Ketchup, Mustard and Relish: How Your Condiments are Helping Your Health

Ketchup, Mustard and Relish: How Your Condiments are Helping Your Health

Summer is on our doorstep and for many that means the arrival of hot dogs and hamburgers grilling away on the barbecue. Beyond being tasty, these main dishes are a perfect vehicle for our favorite condiments.

The great news is that, surprisingly, what we’re used to turns out to be more than just a bunch of tasty sauces.

Ketchup, mustard and relish come with some great health benefits. Check out these details and get ready to spread away, guilt-free.

Ketchup

Our trusty red sauce has an interesting history going all the way back to 17th century China. Back in the good old days ketchup involved pickled fish, and while today’s American version tastes quite different, it’s just as interesting.

According to the telegraph.co.uk, ketchup can do everything from improve your sperm count, reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer, and cut your cholesterol, to improve your eyesight with a good dose of vitamin A. Time to hand over a healthy dose of Heinz!

Mustard

Mustard is thought to have been experimented with first by the Romans, according to some sources. It stains like a b*&ch, but this strong condiment comes packed with selenium and magnesium which can bring anti-inflammatory properties.

Mustard is also rich in B-complex vitamins like folate, niacin, thiamine and riboflavin which provides necessary nutrients and can also speed up your metabolism.

Turn to this terrific topping for a source of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium.

Relish

Relish comes in so many flavors and variants, so we’ll start with the straight green stuff here. Sweet pickle relish is generally made from sweet pickles and the common store-bought western version of relish does admittedly come with a good dose of sugar and sodium.

The good news though, is that relish is high in vitamin K and doesn’t necessarily have to be store-bought. Homemade relishes can contain probiotics and antioxidants that your body will, well, likely relish.

Got the munchies? Time to crack out the lighter fluid and get snackin’.

Photo credit: tab62/Shutterstock

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