Tomato juice is even healthier than previously thought. It has been found to protect against dangerous bacteria
We have good news for fans of tomato juice – apart from its beneficial properties that have been known for a long time, scientists have now discovered that drinking it has another advantage. It's about protection against dangerous bacteria that cause serious illness.
There are many ways to eat tomatoes, one of them is to drink the juice from this vegetable. Some people love it, others hate it, but it cannot be denied that it has a great impact on our health. It is a source of vitamins A, C and K, strengthens the immune system, and also prevents vision-related diseases. Additionally, tomato juice contains an important mineral – potassium, which helps maintain normal blood pressure and prevents cardiovascular diseases. This juice also has antioxidant properties.
Antibacterial properties of tomato juice
Tomato nutrients, including an abundance of beneficial compounds such as lycopene, polyphenols and vitamins, have long been extensively researched and linked by scientists to a variety of health benefits. Now, however, researchers from Cornell University have discovered that this seemingly ordinary drink can also be of great importance in the fight against harmful bacteria. The results of the study were described in “Microbiology Spectrum”. They indicate that the antibacterial properties of tomato juice can kill Salmonella typhi, the pathogen responsible for typhoid fever.
“Our main goal in this study was to check whether tomato and tomato juice can kill intestinal pathogens, including Salmonella typhi, and if so, what features do they have that make them work,” explained Prof. Jeongmin Song from Cornell University.
Tomato juice is effective in the fight against dangerous bacteria
A team of specialists led by Jeongmin Song from Cornell University examined the effect of tomato juice on the type of bacteria that often causes food poisoning. During the study, scientists tested four antibacterial peptides in freshly crushed tomato juice against Salmonella typhi. Two of the four peptides (tdAMP-1 and tdAMP-2) turned out to be effective in inactivating the pathogen – after just two hours they significantly reduced the pathogen's colony-forming units (compared to the control group). They were effectively eliminated by tomato juice within 24 hours.
The study provides valuable guidance for developing effective and sustainable health strategies using tomatoes and their derivatives, such as tomato juice. However, it should be remembered that for now these are only experiments, and no type of food or drink, including tomato juice, will work “miracles” on its own, so you should not “drink liters of it” in order to potentially protect yourself against bacteria. Rather, the study's findings should encourage people to consume tomatoes and tomato juice more often as part of a balanced diet. If you want to prepare such fresh juice yourself, check first which tomatoes you should throw away immediately, because they may be harmful to you.
