“There is no significant downside to eating hot sauce or spicy foods regularly, as long as it is not resulting in significant side effects. If you notice adverse effects, such as heartburn, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or anorectal discomfort, then back down.”
Still, hot sauce is lower in sodium than many other condiments and can fit into a heart-healthy diet if you enjoy it in moderation alongside other nutritious, low sodium ingredients. Hot sauce is relatively high in sodium, a nutrient you may need to limit your intake of — especially if you have high blood pressure or are sensitive to salt.
Frank’s Red Hot and Louisiana are high, with 190 and 200 mg of sodium per teaspoon, respectively. Many of the organic hot sauces are just as bad for you too. Arizona Pepper by Harvest Foods touts being organic and non-GMO yet it has 180 mg of unhealthy sodium per serving.
Trappey’s is part of Louisiana’s rich hot sauce history, but it sure doesn’t make the Southern state proud. In fact, Trappey’s is kind of a hot mess. This sauce is high in sodium and additives like the other sauces, but it’s much milder.
How much sodium is in hot sauce?
Hot sauce may be high in sodium depending on the brand, type, and serving size. In fact, 1 teaspoon (5 mL) contains about 124 mg of sodium. For reference, most regulatory organizations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom recommend limiting sodium intake below 2,300–2,400 mg per day ( 1. ).
Instead, choose hot sauces that contain a few simple ingredients, such as peppers, vinegar, salt, and spices. summary. When shopping for hot sauce, look for a product that’s low in sodium and free of additives, preservatives, and food dyes.
Therefore, because most studies use very high doses of capsaicin, it’s unclear how much hot sauce you would have to eat to obtain similar results. Additionally, due to its capsaicin content, hot sauce may cause certain side effects, including acid reflux, stomach cramps, and a burning sensation on the skin ( 13.
Nutritional value. Hot sauce is very low in calories and free of carbs, fat, and protein. Because it’s used in such small amounts, it’s very low in vitamins and minerals. Still, each serving contains a small amount of vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in immune function.
Hot sauce boasts capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their signature spice. This compound is associated with a long list of benefits, including: Pain relief. Capsaicin is sometimes applied topically to help reduce pain.
How to choose a healthy hot sauce. Although hot sauce fits into a healthy, well-rounded diet, it’s important to remember that not all varieties are created equal. In fact, some types of hot sauce are loaded with sodium, additives, and other unhealthy ingredients that harm your health.
Reducing sodium intake may be especially beneficial for those with high blood pressure, as doing so may lower this health marker to help prevent heart attack and stroke ( 15. Trusted Source. ). Keep in mind that some people may be more sensitive to the effects of salt than others.
What peppers are in Frank’s red hot?
Cayenne peppers are the the starring ingredient in Frank’s Red Hot, Tapatio, and many other brands. All of the spicy red peppers varieties will rank high. To paint perspective, the numbers for raw green, yellow, orange, and red bell peppers come in between 800 to 1,000 for the same weights.
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a principal mediator of inflammation in many types of diseases, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Animal research has found that the capsaicin in hot peppers inhibits PGE2 in a dose-dependent manner.
So even though these ingredients are antioxidant rich, you have to consider portion sizes when comparing them to other fruits and veggies.
The research about the capsaicin in hot sauce and how that might help inflammation, heart, liver, and more remains unproven yet promising.
Several studies have concluded that hot sauce good is for your metabolism. It appears to increase energy expenditure (i.e. boost metabolism). This appears to include the burning of brown adipose fat tissue, which is one cause of belly fat. Whether this temporary effect helps with long term weight loss remains unknown.
Hellmann’s Mayonnaise still likes to claim number one, but that’s based on dollar volume by a condiment brand, not a whole category. That same year ketchup was dethroned, Jerry Seinfeld explained the reason for this in the 43rd episode of his show….
For some people the feeling of “heat” from hot sauce is pleasurable, since it triggers the increase in endorphins. For others, body’s reactions to the perceived burning result in unpleasant side effects, including sore throat, heartburn, and digestive issues.
What are the most popular hot sauce brands?
Is hot sauce one such condiment? To determine the answer, let’s start by taking a look at the four most popular hot sauce brands—Frank’s RedHot, Sriracha, Tabasco and Cholula. According to Credit Suisse, these four brands make up 50% of the U.S. hot sauce market.
As long as you stick to hot sauces with fairly simple ingredients and keep an eye on your sodium intake, yes. The only real risk of regular hot sauce consumption seems to be gastrointestinal discomfort, but that symptom varies widely from person to person.
Here’s one thing I do know for sure—hot sauce can help add flavor to the healthy foods you might not feel are all that appealing on their own. Adding a dash of hot sauce to your vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, etc. can help you enjoy eating them more frequently, which is certainly a benefit all its own.
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