Drizzled over a steaming plate of scrumptious cuisine, this fiery red sauce adds a visual and gustatory kick to any meal. Its spicy flare makes the sauce impossible to pass up – but should you?

Sriracha does offer some health benefits to its consumers (THANK GOD!), making our avid consumption somewhat justified. For instance, the primary ingredient in Huy Fong’s Sriracha is red chili peppers, which contain capsaicin, a chemical compound that may increase metabolism and thus weight loss. The peppers can cause a rise in endorphins, for a mid-meal mood boost. Also, the fourth most prevalent ingredient, garlic, may lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Additionally, Sriracha may “aid in the body’s ability to dissolve blood clots, fight inflammation, improve circulation, and help fight colds by acting as an expectorant”, which is a chemical compound that increases the water content in mucus, making your cough more productive (Abell, Dennis).

However, its ingredients also pose possible threats to our physical well being. The most notable health suspect would have to be the second ingredient: sugar. When combined with salt, also the main ingredient in Huy Fong’s Sriracha, the substance takes on an addictive quality (Now it all makes sense!). Sriracha also contains potassium sorbate and sodium bisulfate, preservatives to maintain the taste and improve shelf life, both of which are generally considered safe for consumption, excepting allergic reactions.

Considering these health concerns, if you’ve seriously contemplated buying a Sriracha shirt, mug, key chain, high heels(yes, these exist), or really any product other than the sauce, your addiction has probably reached an unhealthy level, and I’m right there with you.

If you can’t abstain from the flame of Huy Fong, some healthier alternatives include:

• chili pepper/ chili flakes
• cayenne pepper
• cumin
• turmeric
• Sky Valley by Organicville Sriracha Sauce

The bottom line is- everything in moderation. Try to resist overdose, but don’t deny yourself the divine experience of consuming that sweet and spicy taste of Sriracha.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/potassium-sorbate#risks

https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-cough-expectorants-cough

Facts About Sriracha, with Health Benefits, Tips, and Recipes

https://www.wellandgood.com/good-food/is-sriracha-actually-healthy/