When it comes to an American kitchen, you’re bound to find a squeeze bottle of ketchup in the fridge. And many people trust Heinz brand ketchup to use on their hot dogs, hamburgers, and other American staples. Unfortunately, using ketchup is not good for your health. Although ketchup is the most popular condiment in the country and is an American tradition, there are a number of bad things about it that doctors are urging your to learn.
When it comes to an American kitchen, you’re bound to find a squeeze bottle of ketchup in the fridge. And many people trust Heinz brand ketchup to use on their hot dogs, hamburgers, and other American staples. Unfortunately, using ketchup is not good for your health. Although ketchup is the most popular condiment in the country and is an American tradition, there are a number of bad things about it that doctors are urging your to learn.
Here is the warning that health professionals are asking you to listen to very carefully…it’s in the best interest of your health!
Even though Ronald Reagan pushed to officially categorize ketchup as a vegetable so he wouldn’t need to improve school lunches, it contains a lot of dangerous chemicals that are detrimental to your health.
Although you’d probably think tomatoes are the only ingredient in ketchup – think again.
Most manufacturers of the condiment, like Heinz, don’t even use fresh tomatoes, they use something called tomato concentration – which is a dried version of red tomatoes that needs to have water added.
Although the first ingredient is a bastardized version of a ripe red tomato, Heinz ketchup’s ingredients quickly deviate from wholesome.
After the tomato concentrate, they included distilled vinegar, high-fructose corn syrup (which is a sweetener that has been processed from corn), corn syrup (more sugar to add to the mix), salt (which increased your risk of high blood pressure), spices, onion powder, and natural flavoring.
You read those ingredients correctly. Heinz ketchup and similar brands included a double-dosage of sugar in order to make it more addictive and appealing to young children.
These ingredients are listed by the greatest amount to the least amount used in the product. That’s not the amount of space it takes up, but the amount it weighs.
Because high-fructose corn syrup and corn syrup are just fancy names for sugar, Heinz has gotten around their ingredient list by adding it in their twice. That means they don’t have to include the sugar at the top of the list – which makes it appear to be healthier than it really is.
If ketchup makers added just one type of sugar, it would probably appear second on the list – or maybe even first. But they got around the rule with their trick…
Do you want to know how much sugar is really in ketchup? Mr. Eastcoastman filled up a typical 1.3 liter bottle of Heinz ketchup with the actual amount of sugar they are spoon-feeding your children and you. It came out to 33 tablespoons of sugar. That’s more than 2 cups of sugar – and you probably use a teaspoon or two for your morning coffee.
Your average serving of ketchup – like a squirt onto a hamburger patty – is about 2 tablespoons. Each serving of ketchup comes with two teaspoons of sugar – and you probably never even knew you were eating it.
Also, you might notice the healthy sounding “spices” and “natural flavorings” in the ketchup ingredient list. But we have NO CLUE what those are! Only Heinz knows what they’re putting into your food.
These vague terms like “spices” and “natural flavorings” are concerning because they could be hiding a variety of artificial or chemically processed ingredients. The FDA allows companies to use these broad labels to protect proprietary recipes, but it means consumers are left in the dark about what they’re truly consuming.
Beyond the sugar content and hidden ingredients, the high levels of sodium in ketchup are another cause for concern. Just a single tablespoon of ketchup contains around 160 milligrams of sodium, and while that might not seem like much, it can quickly add up if you’re using ketchup liberally on your meals. Excessive sodium intake can contribute to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Another troubling aspect of ketchup, particularly Heinz and other commercial brands, is the use of preservatives and additives to prolong shelf life. One of the common preservatives found in ketchup is sodium benzoate, which has been linked to potential health risks when consumed in large amounts, including exacerbating conditions like asthma or causing allergic reactions.
Moreover, the acidic nature of tomatoes, combined with vinegar and the high sugar content, can also negatively affect your digestive health. Overconsumption of acidic foods can contribute to issues such as acid reflux and damage to the enamel of your teeth.
For parents, this information is particularly important because children tend to use ketchup liberally, whether it’s on fries, burgers, or chicken nuggets. The addictive sweetness, coupled with the fact that ketchup is perceived as a harmless condiment, means kids are unknowingly consuming large amounts of sugar and sodium.
But the real question is: What can you do about it?
If you’re a ketchup lover, there’s no need to quit cold turkey. There are healthier alternatives out there. For example, some brands make ketchup using organic tomatoes, less sugar, and without high-fructose corn syrup or harmful preservatives. These can provide a similar flavor without the health risks.
Alternatively, making your own ketchup at home is another great option. It allows you to control the ingredients, reduce sugar content, and eliminate unnecessary additives. A homemade version can include fresh tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, a small amount of natural sweetener like honey, and spices you can trust.
In conclusion, while ketchup may be an iconic part of the American diet, it’s important to be aware of what’s really inside that bottle. Understanding the health risks associated with commercial ketchup brands can help you make more informed choices, and opting for healthier alternatives can still allow you to enjoy the flavor without compromising your well-being.
