Did You Know Tomato Ketchup Was Once Sold As A Medicine?
We think of ketchup as a condiment, right next to mustard on the dinner table. This red sauce adds a tangy twist to our fries and burgers. But what if we tell you that there was a time when doctors recommended ketchup as medicine?
That’s right, ketchup was once sold as a medicine. This popular condiment started its journey not as a companion to fast food. Ketchup was a condiment sold as a medicine, believed to treat ailments like indigestion and jaundice.
So, when was ketchup used as medicine? Let’s dive deep into this and understand how ketchup made this fascinating transition from medicine to food staple.
Why Was Ketchup Used As A Medicine?
If you are still confused and wondering, was ketchup used as medicine? The answer is yes!
The story of ketchup goes back to ancient China, where a fermented fish-based sauce called “ke-tsiap” was used. Fermented foods were considered to offer health benefits in traditional Chinese medicine. Originally, it was ketchup without tomatoes; instead, a ketchup recipe with anchovies, mushrooms, or walnuts was more popular. The original use of ketchup was as a fermented pungent sauce that could help enhance the flavors of dishes, similar to soy sauce today.
It was only in the early 1800s that tomatoes entered the scene, when scientist James Mease created the first tomato ketchup recipe. But people didn’t eat tomatoes back then, they were more for decorative use. However, this changed thanks to Dr. John Cook Bennett, who claimed tomato ketchup could cure digestive ailments.
Bennett promoted ketchup as medicine. He stated that tomatoes were loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. They also contained lycopene which was thought to benefit the stomach, cure indigestion, and even treat diarrhea. That is how ketchup was once sold as a medicine.
At the time, the tomato was gaining popularity in the United States, and Bennett’s claims quickly made tomato-based ketchup a sought-after product for medicinal purposes. That is when he introduced ketchup pills in the market.
People believed that the pills offered a way to boost their health and deal with common ailments. This made the ketchup pills so popular that many copy-cats started selling their own versions of these pills. However these copycats largely sold laxatives in the form of ketchup pills claiming to cure all sorts of problems. Due to this, ketchup’s medicinal value started to disappear as people questioned the validity of the health claims.
Decades later, in 1876, an American entrepreneur named Henry Heinz revolutionized ketchup by adding tomatoes, distilled vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and a variety of spices. This Heinz ketchup was an improved version of the original ketchup with a longer shelf life making its way as a household essential.
Today, Heinz ketchup remains the world’s leading ketchup brand with global availability across more than 200 countries. It is known for its iconic taste and “57 varieties” slogan.
This is the ketchup we know today that slowly transitioned into the culinary world as a flavoring rather than a remedy.
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Does Ketchup Have Health Benefits?
Today, ketchup isn’t typically regarded as a healthy food, but it does have some nutritional value. As per research, tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant linked to reducing the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
However, many modern ketchups contain high sugar and salt levels, which can counteract any benefits. A typical tablespoon of ketchup has about 4 grams of sugar and 160 mg of sodium, which isn’t ideal for a condiment eaten in quantity.
According to studies, ketchup does provide a dose of antioxidants and some vitamins when consumed in small amounts. Yet, it’s certainly not marketed as the medicinal marvel it once was.
While ketchup does contain essential nutrients from tomatoes, it’s mostly consumed for its flavor rather than its health benefits. Here’s a breakdown of the basic nutrition profile of ketchup as per the U.S Department of Agriculture:
- Calories: 15-20 per tablespoon
- Sugar: 3-4 grams per tablespoon
- Sodium: About 160 mg per tablespoon
- Antioxidants: Primarily lycopene
Is Ketchup Still Used as Medicine?
Was ketchup a medicine? Yes. There was a time when it was used as medicine but not anymore.
In modern times, ketchup isn’t seen as a medical cure, and you won’t find doctors prescribing it for digestive issues or any other ailments. So if you have an upset stomach and are wondering, does ketchup cure diarrhea? we’ll save you some time—the answer is no.
The claim that ketchup was once sold as a medicine is a historical curiosity now, and the product has now found its permanent place in the world of condiments.
Although its medicinal legacy has faded, ketchup does hold an interesting place in culinary history. Many people might be surprised to learn about its medicinal past, and it remains a fun fact that this popular condiment was once sold as a medicine in the 19th century.
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Interesting Facts About Ketchup
- Some people are afraid of ketchup. This unusual phobia is called Mortuusequusphobia and Individuals with this phobia often have extreme and severe reactions to the sign and smell of ketchup.
- According to The Oxford Companion, Americans consume 10 billion ounces of ketchup every year—that’s around 71 pounds per person and three bottles of ketchup for every man, woman, and child.
- Around 12 million tons of ketchup is produced every year, valued at more than $900 million
Conclusion: Ketchup as Medicine
Now you know the history of tomato sauce and how ketchup was believed to have medicinal properties for a brief period in history. In the 1800s, ketchup was once sold as a medicine, with its potential health benefits making it a popular remedy. However, with the evolution of medical science, ketchup’s medicinal claims didn’t stand up, and it found its true calling as a beloved condiment.
So, while it may not be able to cure diarrhea or digestion issues, ketchup remains an iconic food with a fascinating past. Next time you squeeze a bottle of ketchup over your fries, you can appreciate that this condiment has been on quite a journey.
