Drinking tomato-soy juice may help reduce chronic inflammation, a condition linked to several long-term diseases.
The study led by researchers at The Ohio State University published its findings in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, and it showed that the juice reduced blood levels of three markers associated with systemic inflammation in adults with obesity.
Researchers attributed the effect to two plant compounds found in high concentrations in the juice: lycopene and soy isoflavones. Both compounds have previously been linked to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The study involved 12 healthy adults with obesity who consumed two 6-ounce (177 ml) cans of tomato-soy juice daily for four weeks. After a washout period, the same participants drank a low-carotenoid control tomato juice for another four weeks.
Blood samples were collected before and after each phase to measure cytokines, inflammatory proteins produced by the immune system. Significant reductions in inflammatory markers were observed only after participants consumed the tomato-soy juice. No similar changes were recorded during the control juice phase.
Lycopene is the compound responsible for the red colour of tomatoes and certain other fruits and vegetables. Soy isoflavones are plant compounds that can mimic some actions of the hormone oestrogen. Both belong to a group of plant-based compounds known as phytochemicals.
Previous research at the university found that greater consumption of tomato-soy juice was associated with lower prostate-specific antigen levels in some men with prostate cancer. Other studies have also suggested that tomatoes and soy may influence inflammatory and metabolic processes linked to obesity and chronic diseases.
“Our hypothesis is that the tomato-soy juice may serve as an intervention to decrease inflammation and hopefully increase patients’ quality of life,” said Jessica L. Cooperstone, lead author of the study and associate professor of horticulture and crop science at The Ohio State University.
Researchers have also reported positive results in animal studies on chronic pancreatitis and are conducting a clinical trial to examine whether the juice can benefit people living with the condition.