Eating tomatoes and ketchup in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Last Updated on February 1, 2023 by Dr. Abadullah Sajid Bashir

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition when different types of symptoms like abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation can show and for patient it is very difficult to adjust with these symptoms and patient will be very careful for his/her health. For more information about IBS click the link

The main reason why an IBS patient needs to be extremely careful is that there is no complete cure. In the same way, scientists are still unable to know the reasons for this and research is going on. For this reason, the patient has to take care of his mental health as well as his diet.

The patient lives in the same fear that if he eats any food, the symptoms of IBS will not appear. Patients are eating fruits and vegetables that keep their digestive system healthy and prevent them from experiencing IBS-like conditions.

What is tomato and tomato ketchup?

Tomato is primarily a fruit but is eaten as a vegetable. It is also eaten as a fresh salad. Tomato is easily available in every region of the world. It is a soft and juicy fruit and the seeds are inside it.
On the other hand, tomato ketchup is also called tomato sauce in some region and it is made from pure tomatoes but it is preserved by adding different types of chemicals so that it can be used for a long time. In the same way, different types of chemicals are used to make tomato ketchup more palatable.

How to eat tomatoes and tomato ketchup in IBS.

Tomato is beneficial in IBS. If you are having symptoms of IBS and you consume fresh tomato then it will be very beneficial and it will reduce the symptoms. Same result for pure tomato ketchup also, if it is available.^[1]https://www.theibsnetwork.org/assets/files/Diet-guide-for-IBS-Constipation.pdf But in tomato ketchup with different types of chemicals added to it can cause IBS symptoms. It is not caused by tomatoes at all, but this will due to chemicals added in ketchup.^[2]https://www.niagarahealth.on.ca/files/IBS-TheLowFODMAPDietProgramforIrritableBowelSyndrome2019.pdf^[3]IBS-and-FODMAPS.pdf (woodholmegi.com)

Therefore, IBS patients should continue to eat pure fresh tomatoes. It is better if the patients use them in salads, that is, tomatoes are eaten along with the food. Patients can benefit from it. For details you can watch video.

Why I can not eat tomato ketchup in IBS?

There are many additive and chemicals that can add in tomato ketchup for preservation purpose as well ass for good taste these chemical can enhance the symptoms of IBS. The second reason is that in market fake ketchup is available that has taste like original tomato ketchup but originally it is not. when IBS patient eat this type, he will face IBS symptoms i.e., abdominal cramping, pain and mucous with feces. 

IBS patients should not eat tomatoes

Patients who have any kind of allergy to tomatoes should not consume. It may cause problems for them. Similarly, people who have kidney stones should also avoid using tomatoes. On the one hand, tomato will benefit them, it will help in IBS, but on the other hand, it will also cause pain in the kidneys.

Written By:

• Dr. Abadullah Sajid Bashir

Reviewed By:

• Dr. Muhammad Khan Malik
• Syeda Noor-ul-Ain Naqvi

 For Reviewers Detail Click Here