Tomato juice - Definition and Overview

Tomato juice is a juice made from squeezed tomatoes. It is usually used as a beverage, either plain or in cocktails such as a Bloody Mary.

It is the official state beverage of Ohio [1] (http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/beverage/oh_beverage.htm)

Health issues

1 fluid ounce (30 mL) of tomato juice provides the following:

A recent small scale study has indicated that tomato juice contains a factor (dubbed P3) which inhibits platelets in blood from clumping together and forming blood clots. [2] (http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/292/7/805)[3] (http://www.rowett.ac.uk/press/pr09.00-tomato.html). The authors suggest this might be beneficial to diabetes sufferers. The actual effect of increased intake of tomato juice by diabetics has never been studied.

Tomato juice also contains the antioxidant lycopene which some people believe might protect against cancer.

Uses of tomato juice

Apart from the obvious use as a beverage, tomato juice's mild acidity means that it can be used to clean up old coins or metal saucepans in much the same way as other acidic substances such as Coca Cola are used.