V8 Juice vs. Tomato Juice — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Macronutrients and Calories

V8 and tomato juice differ in the distribution of various macronutrients. The quantities of nutrients they contain are shown and described below.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

V8 juice

2

:

3

Tomato juice

Contains more Carbs +16.7%

Contains more Fats +∞%

Equal in Protein - 0.85

Equal in Water - 94.24

Equal in Other - 1.09

V8 juice

Protein: 0.82 g

Fats: 0 g

Carbs: 4.12 g

Water: 93.9 g

Other: 1.16 g

Tomato juice

Protein: 0.85 g

Fats: 0.29 g

Carbs: 3.53 g

Water: 94.24 g

Other: 1.09 g

Contains more Carbs +16.7%

Contains more Fats +∞%

Equal in Protein - 0.85

Equal in Water - 94.24

Equal in Other - 1.09

Vitamins 

Tomato juice has a richer vitamin profile.

Tomato juice is an excellent source of vitamin C: it is more than two times higher in vitamin C (70.1mg per 100g) than V8 (29.6mg per 100g).

Tomato juice is also richer in B-complex vitamins, vitamin E and K, while V8 provides more vitamin A.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

V8 juice

1

:

10

Tomato juice

Contains more Vitamin A +82.9%

Contains more Vitamin E +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +136.8%

V8 juice

Tomato juice

Contains more Vitamin A +82.9%

Contains more Vitamin E +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +136.8%

Minerals

Tomato juice wins this section too. It is higher in copper, phosphorus, iron, and potassium.

V8 is higher in calcium and sodium.

You can check the mineral composition of these two juices in the chart below.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

V8 juice

1

:

9

Tomato juice

Contains more Calcium +60%

Contains more Iron +30%

Contains more Potassium +12.4%

Contains less Sodium -94.2%

V8 juice

Tomato juice

Contains more Calcium +60%

Contains more Iron +30%

Contains more Potassium +12.4%

Contains less Sodium -94.2%

Health Impact

Tomato juice with no added sugar is an excellent option for those who want to maintain heart health and prevent cancer. On the other hand, V8 has some drawbacks you should consider before using it.

Tomato juice contains a significant amount of lycopene, an antioxidant that reduces heart disease risks such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels (1). 

Research shows that people who consumed more tomato-made products had a lower risk of heart disease than those who used less tomato in their meals (2). 

Being a tomato-containing food product, tomato juice may prevent skin and prostate cancer development (3, 4).

Although V8 juice is a better option to get nutrients for those who use harmful drinks (soda, energy drinks) too much, it is not a complete replacement for vegetables you should use in your meal plan. Firstly, this juice is processed and pasteurized; thus, the heat can destroy many nutrients it should provide, such as enzymes, vitamins, and so on. Moreover, most of the fiber is removed during the preparation of V8. Additionally, V8 can contain added salt, thus having a high sodium content, which is a risk for the cardiovascular system.

References

1. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/carotenoids
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3710301/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5506060/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5107915/