Khaberni - Nutrition experts sparked a scientific discussion on the nutritional value of tomato sauce "ketchup", the most popular globally, to determine whether it is classified as a healthy addition or a silent threat within the daily diet.
This assessment comes at a time when millions of households consume this sauce regularly as a staple with fast food and everyday meals.
Experts explained to the "Telegraph" that ketchup occupies an intermediate position among condiments; it surpasses mayonnaise with lower fat content and contains less sugar than barbecue sauce, yet it remains high in sugars compared to mustard.
The main problem is that one tablespoon of ketchup contains what is equivalent to a full teaspoon of sugar; meaning that excessive consumption quickly depletes the recommended daily limit of sugars, in addition to most commercial varieties being categorized as ultra-processed foods due to containing extracts and artificial sweeteners, and their constant association with unhealthy foods, such as: fried foods, and processed meats.
Conversely, ketchup is not devoid of health benefits derived from tomatoes; it is among the richest sources of the antioxidant "lycopene" linked to heart protection and the prevention of some types of cancer.
Research confirms that the cooking and heat processes used in manufacturing increase the body's ability to absorb this substance more effectively than raw tomatoes, although small portions provide the body with modest amounts of it.
In the same context, specialists indicate that resorting to "light" varieties may not always be an ideal solution, as sugar is replaced with artificial sweeteners that may negatively affect gut health and the microbiome when consumed excessively, affirming that the homemade option remains the healthiest.
The educational and nutritional conclusion confirms that ketchup is not healthy in the absolute sense but it is not harmful either, and consuming it in moderation and in regulated quantities does not pose a risk to public health.
