Tomato juice has the ability to reduce the tendency for blood to clot and may reduce calcium surges in a way somewhat similar to Verapamil.

In a study to examine blood cells clotting in a test tube, tomato juice exerted a more powerful effect than other foods tested. The anti-clotting mechanism of tomato is different from aspirin; tomatoes block the activity of thrombin, while aspirin blocks the thromboxane pathway.
(Abstract (cache))

In a study of diabetics who drank 250 ml (9 ounces) tomato juice each day for 3 weeks, platelet aggregation was significantly reduced. This is significant as diabetes is associated with platelet hyperreactivity, which contributes to cardiovascular disease. (abstract (cache))

A 2005 study suggested that lycopene in tomato juice may lead to inhibition of intracellular Ca+2 mobilization, by inhibiting phospholipase C and normalizatin of inositol metabolism. PMID:16194683 (cache) This suggests that daily consumption of tomato juice -might- have a preventive effect on clusterheadaches, although it has not been tested.

The lycopene and various carotenes in tomato juice have been shown to reduce the risk of a wide variety of cancers, and to reduce levels of inflammatory molecules like TNF. Lycopene has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.


There is no direct research that demonstrates that tomato juice can prevent cluster headaches, so this a second-string, unproven therapy. But you have to eat, and tomatoes have a variety of other health benefits.

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