Introduction
Sriracha is a popular hot sauce that has become a staple in many kitchens. It adds a spicy kick to dishes and can be used to enhance the flavor of a variety of foods. But did you know that eating Sriracha can have some surprising side effects? Dietitians have identified four potential side effects of eating Sriracha that you may not have considered. From increased heartburn to potential weight gain, here are four surprising side effects of eating Sriracha, according to dietitians.
4 Surprising Side Effects of Eating Sriracha, According to Dietitians
Sriracha is a popular hot sauce that has become a staple in many kitchens. It’s made from chili peppers, garlic, sugar, salt, and vinegar, and it adds a spicy kick to any dish. But while it may be delicious, there are some surprising side effects of eating Sriracha that you should be aware of. Here are four of them, according to dietitians.
1. It Can Cause Heartburn
Sriracha is made with chili peppers, which contain capsaicin. This compound can cause heartburn in some people, especially if they are sensitive to spicy foods. If you experience heartburn after eating Sriracha, it’s best to avoid it or limit your intake.
2. It Can Irritate Your Skin
The capsaicin in Sriracha can also irritate your skin if it comes into contact with it. If you get Sriracha on your skin, it’s best to wash it off immediately with soap and water. If you experience any burning or itching, you should seek medical attention.
3. It Can Increase Your Blood Pressure
The capsaicin in Sriracha can also increase your blood pressure. This can be dangerous for people who already have high blood pressure, so it’s important to monitor your blood pressure if you’re eating Sriracha regularly.
4. It Can Cause Dehydration
The salt in Sriracha can cause dehydration if you eat too much of it. This can lead to headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms. To avoid dehydration, make sure to drink plenty of water when you eat Sriracha.
Eating Sriracha can be a delicious way to spice up your meals, but it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects. If you experience any of the above symptoms, it’s best to limit your intake or avoid it altogether.
If you need a little something to spice up, well, just about anything—sriracha is the obvious answer. From eggs, dips, meat, toast, vegetables, salads, and even ice cream (yes, this is a thing), sriracha can take literally any dish from boring to zingy and flavorful.
But, while you’re busy treating your tastebuds by slathering the red stuff on your avocado toast and egg salads, sriracha could be affecting your body in surprising ways.
Sriracha stands apart from other hot sauces because of its thickness and sweet garlic-y taste. The ingredient list is short with just chili peppers, sugar, garlic, vinegar, and salt (as well as preservatives and thickeners in some brands). And, nutritionally, there’s not much there.
One teaspoon of sriracha has 6 calories, 1.2 grams of carbohydrates, and 138 milligrams of sodium.
But, if sriracha is your main flavor enhancer or if you’re planning to eat a dish that has a lot of the red stuff in it, here are four side effects of eating sriracha. Read on, and for more, don’t miss 5 Surprising Side Effects of Drinking Too Much Apple Cider Vinegar.
Read the original article on Eat This, Not That!
Topping your meal with sriracha could give your metabolism a boost.
“One of the main ingredients in sriracha sauce is chili peppers, which contain capsaicin,” says Elysia Cartlidge, MAN, RD, registered dietitian and founder of Haute & Healthy Living. “Capsaicin not only gives the sauce its fiery taste but can also act as a thermogenic chemical, producing heat that may potentially stimulate your metabolism and help burn fat.”
In one small study, researchers found that people who ate capsaicin with each meal were less likely to overeat and had higher levels of satiety and fullness compared to those who did not eat capsaicin with their meals.
Sign up for our newsletter!
Make better eating choices every day by signing up for our newsletter!
Some brands of sriracha use sodium bisulfite as a preservative. “Sriracha may cause an adverse reaction in those with sulfite sensitivity, resulting in wheezing, hives, and stomach upset,” says Melissa Mitri, MS, RD of Melissa Mitri Nutrition.
Sulfite allergies are most common in people who also have asthma, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The chances of having a sulfite allergy if you do have asthma are between 1 in 40 and 1 in 100. If you know that you’re sensitive to sulfites, the key to avoiding negative reactions is avoiding sulfite-containing foods including some types of wine, shrimp, potatoes, and condiments.
If spicy foods tend to run right through you, you’re not alone. “The spice in sriracha comes from capsaicin which can irritate your gut leading to a looser bowel movement,” says Amanda Sauceda, MS, RD.
When you eat foods with capsaicin, a protein called the vanilloid receptor 1 (or TRPV1) is stimulated to let your brain know that your insides are burning. To protect your insides, your body releases endorphins to block pain and sends the capsaicin through the digestive tract so quickly, that, for some people, the colon doesn’t have time to absorb water as it usually does.
“You may even notice you have ‘spicy’ poops,” adds Sauceda. With more pain receptors in the anus, the capsaicin can cause a burning sensation as it exits the body.
If you’re no stranger to acid reflux, eating sriracha could make your symptoms worse.
Researchers have found that the capsaicin in red chili peppers causes food to sit in your stomach for a longer period of time, increasing the chances of acid reflux, while also irritating the esophagus. This can make your heartburn even more painful.
If capsaicin isn’t enough to do the trick, the garlic in sriracha can add to heartburn symptoms as well. Between your stomach and esophagus is a little flap called the esophageal sphincter. This flap should stay closed to keep stomach acid from entering your esophagus. Garlic has the potential to weaken the pressure on this sphincter, increasing the chances of heartburn after eating it.
Kelsey Lorencz, RDN