Red hot sauce is a popular condiment prepared from chili peppers and has been extensively used for giving foods a spicy kick. It is also used for various therapeutic purposes.

Nutritional profile

• It is considered as a low calorie food as it does not provide enough calories on its oxidation due to its poor carbohydrates and fat contents
• It contains negligible amount of proteins as well
• It contains several vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B complex among which it is especially rich in Vitamin B6
• It contains various important trace elements as well, which include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and iron
• It contains capsaicin, which is considered as one of the most important components of this sauce that exert numerous nutraceutical activities

Biological activity

Antioxidant activity

• Its micronutrient components and capsaicin component are considered as the chief components responsible for exerting antioxidant activity

• It helps to protect the body from the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species and free radicals by reducing their level in body
• It is also associated with preventing cellular damages thus helps to promote overall cellular functions
• It helps to spare various important biological substances of body from oxidation thus help in sustaining their activity, which ultimately helps in promoting wellbeing  

Anti-inflammatory activity

• It plays vital role in decreasing the concentration of inflammatory markers in body, which helps in preventing inflammation
• It helps to improve joint health as well by preventing joint swelling thus its consumption is thought to be very useful for improving the symptoms of arthritis

Anti-carcinogenic activity

• Capsaicin present in red hot sauce exerts potent anti-carcinogenic activity. Whereas it’s oxidative stress reducing activity is also responsible for reducing the risk of developing cancers
• It has seen that capsaicin of red hot sauce helps in hindering the growth of cancerous cells by targeting various signaling pathways and also helps to suppress the activity of  cancer associated genes in different stages of tumor
• It helps to prevent metastasis as well

Health benefits

Role on respiratory health

• It has been extensively used as an effective remedial action for various respiratory issues
• It is extremely useful for clearing up congestion
• It has seen that consumption of red hot sauce help to make the nose run thus individual who feel stuffy should include spiciness to their meal

• It is also associated with clearing up sinuses
• It helps to make the cold more manageable

Role on metabolism

• It acts as an important metabolism booster. Its capsaicin and Vitamin C components are considered as main components responsible for improving metabolism, which ultimately helps to increase calorie expenditure
• It is also associated with supporting every organ of the body to function properly as it helps in maintaining a healthy metabolism hence helps to promote wellbeing

Role on digestive health

• It is very useful for promoting digestion
• It has seen that capsaicin present in red hot sauce is responsible for stimulating the secretion of digestive juice, which ultimately helps in digestion
• It is also associated with preventing the growth of harmful microbes within intestine and reduces the prevalence of infectious diseases
• It helps to prevent diarrhea too
• It helps in decreasing stomach cramping as well

Role on weight management

• It plays significant role in weight management
• It not only helps in weight reduction but also helps in maintaining healthy body weight
• It has seen that when individual eat red hot sauce or something spicy, then they cannot take a big bite whereas they are going to nibble a bit in a slow manner. Eating slowly ultimately helps them savor their foods. It also helps them to feel less hungry and also satisfied them with lesser foods

• It is also associated with suppressing hunger as it helps in decreasing the level of ghrelin hormone, which is responsible for triggering hunger
• On the other hand it helps in increasing the concentration of another appetite-suppressing hormone named GLP-1 that also helps in hindering appetite and prevents over consumption as a result facilitates weight reduction
• As mentioned above it is linked with enhancing metabolism thus its consumption is thought to be very effective for making the weight reduction process relatively easier 

Role on mental health

• Consumption of red hot sauce is very effective for keeping an individual in a good mood and all the credit goes to its capsaicin content
• It has seen that capsaicin is responsible for triggering the release of endorphins, which are accountable for promoting mood
• Basically endorphins are chemicals produced by the nervous system to cope up with stress as well as pain thus they are considered as happiness booster and pain reliever  
• Its consumption is also associated with making an individual feel better and significantly reduces stress

Therapeutic uses

It has been widely used for various therapeutic purposes, which include –

• It is used as an important therapeutic substance for preventing hypertension. It has seen that capsaicin present in red hot sauce is closely related with promoting the release of nitric oxide, which helps to reduce blood pressure. We know that high blood pressure can increase the risk of developing various complications thus it is always better to maintain the blood pressure at check

• Its magnesium content is accountable for maintaining a healthy heart beat hence helps to prevent arrhythmias
• It is also very effective for improving prostate health. It has seen that capsaicin present in red hot sauce plays significant role in suppressing the growth of malignant cells in prostate almost at all stages
• It is extensively used for reducing pain as well. It has seen that its capsaicin content is responsible for depleting substance P, which is a pain transmitter present in nerve, accountable for transmitting pain signal. It is also associated with providing a sensation of heat that helps to relax muscle and soothe pain as well
• It also helps to keep an individual young
• It helps to boost the immunity as well. Vitamin C component of red hot sauce plays significant role in stimulating the synthesis of WBC that helps to make the body able to fight against infections thus helps to reduce the risk of developing infectious diseases
• It helps in wound healing as well
• It also plays imperative role in promoting the health and functionality of connective tissues by enhancing the synthesis of collagen
• Vitamin C present in red hot sauce is also responsible for improving skin elasticity
• Its capsaicin content is also very effective for preventing hyperinsulinemia, which is a condition characterized by elevated insulin level. Its consumption is really very helpful for normalizing the insulin level in body thus plays important role in decreasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Vitamin A present in red hot sauce helps to promote vision as well

Culinary uses

• It is consumed with various dishes like egg, burgers, tacos and burritos
• It can be added to marinades as well

General consideration of using red hot sauce

It is always better to read the nutrition label carefully before purchasing red hot sauce because some of the sauces contain higher amount of additives, preservatives and sodium. Thus it is always better to choose those hot sauces, which contain lesser amount of sodium, additives and preservatives

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