Sriracha, the duly named "hipster" condiment, truly has a cult following. People buy the bottles in bulk, along with an assortment of memorabilia. Sriracha lovers are addicted and now they can feel at ease knowing this spicy bottle and other hot sauces may help them live longer.
Sriracha originated from Thailand, and is made by Huy Fong Foods. It is incredibly popular, with sales last year reaching up to $60 million dollars. Although the addictive sauce is inspiration to a lot of merchandise, the CEO, David Tran, has always cared more about the quality of the product. This sauce contains chili peppers, which are key to the delicious taste and is the fuel to the phenomenon.
The Study
A study done at the University Of Vermont collected data from over 16,000 people, all of whom were over the age of 23. They found that the consumption of red hot chili peppers was associated with a 13% reduction in mortality, especially deaths connected to heart disease and strokes. This is due to a main chemical found in most of the spicy foods we consume.
The main chemical that attributes to this reduction in mortality is capsaicin, which is what gives spicy foods that extra kick. This chemical has been found to lower blood cholesterol levels and even help to prevent dangerous blockages of blood flow. It can be found in spicy foods, such as cayenne pepper, jalapeños and habanero chilis. Sriracha's addictive sauce contains the key ingredient of chili peppers, so maybe their loyal customers are on to something.
So what does this mean? No, do NOT go chugging bottles of Tabasco and Sriracha. However, for those who were hesitant to add some spice to their meals, you now have an idea that these sauces could possibly result in a longer life. If your taste buds can bare the heat, these hot sauces are worth the investment. Beyoncé had the right idea all along.
Related: Best and worst condiments for you
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The 6 Best and 6 Worst Condiments for You
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The 6 Best and 6 Worst Condiments for You
Read on to discover which sauces and condiments are the best and worst for you!
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The Best
Just based on calorie counts alone, these condiments are the ones you shouldn't feel guilty about.
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Relish
One tablespoon of pickle relish comes in at 20 calories per tablespoon. So if you prefer this topper for your hot dogs, you're in luck! This condiment comes in on the lower end of the calorie spectrum.
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Ketchup
The traditionally popular ketchup probably won't affect your waistline at 19 calories per tablespoon. Also, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, that amount of ketchup contains 2.9 mg of lycopene, a phytochemical that can potentially help lower the risk of cancer.
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Soy Sauce
If you love dipping your California rolls in soy sauce, you're in luck. This sushi condiment is a mere 9 calories per tablespoon. (However, there have been debates over whether the sodium content in soy sauce is good for you, so opt for a low-sodium version if you can, and eat it in moderation!)
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Horseradish
There's nothing quite like pairing a roast beef sandwich with horseradish sauce. Luckily, one tablespoon is just 7 calories. It's also been reported that the compounds in the horseradish plant can detox your body and suppress tumor growth.
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Mustard
Another classic condiment, mustard has only 3 calories per tablespoon. While it can also be high in sodium like soy sauce, eating it in moderation can have some benefits. Yellow mustard contains nutrients that can help digestive health and build strong teeth and bones.
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Hot Sauce
Hot sauce for the win! This increasingly popular topping clocks in at 0 calories. Yes, you read that correctly! Not only that, but it's also been said to curb your appetite. (There are some fun ways to use it in your cooking too.)
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The Worst
Also based on calorie counts, these are the condiments you may want to eat in moderation.
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Barbecue Sauce
Barbecue sauce comes in at 29 calories per tablespoon, which isn't outrageous, but that amount has 6 grams of sugar. Since you're likely to use more than just one tablespoon, particularly if you're using it to rub down your ribs, you may want to be careful how often you indulge in this sauce.
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Tartar Sauce
Commonly paired with fried fish and chips or served with crab cakes, tartar sauce comes in at 31.5 calories per tablespoon. But if you want to make it healthier, you could always substitute yogurt in your homemade version!
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Hoisin Sauce
This thick sauce commonly used in Asian cuisine is 35 calories per tablespoon. Like soy sauce, it contains a lot of sodium (but doesn't have the low calorie count that soy sauce does), so you may want to limit your intake.
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Ranch Dressing
Climbing up the calorie ladder, this popular veggie dip has 73 calories per tablespoon. One serving (two tablespoons) has 15 grams of fat, so if you're one of those people who likes to dip their pizza in ranch, you may want to reign it in.
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Tahini
Worse than ranch is tahini at 89 calories per tablespoon. It pairs well with falafel, but it has 16 grams of fat per serving and it can be easy to go overboard with, so beware of how much you're pouring on your pita!
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Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise may have taken the lead as America's favorite condiment, but that doesn't mean you should necessarily follow the trend! The condiment has a whopping 94 calories per tablespoon. It's also full of saturated fat and cholesterol.
