Fact Check: Can drinking tomato juice cure diabetes in 6 months to 1 year?

An Instagram post claims that drinking tomato juice can cure diabetes in 6 months to1 year. The claim by the user is FALSE.

Claim

An Instagram post claims that drinking tomato juice can cure diabetes in 6 months - 1 year. The reel by the user fried_moni is captioned "Home Remedy for Diabetes Sugar" The user in the reel says, "If someone has sugar, they can easily finish it that too in 6 months - 1 year. There is a remedy that I always ask my patients to follow. Take one tomato. Remove its seeds, cut it into small pieces and the tomato should be medium-sized. Grind these pieces with half a cup of water to make a thin, smooth mixture. Do not add anything to it no salt or any other ingredient." The user suggests that after drinking this mixture, do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes.

The reel has garnered 12.5 million views, 149,000 likes, 456 comments, and 180,000 shares and can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The Instagram post claiming that drinking tomato juice can cure diabetes in 6 months - 1 year is FALSE. Diabetes cannot be cured,only managed and There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to back the claim that drinking tomato juice can cure diabetes

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a long-term condition that arises when the pancreas produces insufficient insulin or when the body cannot use the insulin it produces efficiently. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, is a common outcome of poorly managed diabetes and, over time, can result in significant damage to various body systems, particularly the nerves and blood vessels.

What are the Types of Diabetes?

There can be different types of diabetes and WHO defines the condition of diabetes is classified into four major distinct types.

Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, results from insufficient insulin production, requiring daily insulin intake. In 2017, approximately 9 million people were affected, mainly in high-income countries. The exact cause and preventive measures remain unknown.

Type 2 diabetes affects how the body uses glucose for energy by impairing insulin function. This can lead to high blood sugar levels and, over time, can cause damage to nerves and blood vessels. It is often preventable, with risk factors including excess weight, lack of exercise, and genetics. Early detection through regular health check-ups and blood tests is crucial. Symptoms may develop slowly, often going unnoticed for years and only being diagnosed after complications arise. More than 95% of diabetes cases are type 2, once called non-insulin dependent or adult-onset diabetes, and it is now increasingly seen in children.

Another type of diabetes is Gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy and is marked by blood sugar levels higher than normal but not reaching diabetic thresholds. It increases the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications and raises the likelihood of type 2 diabetes later for both mother and child. Diagnosis is made through prenatal screening.

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) are conditions between normal blood sugar levels and diabetes. While they raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, progression is not certain.

Can Diabetes Be Cured?

Currently, there is no cure for diabetes but it is possible for most people to achieve diabetes reversal. This involves effectively managing blood sugar levels to the extent that medication is no longer needed and maintaining that state through a consistent routine of healthy eating and regular exercise.

What are the benefits of eating tomatoes?

Tomato juice is rich in antioxidants like lycopene, which supports heart health and may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Packed with essential vitamins such as A, C, and K, it promotes immunity, vision, and bone health. Its dietary fiber supports digestive wellness, while potassium content aids in regulating blood pressure. 

Can drinking tomato juice cure diabetes in 6 months - 1 year?

No, drinking tomato juice cannot cure diabetes within 6 months to 1 year. Tomatoes can be a valuable addition to a diabetes-friendly diet, supporting both diabetes management and reducing the risk of the condition. However, it is essential to understand that diabetes cannot be cured; it can only be effectively managed. Further, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim made by the user.

Tomatoes have been shown to potentially help reduce risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes A clinical trial published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition suggests that consuming tomatoes may help lower the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes.

Another study by Parisha Alam et. al. concluded that consuming fresh tomatoes may help prevent obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular dysfunctions by positively influencing the biochemical pathways linked to these conditions.

Tomatoes have been further recognized for their potential in managing diabetes-related complications, as highlighted in an article published in the International Journal of Food Properties It was reported in the article that tomatoes are beneficial for managing diabetic conditions by reducing diabetes-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, accelerated atherosclerosis, and tissue damage, including retinal, renal, and musculoskeletal damage.

Tomatoes are rich in nutrients that support overall health and may reduce risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes and also beneficial for managing the condition. However, it is important to note that diabetes cannot be cured; it can only be effectively managed.

The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team spoke with Dr Varun Suryadevara, Endocrinologist, Apollo Clinic Electronic City, MBBS MD Internal Medicine DM Endocrinology and he said, "Tomatoes are rich in fiber content, which help in slowing down of carbohydrate absorption. Tomatos also contain antioxidants which are helpful irrespective of the diabetes status. However, excess intake of tomato juice can worsen gastrointestinal issues and can increase potassium levels in patients with underlying kidney disease. Although tomato juice is helpful as a part of balanced diet for patients with diabetes mellitus, it does not cure diabetes. There is a lot of such misinformation in social media about miraculous cures for diabetes. People with diabetes should not fall into these traps. There are many plant products which have antihyperglycemic effects. These foods need to complement the lifestyle and medication plan. None of these herbal products has been shown in studies to cure diabetes. People with diabetes should follow the customized diet plan from their healthcare team to stay healthy."

Dr Akhil Krishna, Associate Consultant Endocrinology & Diabetes, KIMSHEALTH Trivandrum further explained, "Currently there is not treatment modality which can cure diabetes. But it can be effectively controlled with lifestyle modifications (like diet and exercise) and medications. In overweight and obese patients, if body weight can be reduced by lifestyle measures, it may be even possible to stop the diabetes medications. But if the patient regains weight, sugars will again rise. Tomato juice or any nutritional supplement is not a cure for diabetes. Tomato juice is a low glycemic index food, contains antioxidants and vitamins and can be included in the healthy diet plan."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The claim that drinking tomato juice can cure diabetes within 6 months to a year is false. While tomatoes provide health benefits and can aid in diabetes management, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the notion that they can cure diabetes.

Hence, the claim by the user is FALSE.