Vine ripened tomatoes are always best. Buy in season during the summer growing season.

You want to avoid hothouse tomatoes as hothouse tomatoes are usually picked green before shipping. Then, they are gassed to make them red.

Tomatoes are actually a fruit even though most think of them as a vegetable. As a result, tomatoes are best drunk alone.

I personally don't drink tomato juice as I like to combine my vegetables. But for those that like tomato juice, then feel free to juice your tomatoes.

It is important to note that there is a tremendous difference between raw and cooked tomatoes. Cooked tomatoes produce oxalic acid, similar to spinach, and as such can leech the body of minerals such as calcium.

On the other hand, raw tomatoes is said to be cleansing for the body, especially the liver and is said to help stimulate circulation.

Here's a funny story for those that like funny and historical stories like myself!

Tomatoes leaves are actually poisonous. For the longest time, people in North America would not eat tomatoes thinking that if the leaves are poisonous, then so must be the fruit. However, a man traveled to Italy and saw everyone eating tomatoes to his surprise! Shocked with what he saw, he traveled back to North America and began selling crushed tomatoes as an elixir. The belief being that if the leaves are poisonous, but the fruit isn't, then it must help make you healthy. Today, this tomato elixir is known as ketchup.

Properties:

Energy: cold
5 Elements: wood,earth
5 Flavors: sour,sweet

General Information:

Nothing to report.

Cautions & Suggestions:

Traditionally, Chinese herbalists suggest tomatoes are to be eaten first thing in the morning to relieve hypertension and bloodshot eyes.

Benefits:

Photo by Peggy Greb.

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You can read and view questions that have been asked in my juicing questions and answers section.

1. How important is a slow speed juicer compared to fast speed?
2. Are There Harmful Side Effects To Juicing One Type of Juice Daily?
3. My Husband Got A Stomach Ache From His Juice?
4. How Can I Store Vegetables?
5. Is a pint of juice too much?
6. Is It Okay To Mix Apples With Vegetable Juice?
7. Blanching vegetables before freezing
8. What Vegetables or Fruits Can Help With Soft Stools or Diarrhea?
9. Why are only apples the only fruit that can be mixed with vegetables while juicing?
10. How much juice should I drink?