Written by Is Salsa good to eat?
Salsa is one of the most popular foods in the world. It is used as a filling for tacos, cakes, and topping for snacks. Because it is one of the most delicious foods, it is well known in Mexico and America. But the amazing fact about salsa is that it is very nutritious and has many health benefits. You can add salsa to your favourite food list and every time you make a tasty salsa you can add more flavour to your food. In fact, even if you combine salsa with vegetables, you can see significant benefits, such as reducing sodium, fat, and calorie intake in your body. As you know, vegetables are a source of vitamins, minerals, and fibre for our body. Is salsa good to eat: 10 health benefits of salsa, scroll down to find out.
Nutritional Content of Salsa
Carbs
Salsa is high in carbs at 2.4 grams per 2 tablespoon serving, which equals 77% of total calories. One serving of salsa provides 0.6 grams of fibre, or about 2% of your daily intake based on a 2,000-calorie diet. There are 1.4 grams of total sugar in the salsa serving, which is about 3% of the recommended daily value. Salsa is also considered low on the glycaemic index. Different brands will have different sugars, so check the label carefully.
Protein
There is very little protein in salsa, with only 0.5 grams per serving. Like plant foods, the protein content is not a complete protein source.
Fat
Salsa is low in fat, containing only 0.06 grams per two tablespoons. No saturated or trans fats in salsa. You can add fat to your diet to get the carotenoids in salsa.
Vitamins and minerals
Salsa contains many vitamins and minerals from tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic and herbs. It is rich in lycopene and contains little vitamin A.
Although lycopene is a carotenoid, it is not a precursor of vitamin A like beta-carotene. Other nutrients that provide good value in salsa include potassium, vitamin E, and vitamin B6. Salsa is considered a low-calorie food. A tablespoon (35.7 grams) of salsa provides 12 calories, 77% of which are from carbohydrates.
10 Health Benefits of Salsa
- Packed with vitamin C
Salad is one of the best sources of vitamin C due to the presence of onions, tomatoes, and lime juice. Vitamin C promotes healthy aging and prevents heart disease. When heated, this nutrient will be lost because it isn’t heat stable. Raw salsa, however, is particularly beneficial for vitamin C absorption.
- Maintains blood sugar stability
Fibre is found naturally in the cell wall of plants, and salsa is full of fibre without any fat or sugar. This is a winning combo for anyone with type 2 diabetes who is looking to add flavour to their food without raising their blood sugar. Fibre helps us feel satisfied after we eat, and it won’t trigger a release of the body’s insulin.
- Keeps you hydrated
Over 95 percent of a tomato’s weight comes from water. To stay hydrated, adults should drink at least eight glasses of water a day and eat foods that are high in water, such as fruit and tomatoes. Your body relies on water for every cell to function, so adding more salsa to your routine will increase your body’s efficiency
- Cancer-fighting properties
Tomatoes contain the carotenoid lycopene, which has been linked to reduced risk of cancer. (Read more:Nutritional Facts And Health Benefits Of Tomatoes). Tomatoes used in salsa are high in lycopene. Lycopene is a bioactive compound containing carotenoid hydrocarbons. This diet is also responsible for the red colour of tomatoes, carrots, melons, grapefruit, and papaya.
For those who do not want to eat salsa fresca or salsa with artificial ingredients, this useful value of salsa will surprise them. Lycopene has been associated with many health benefits, one of the most popular being: “It works as an anti-cancer agent and helps reduce cancer in various parts of our body.”
- An all-natural metabolic boost
Capsaicin, a natural chemical compound found in peppers and spices, can boost your metabolic activity. Many adults complain that their metabolism is not what it was when they were younger. However, eating spicy foods, especially salsa, is a very effective way to speed up your metabolism. The compound capsaicin also promotes weight loss by increasing your body’s fat burning capabilities.
- Heart-friendly
The majority of dietary cholesterol comes from animal-based foods. Salsa only contains ingredients that are from plants, and it’s naturally cholesterol-free.
Onions and garlic are also common ingredients in salsa preparation. They help prevent many heart diseases by preventing strokes and blood clots.
Garlic and onion help to reduce cholesterol levels in our bodies. Onions contain flavonoids that act as substances that reduce the risk of heart disease. Garlic helps clear plaque growth in the arteries. Plaque is a fatty deposit that causes blockage of the blood supply to the heart, which can lead to a serious heart attack.
- Low in calories
Fresh vegetables, lime juice, natural oils and spices are used to make salsa. Everything is low in calories. One serving of mild salsa is 2 tablespoons, which is about 10 calories.
- Rich source of potassium
Most American adults don’t eat enough potassium-rich foods. Potassium helps us regulate our fluid and mineral balance. It’s a vital factor in regulating our blood pressure, as well. Our potassium needs are not met by most processed foods, so salsa is another option.
- Rich source of quercetin
Both onions and tomatoes contain quercetin, a type of antioxidant that has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine properties.
- Protects the kidneys
The limes used in salsa provide many health benefits because they are high in citric acid. Citric acid is a form of potassium citrate that prevents the formation of new kidney stones and helps dissolve previously formed stones.
Citric acid helps in the metabolism of food, gives energy, and stimulates the absorption of food in our body.
Bottom line
Whether you’re eating salsa on scrambled eggs, grilled fish, tacos, or any of your other favourite dishes, it’s a great addition to any meal! Not only will it provide numerous health benefits, but it’s also a healthy way to season your food without adding salt, sugar, or fat.
With all these obvious health benefits, there’s no denying that salsa is good to eat. Despite this, remember everything is okay in moderation. Especially if you are on a low sodium diet, some salsas are high in sodium which may not suit your taste or liking. Plus, salsa is an acidic food (not to mention a bit spicy), so if you’re prone to heartburn or acid reflux, salsa might not be for you.
So feel free to enjoy your yummy salsa anytime, any day
