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FoodSurprise 4/5Difficulty 3/5Reviewed on September 17, 2026

Ketchup was sold as a medicine to purify the blood in the eighteen thirties.

Why it is true

An American doctor sold tomato extract as a cure for diarrhea, indigestion, and rheumatism. The addition of vinegar and spices helped preserve the syrup before refrigeration.

Source: Medical History Journal

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