Can hot sauce help you live longer?
Quick answer... maybe?!
There is a lot of talk on the internet - back and forth - about the health benefits of adding hot sauce to your food.
A quick google search can bring up hundreds of studies and articles claiming that hot sauce cures everything from diabetes, to weight problems, to cancer. But interestingly, nothing seems to be conclusive as to why.
On of the most accepted health benefits of hot sauce is its antioxidant properties. According to the mayo clinic, "Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases."
This also makes hot sauce good for fighting inflammation. Hot sauce releases endorphins and causes your body to think it's been burned, which can cause swelling to go down, possibly helping with exercise recovery and arthritis symptoms.
A Chinese study looking at half a million adults, found that those who who ate spicy foods three or more times a week had a 14% reduced risk of death.
Personally I love hot sauce because I'm addicted to the heat, and I do think it makes me feel good, similar to how I feel after taking a shot of apple cider vinegar. But most importantly, I think it adds a flavor profile to my food that can't be present in many other forms.
So, for kicks, I tried 4 popular hot sauces on Amazon, and here's my opinion on them:
TRUFF Hot Sauce, Gourmet Hot Sauce with Ripe Chili Peppers, Black Truffle Oil, Organic Agave Nectar, Unique Flavor Experience in a Bottle, 6 oz.
#1 on amazon
Price:$17.98 ($3.21 / Ounce)
This hot sauce is AMAZING if you enjoy truffle oil. If you don't, I would probably pass. Granted it really isn't very hot, but it adds a wonderful sweetness and earthy umami which is just not found in any other flavor combination. Does not taste good on everything but I highly recommend on chicken or with cheese based sauce.
Secret Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce | Made with Habanero Peppers & Roasted Tomatoes | Non-GMO, Low Sugar, Low Carb | Awesome Hot Sauce & Marinade 8 oz
#5 on amazon
Price:$8.99 ($1.12 / Fl Oz)
I was surprised this hot sauce is so highly rated. To me it was a good amount of heat, but very bland. Not much flavor. My sister said it tasted like boring pizza sauce and I would agree. Just ok.
Price:$9.49 ($0.95 / Ounce)
While technically not a hot sauce. This honey is definitely worth a try. It really is just a hot honey, with only a touch of vinegar, there are no additional flavors. But worth a buy for chicken and a biscuit with a kick.
Price:$7.79 ($1.56 / Fl Oz)
#44 on amazon
This sauce has a fun tropical kick. Very heavy flavor of pineapple and mango, a lot of sweetness and a good amount of heat. My only negative is that it has a very distinct flavor of dried spices which is not my favorite flavor. But I really really enjoy the sauce and would continue to use it.
Hope that helps! Stay healthy and spicy, friends.
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