New publications
Tomato juice is an alternative to energy drinks
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Scientists have known about the benefits of tomatoes and tomato juice for a long time, tomatoes contain many nutrients and useful substances necessary for the body, recent studies by Greek doctors have proven the undeniable benefits that tomato juice brings to athletes. The Greeks are sure that fresh tomato juice can restore strength after training much more effectively and quickly than energy drinks that are so popular these days. A two-hundred-gram glass of tomato juice is enough to fully restore muscles after several hours in the gym.
In the process of studying the beneficial properties of tomato juice, experts monitored 15 athletes. For two and a half months, the athletes were under the supervision of doctors, who monitored changes in medical indications before, after and during training. During the experiment, 6 participants drank a glass of carbonated energy drink after a sports workout, and the remaining 9 - a glass of fresh tomato juice. After analyzing the data that was taken before and after training, scientists found that athletes who drank tomato juice recovered much faster. The level of harmful enzymes that are formed in the body due to damage to muscle tissue returned to normal in a matter of minutes. Also, after a glass of tomato juice, the level of glucose in the blood normalized.
Experts believe that the amazing restorative effect of tomato juice is due to the large amount of lycopene contained in fresh tomatoes. Lycopene is a bright pigment that gives ripe tomatoes their red color and is an isomer of beta-carotene. The main function of this substance when it enters the human body is antioxidant. Regular consumption of lycopene-containing products reduces oxidative stress and protects DNA, which can prevent oncogenesis.
The latest medical research confirms the undeniable benefits of lycopene for the human body. For example, it has now been established that products containing lycopene can have a preventive effect on oncological diseases. It has been proven that the risk of developing a cancerous tumor in the stomach, prostate or intestines directly depends on the amount of lycopene in the human body. Daily consumption of tomato juice or fresh tomatoes can reduce the likelihood of developing stomach cancer by 15%.
The restorative properties of tomato juice are also used in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Doctors believe that tomatoes and their derivatives (tomato juice, tomato paste, even tomato jam) can prevent heart disease in the elderly and old people. The risk of developing atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases is directly proportional to the amount of lycopene that enters the body daily with food.
Many nutritionists consider tomatoes and tomato juice essential for both athletes and people who care about proper nutrition. The Mediterranean diet, which is considered one of the most balanced diets, involves daily consumption of fresh tomatoes.