Tom Parker Bowles Credits Tabasco for Health Benefits

Restaurant critic Tom Parker Bowles has revealed that Tabasco sauce is his go-to condiment, even traveling with it due to his dissatisfaction with airline food. On the podcast "Don't Judge Me," Parker Bowles, 51, discussed his love for the hot sauce with nutritionist Gabriela Peacock.

Peacock, who founded the supplement brand GP Nutrition and whose clients include Princess Beatrice, explained the health benefits of the ingredients in Tabasco sauce. The sauce is made with just three ingredients: tabasco peppers, distilled vinegar, and salt. The capsaicin in tabasco peppers, the compound responsible for their heat, is noted for its potential health advantages.

"Chillies are the ultimate fruit," Parker Bowles stated. "They give huge pleasure but also pain. They are used to make pepper spray, but they can also be used to cure. They have huge medicinal properties."

He elaborated on the benefits, saying, "They can bring down swelling, and there have been initial tests on tumours and other things. They are a miracle ingredient, and they are my favourite ingredient."

Peacock concurred, adding that chillies are "full of antioxidants, which, as you said, are anti-inflammatory. They also contain polyphenols, which suppress inflammation."

She further explained that capsaicin can boost metabolism and act as an antioxidant, suggesting that consuming a high quantity of chillies could aid in weight loss. Studies indicate that capsaicin may help suppress appetite and slightly increase calorie expenditure.

Parker Bowles also touched upon his efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle, including moderating alcohol consumption. He mentioned trying to abstain from drinking on specific days of the week, particularly as winter approaches, and aiming to incorporate more gym visits to counteract periods of excess.