Ketchup was once used as medicine to treat illness.
In the late 1800's, Tomato Ketchup became popular condiment used as medicine to treat illness. It was claimed to cure ailments like diarrhea, indigestion, and jaundice.
John Cook Bennett, an Ohio based physician, sold "Ketchup" as a cure for indigestion in 1830s. He later sold it in form of 'tomato pills'.
Today, Americans purchases 10 billion ounces of Ketchup each year.