Is Tabasco Bad For You?
Also Known As: tabasco sauce
Short answer
Tabasco sauce is not bad for you. With a top designed to make sure people do not use too much, adding a little bit to your meals can come with many benefits.
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Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Unless you eat copious amounts, in which case the combination of vinegar and spice could wreak havoc on your stomach, Tabasco sauce is a welcome addition to any diet plan. It does not contribute to your daily vitamin and mineral intake (but then again, it is meant to be used with something that does), but it also does not contribute any fats or calories. What's more is that when so many things seem to be fake, Tabasco sauce is natural - even the salt used comes from mines located under Avery Island, the place where Tabasco sauce has its origins in the late 19th century. There are no artificial colors - the red comes from cayenne pepper, which is matched against a wooden dowel to make sure it is the right color before being harvested.
The benefits of Tabasco sauce come from the capsaicin found in the cayenne pepper and acetic acid found in vinegar. Both have been found to increase fat oxidation, which allows the body to turn fat into energy. This, combined with capsaicin's ability to increase metabolism while suppressing appetite, makes it a great addition for people watching their weight. Also, the cayenne pepper has been shown to have a regulating effect on blood sugar levels, which when combined with vinegar's ability to improve insulin sensitivity in people on high-carb diets, makes for a great way to prevent diabetes - or for diabetics to flavor their food.
It is interesting to note that Tabasco sauce has had royal approval since 2009 from Queen Elizabeth II and is served in the British royal household. It's also fit for the President, being served aboard Air Force One. The only drawback is that Tabasco sauce can contain between 2% to 10% of the RDA for sodium. If cutting back on sodium is important to you, then either avoid or use Tabasco sparingly. Also, if you have problems with indigestion or acid reflux, resist the temptation to use copious amounts.
Possible short-term side effects
- indigestion
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acid reflux
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nausea
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water retention / dehydration
Possible long-term side effects
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
- regulates blood sugar
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increases fat oxidation
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suppresses appetite
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relieves nasal congestion
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helps prevent sinus infection
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approved for diabetics
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increases metabolism
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100% natural
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Cholula Original Hot Sauce
- Flavorful heat addition
- Multiple bottle pack
- Ideal gift set
- Versatile sauce
- 12 fl oz each
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Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-01-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-01-2023
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