Is Ketchup Bad For You?
Also Known As: catsup
Short answer
If it weren't for the high fructose corn syrup and sugar content in ketchup, the condiment would score high as a health food, as it provides a host of benefits over a long period of time. However, the adverse impacts some of its ingredients may have cannot be overlooked.
Recommended Alternative
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Ketchup is made from several ingredients, the primary ones being tomato concentrate, salt, and HFCS. Although studies have been conducted that show ketchup can have many long-term benefits, the negative impact of consuming enough ketchup to enjoy those benefits may not be worth it. First, let's look at the good news.
Ketchup contains an antioxidant called lycopene. Lycopene has been noted to reduce the risk of heart disease in women by 50%. For men, lycopene can increase sperm count by up to 70%, increase swimming speed, and cut down the number of abnormal sperm cells - all of which leads to increased fertility. Ketchup has also been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 20% when consumed at least twice per week, according to a long-term study involving over 45,000 men. In addition to these benefits, ketchup contains a high amount of vitamin A, which is vital in maintaining good eye health. Other benefits of ketchup are that it can help reduce cholesterol, especially LDL, is low in calories, does not contain fat, and can be used to mask the flavor of various foods which may be better for the body than for the palette.
Although the benefits given above are wonderful, don't start using mounds of ketchup quite yet. First, as listed, high fructose corn syrup (HCFS) is one of the primary ingredients in ketchup. There is a host of negative issues associated with HCFS, one of which is tricking the body into not feeling full and thus inducing overeating. Other various studies have linked HFCS to metabolic syndrome and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Tomato concentrate does not contain all the nutrients in tomatoes as the process involved strips much of them away. About 1/4 of a bottle of ketchup is pure sugar, which can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood sugar. Two other ingredients to take note of are vinegar (a very acidic substance linked to tooth enamel decay and negative impact on potassium levels in the body) and GMOs, which although approved by the FDA are not approved in many other countries around the world, including most of Western and Central Europe. The jury is still out regarding whether or not GMOs have a negative impact on health, but if this is a concern for you, consider consuming ketchup in moderation (80% of all corn grown in the USA is GMO).
Possible short-term side effects
Possible long-term side effects
- tooth decay
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diabetes
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heart disease
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hyperglycemia
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negative impact on potassium levels
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- reduces risk of prostate cancer
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increases fertility in men
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promotes eye health
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low in calories
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fat free
Healthier alternatives
- organic ketchup (free of hfcs)
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fresh tomatoes
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Primal Kitchen Ketchup
- USDA Organic Certified
- Paleo & Keto Friendly
- Whole30 Approved
- No Added Sugar
- Non-GMO
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Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-01-2016
Last updated: 11-30-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-01-2016
Last updated: 11-30-2023
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