Hot Sauce – Healthy or Not? – Article Review

Some people put hot sauce on everything, but is that habit healthy?  The article, “Is it Healthy: Hot Sauce,” discusses the pros and cons of this spicy condiment.

Hot Sauce – Healthy or Not? – The Good

Hot sauce is low in calories and a good source of vitamin C.  A teaspoon of hot sauce has less than 1 calorie.  Hot sauce packs a big flavor punch and can be a great low-calorie way to jazz up a bland dish.

Research suggests that capsaicin, the compound found in chilis that gives hot sauce its heat, can help prevent peptic ulcers and may even slightly boost metabolism.

Hot Sauce – Healthy or Not? – The Bad

Excessive amounts of capsaicin can irritate the stomach.  At 119 mg of sodium per teaspoon, hot sauce can add a lot of sodium to your dish, if used in large amounts.

The strong flavor and heat of hot sauce can easily overwhelm the other flavors in your food if you use too much.

Hot Sauce – Healthy or Not? – My Take

I like to use traditional sauces like Tabasco on things like chicken wings, nachos and barbecue.  My condiment of choice for tacos, soups, sandwiches and anything else that could use a bit of heat is sriracha sauce.

I have read other places that spicy foods are thought to have a positive effect on metabolism, but in general, I just enjoy spicy foods.  If you’re not into spice, I don’t think the benefits are enough to force yourself to eat the stuff, but if you do like the heat, I think hot and chili sauces are a great way to add flavor without adding a lot of calories and are probably a much healthier habit than dipping everything in ranch or slathering it in mayo.