A recent study published in Food Science & Nutrition found that drinking unsalted tomato juice improved blood pressure and cholesterol in Japanese adults who were at risk of developing heart disease.
The research was conducted in Kuriyama, Japan, and evaluated local residents over a one-year period. Participants were scanned for cardiovascular risk markers before and after the study period, such as blood pressure and glucose tolerance.
The study evaluated 184 male and 297 female participants, ranging from age 21-74. Participants were provided with as much unsalted tomato juice as they wanted throughout the course of the study. They were then asked to record how much they drank, and share their intake with researchers every three months.
The researchers found that blood pressure dropped by about three percent on average in 94 participants with untreated pre-hypertension or hypertension. 125 participants with high levels of low-density lipoprotein (“bad”) cholesterol also experienced a 3.3 percent average decrease. These beneficial effects were similarly shown in both men and women and among varying age groups. The research authors note that this study is the first to investigate the link between tomato juice and cardiovascular disease risk markers throughout the course of a year and over a wide age range.
Along with its heart-protecting benefits, tomato juice has also been shown to support immune and muscle function. This bright beverage is also a great source of lycopene, which research has linked to improvements in skin health and cancer-fighting properties.
Explore more science-backed superpowers of your favorite juices with our Find Your Juice Match tool. To learn the many ways that 100% juice can improve your diet and lifestyle, check out our Health Benefits page.
