The Secret Health Benefits Of Adding Salsa To EVERYTHING
August 23, 2020 by Justine Schwartz
If you have a spicier palette, you might already have the natural inclination to top everything with salsa and hot sauce. And nutritionists would say that’s a great thing! From immune-boosting to cancer fighting (and not to mention, metabolism-boosting) salsa has so many health qualities. Here’s what the experts told us:
READ MORE: The One Metabolism-Boosting Topping You Should Put On EVERYTHING For Weight Loss
“Salsa is a low-calorie addition to meals and snacks,” Becky Kerkenbush, MS, RD-AP, CSG, CD, FAND, of the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics tells us. “Add it to tacos, top your baked potatoes with it instead of sour cream, combine it with chips for a snack, cover your eggs in the morning for a nutrient-packed breakfast, or smother your burger or burrito with it for a kick. You can also use it in place of ketchup on top of meatloaf and add it to stuffed peppers.
“Salsa typically includes tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, lime juice and jalapenos. These ingredients provide antioxidants, Vitamin C and fiber. Vitamin C may increase iron absorption, decrease blood pressure, boost immunity, reduce the risk for chronic disease and plays a role in wound healing. Fiber can help manage blood sugars, reduce cholesterol levels, aid with satiety and promote good bowel health.”
“Salsa is a delicious and nutrient rich ingredient that can enhance the flavor of many recipes,” nutritionist Lisa Richards of The Candida Diet. “Adding salsa to a wide variety of dishes can increase the amount of nutrients and variety of foods an individual typically eats by improving their flavor and texture.”