin skin and juicy pulp are suitable.

From tomato

To make tomato juice, you will need the vegetables themselves, salt with sugar to taste, lavrushka and 9% vinegar (based on one tablespoon per jar). First you need to rinse the vegetables in cool water, remove the stalks, if the fruits are large, you can cut them into small parts. Next, pass the tomatoes through a meat grinder or juicer. Collect the resulting juice in a saucepan, which subsequently put on medium heat.Fill the drink with sugar and salt, cook for 15–20 minutes from the moment of boiling. Pour the finished product into cans, roll up the lids and leave for some time at room temperature. Further storage is carried out in a cool place.

From tomato paste

In order to get juice from tomato paste, you only need 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 pasta in water and season with spices. If you need to get a drink with a thicker consistency, 2-3 cups of tomato paste can be used in a glass of liquid.

Tomato juice for the winter

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

Cook tomatoes for 6–8 minutes. After that, separate the peel from the pulp of the fruit. Place cooled vegetables on a sieve and squeeze. You can get juice using various household appliances. Usually it turns out about 7 liters of juice, it must be poured into a saucepan and boiled, adding salt and sugar and bay leaf. Boil the drink over medium heat for 15 minutes. During this time, prepare cans and lids. Without turning off the stove, pour liquid into cans and roll up. Such natural juice will retain its beneficial properties until spring.

Tomato Juice Soup Recipe

Tomato juice can be added to summer soup. The dish turns out tasty, satisfying and at the same time very light. To prepare it, you will need several ripe tomatoes, a liter of tomato juice, two onions, bell pepper, a couple of potatoes, spices, as well as sour cream. These ingredients make a delicious first course.

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

1. Next, put the dishes with juice on the fire and bring the drink to a boil. After that, add vegetables, salt and spices to the container to taste and bring to a boil again. Then reduce the heat and simmer the dish for about 15 minutes on the stove.
2. Fry onion into cubes in oil until golden brown and add to the saucepan with soup. If desired, the dish can be chopped in a blender to obtain a soup puree.
3. After 15 minutes, add 0.5 cups of sour cream to the soup and mix thoroughly the whole mass. It remains only to chop greens, fresh onions and sprinkle each serving of soup. Serve the dish with garlic croutons.

How to make tomato juice ketchup

You can get ketchup from tomato juice. To do this, you need 150 ml of a tomato drink, two tablespoons of sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Spice lovers can add a mixture of dried herbs.

Sugar should be poured into the pan and put on a small fire. When the whole mass has melted, pour 2/3 of the tomato drink into the container. It's okay if at the same time some of the sugar hardens, when heated, it then melts again. Then add salt and pepper, if desired, and other spices. After this, cook the mixture for 6–8 minutes until it thickens. Ketchup is ready, it can be served with fish or potatoes.

Why drink tomato juice on the plane

On the plane, 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 thirty percent change in the taste of all dishes, including sugar and salt.

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

Interesting facts about tomatoes

1. For the first time, tomatoes began to be grown by the Aztecs in the eighth century. They called them "tomato", which translated from their language meant "big berries." In Europe, culture appeared in the 16th century.
2. For a long time, tomatoes were considered poisonous, but in the 19th century one of the soldiers ate a bucket of these fruits at the courthouse. When others noticed that he was not feeling ill, they began to use the product as food.
3. Today, there are about 10 thousand varieties of this plant. There are vegetables of red, yellow color, and there are black tomatoes.
4. For a long time they could not determine the biological origin of tomatoes. Botany classifies tomatoes as berries. In the USA at the end of the 19th century they began to be called vegetables, explaining that even if they come from seeds, like all berries and fruits, they cannot be used as dessert and eat raw. And already at the beginning of the 21st century, the European Union decided that tomatoes are fruits.
5. The largest number of tomatoes is grown in China.
6. In one of the American states, the largest tomato was obtained, which weighed almost 3 kilograms.
7. In Spain, the last week of summer is considered a tomato festival. During this period, a large number of tourists visit the country to take part in a battle in which tomatoes are weapons.
8. A century ago, tomatoes were used as an ornamental plant.

Photo of tomato juice