Tomato Juice can Ward Off Osteoporosis- study

by neha gupta -

Two glasses of tomato juice a day keeps osteoporosis risk at bay, according to a recent research conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada.
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Two glasses of tomato juice a day keeps osteoporosis risk at bay, according to a recent research conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada.

Consuming tomato juice on a regular basis can prevent osteoporosis, a bone ailment leading to an increased risk of fractures, by strengthening bones.

Lycopene, an antioxidant contained in the fruit is believed to be the key ingredient behind the process.

Lycopene has been earlier known to reduce the risk of prostate cancer [abnormal cells that divide without control, which can invade nearby tissues or spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. ] and heart diseases in men.

The study details
The study, aimed to find the role of tomato juice in preventing osteoporosis, looked at 60 post-menopausal women aged between 50 to 60 years.

The participants were asked not to take any tomato product for 30 days.

Cutting out all tomato products from their diet led to a steep increase in their level of N-telopeptide, a chemical produced on breaking of bones.

They were further instructed to consume a daily dose of tomato juice for a period of 4 months.

The dosage included either 15mg of lycopene, 35mg of lycopene, lycopene capsules or dummy capsules.

Women taking any one of the lycopene products along with the juice reported a significant decrease in their N-telopeptide levels.

However, no such benefit was witnessed in the ones taking the dummy capsules.

According to the researchers, standard market juice was found to be as beneficial as the lycopene-enriched one.

"Tomatoes not only contain high levels of carotenoid antioxidants [compounds that protect against cell damage inflicted by molecules called oxygen-free radicals, which are a major cause of disease and aging.] such as lycopene, but also serve as a significant source of vitamin C, fiber and potassium in the American diet," said Kristin Reimers, Ph.D., nutrition manager, ConAgra Foods.

A little about Lycopene
Lycopene is a red colored carotene and carotenoid pigment commonly found in red fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, watermelons and papayas, pink grapefruit, pink guava, red bell pepper, seabuckthorn and wolfberry.

Tomato products like tomato-based sauces, juices, and ketchup account for almost 85 percent of the total lycopene consumption for most of us.

As the nutritional content of lycopene is not reduced on cooking of tomatoes, tomato products like a tomato paste are much more lycopene concentrated than raw tomatoes.

Lycopene is known to neutralize the growth of harmful radicals leading to several cancers like pancreatic cancer, colon [The part of the large intestine that runs from the cecum to the rectum as a long hollow tube that serves to remove water from digested food and let the remaining material, solid waste called stool, move through it to the rectum and leave the body through the anus. ] and rectum [lower end of the large intestine, leading to the anus.] , esophagus, oral cavity, breast, and cervix cancer besides heart diseases, macular degeneration and other age-related illnesses.