Some of my fitness clients who can’t or prefer not to use supplements look for other natural ways to aid fat burning and, ultimately, weight loss. Tomato juice is coming up in conversation more frequently.
Heart health, cancer prevention, and skin health are great incentives to consume tomatoes in one form or another, including juice.
In light of this, I sat with our dietitian to discuss tomato consumption and its benefits for the body and weight loss.
Here is a quick read of our findings.
Quick Summary
- Tomatoes may stimulate the production of carnitine, a known fat burner.
- Many packaged tomato juice products contain added salt, which can be problematic if you are on a low-sodium diet.
- Tomatoes are low in calories and carbohydrates and high in calcium, vitamin C, and iron.
Tomato Juice and Weight Loss: Does It Help?
Tomato juice can help with weight loss because it may stimulate the production of carnitine, a known fat-burning amino acid.
Carnitine plays a crucial role in creating energy for cells and helping break down fatty acids for energy, an essential process if you are trying to burn belly fat and lose weight [1].
Another reason you should add tomatoes or their juice into your weight loss plan; tomatoes can make you feel full for the reasons listed below:
Tomatoes Are High In Fiber
Tomatoes are high in fiber which can make you feel fuller longer, potentially reducing your calorie intake.
When you feel full, you are less likely to snack or binge, two big pitfalls in many people’s attempts to lose weight [2].
Tomatoes Are Full Of Water
Tomatoes have a high water content that can also increase your feeling of fullness [3].
Foods, like tomatoes, with higher water content also help you stay hydrated as you implement a weight loss plan, significantly if you are upping your exercise time.
Hydration is essential because the kidneys tend to conserve water when we are dehydrated, which may lead to weight gain [4].
Tomatoes Are An Umami Food
Umami is a Japanese term that means savory or meaty.
Umami is on the list of the five primary flavors the taste buds recognize, the others being sweet, salty, sour, and bitter [5].
This savory taste comes from the glutamic acid content in tomatoes which increases as the fruit ripens [6].
Research suggests that umami has a metabolic effect and increases satiety, another way tomatoes make you feel full [7].
“Aside from digestion, umami-rich foods may have potential health benefits. For instance, studies show that they’re more filling. Thus, choosing more umami-rich foods may aid weight loss by curbing your appetite.’
-Ryan Raman, MS, RD.
Other Health Benefits
We have established you should include tomatoes in a weight loss diet, but the abundance of nutrients makes them an excellent choice in any healthy diet.
Besides being a low-carb, low-calorie food that may help burn belly fat, it offers many other health benefits [8].
Here are some of the health benefits:
- Antioxidant properties: Tomatoes are exceptionally high in beta-carotene and lycopene content that keep the immune system working and strong.
- Digestive Enhancer: they are a rich source of fiber and has mild laxative properties
- Heart-friendly: they boost heart health, including lowering blood pressure, by being rich in b-carotene, lycopene, and vitamins C and E.
- Detoxifying agents: they help the body flush out fat-soluble toxins, and the sulfur and chlorine content is good for the liver and kidneys. Detoxifying also aids the urinary system and helps avoid kidney stones.
- Cholesterol-friendly: The fiber helps break down LDL cholesterol, and the niacin benefits high cholesterol levels.
- Eye Health Enhancer: Beta-carotene, vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin protect from age-related eye problems.
- Workout recovery booster: Tomatoes contain essential chemicals that aid the recovery of muscles and blood levels after high-intensity (think burning belly fat) exercise.
How Much Tomato Juice Is Healthy?
There is no recommendation on how much tomato juice is healthy.
Replacing sugary drinks with this nutrient-dense juice is a great way to boost fat burning and health. One study suggests one cup daily is enough to burn belly fat [9].
There are a couple of considerations for tomato consumption in any form.
Some tomato juices are high in sodium which can be problematic for some people. Label reading is vital here; look for brands that offer 100% tomato with no added sodium.
The same holds if you prefer to reap the benefits by eating tomato soup,
Added sugars can be a problem for people with certain health conditions like diabetes or those who are losing weight. Looking for products that are 100% tomato with no additional sugars or making your own at home is the best practice.
FAQs
When Should I Drink Tomato Juice For Weight Loss?
You should drink tomato juice for weight loss on an empty stomach as soon as you get up in the morning.
Is Tomato Juice High In Sugar?
Tomato juice is not high in sugar, especially compared to other vegetable and fruit juices. Look for juice that contains 100% tomatoes with no additional sugars, or you can make your own at home.
So, Should You Drink Tomato Juice to Lose Weight?
The formula for weight loss is to burn more calories than you consume. Tomatoes can make you feel fuller, which minimizes snacking and binging.
Incorporating this nutrient-dense juice into your diet is an excellent step toward weight loss; add a consistent exercise routine, and you’re almost there.
Finally, we recommend supplementing with an all-natural fat burner formulated to shred fat.
Do all these three things, and you will burn calories, shred fat, and be on your way to achieving your body goals.
References:
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/l-carnitine#types
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29151813/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320603
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4588746/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/umami-foods
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24944058/
- https://food.ndtv.com/health/tomato-juice-benefits-from-improving-digestion-to-boosting-eye-health-and-more-1837819
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899900714005024
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