Tomato Ketchup- Know its merits and demerits
Tomato Ketchup - Is It Good or Bad for You?
Be it French fries, burgers, hash browns or simple omelette,
the taste of ketchup can complement everything. This popular and inexpensive
red coloured condiment is regarded as healthy by some even though that does not
indicate you can consume copious amount of it.
Is ketchup good for health?
Ketchup is a low-calorie condiment made from simple
ingredients like spices, salt, pepper, vinegar, and tomatoes. Compared to other
notable rivals like mayonnaise, ketchup contains no fat and has lesser
calories. But for some people, the sugar and salt content of ketchup is a
matter of concern. Moreover, it tends to contain natural flavoring, tomato
concentrate and most importantly, high fructose corn syrup which may not be
desirable. So, the key here is not to abandon ketchup overall but to reduce the
consumption.
Ketchup and its list of benefits:
The lycopene content of the tomato, which is the prime
ingredient of ketchup, cuts down the risk of cancer in bladder, lungs, stomach,
and cervix by several degrees. So, eating about two or more servings of tomato
ketchup in a week can do you better than harm. Lycopene, an important
antioxidant can shield the body from free radical damage.
Moreover, ketchup is a low-fat condiment that can make bland
foods taste great. It has low carbohydrate content, good levels of vitamins and
is thought to help fertility in men. But there is a trick to this, most of us
use commercially produced ketchup which is easily available in the market.
Is it good for you?
When you use commercially prepared ketchup on the food, you
could be consuming high fructose corn syrup or HF CS since this is what lugs
out of the jar. In most cases, you will find that the ketchup contains
overcooked tomatoes, a huge amount of sugar which is genetically engineered
corn syrup and of course, water. Some brands may also use natural flavoring which
is nothing but flavor-boosting chemicals.
Just a teaspoonful of ketchup contains about 4 grams of
sugar and, some people take more than one teaspoon at a time which builds up
the daily sugar load. HF CS is added to almost all preserved foods along with a
lot of flavor enhancers, and together they do not take much time to overload
you with the maximum daily fructose limit.
Ketchup can be an excellent addition to your main diet when
taken in moderation, of course. But with regular consumption, you are sure to
head towards a host of unwanted diseases and complications. If you are not able
to trust any of the easily available brands, you may consider making your own
tomato ketchup and savor the taste.
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