Barbecue Sauce

by Mccormick

A conventional barbecue sauce with moderate sugar content and common food additives. While it contains some beneficial spices, the high sugar content and processed ingredients make it best used sparingly.

• Water – safe · Primary liquid base for the sauce, provides moisture and consistency.
• Tomato Paste – beneficial · Concentrated tomatoes providing lycopene, an antioxidant linked to heart health and cancer protection.
• Sugar – controversial · Added refined sugar that contributes to blood sugar spikes and empty calories when consumed regularly.
• Spirit Vinegar – safe · Provides acidity and tangy flavor, may have mild digestive benefits.
• Molasses – safe · Natural sweetener with trace minerals like iron and potassium, though still adds sugar content.
• Salt – safe · Essential mineral for flavor enhancement, though contributes to sodium content.
• Onion – beneficial · Provides flavor and contains quercetin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Black Pepper – beneficial · Contains piperine which may enhance nutrient absorption and has antioxidant properties.
• Paprika – beneficial · Rich in vitamin C and carotenoids, provides antioxidant benefits and natural color.
• Chilli Pepper – beneficial · Contains capsaicin which may boost metabolism and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Clove – beneficial · High in antioxidants and eugenol, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Allspice – beneficial · Contains antioxidant compounds and may have digestive benefits.
• Cumin – beneficial · Contains antioxidants and may support digestion and blood sugar control.
• Maize Starch – safe · Corn-derived thickening agent that's generally well-tolerated and neutral.
• Dark Brown Sugar – controversial · Additional sugar source that increases overall sugar content and potential for blood sugar spikes.
• Mustard Seed – safe · Provides flavor and contains compounds with potential anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Garlic – beneficial · Contains allicin and other sulfur compounds with antimicrobial and cardiovascular benefits.
• Smoke Flavouring – controversial · Artificial flavoring that mimics smoke taste, generally safe but lacks the benefits of natural smoking.
• Guar Gum – safe · Natural fiber from guar beans that acts as a stabilizer, may provide minor prebiotic benefits.
• Xanthan Gum – safe · Fermentation-derived thickener that's generally well-tolerated, though may cause digestive upset in sensitive individuals.
• Oregano – beneficial · Rich in antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds, provides health benefits beyond flavor.
• Flavouring – controversial · Unspecified artificial or natural flavoring agents, lack of transparency makes assessment difficult.

Rich in antioxidant spices

Contains beneficial lycopene from tomato paste

No high fructose corn syrup

No seed oils

Anti-inflammatory compounds from herbs and spices

High sugar content from multiple sources

Contains artificial flavoring

Ultra-processed food category

May contribute to blood sugar spikes

Easy to overconsume due to palatability