Barbecue sauces are ‘good for your health’

According to a team of biologists from the University of Western Ontario in Canada, popular BBQ sauces and marinades incorporate a range of spices, fruits and vegetables which contain natural antioxidants.

Their study, published in March 2010, found that recipes commonly available at supermarkets under various brand names - such jerk sauce, garlic and herb, honey garlic, roasted red pepper and sesame ginger teriyaki – include chemicals which can help fight cancer, heart problems, strokes, Alzheimer’s, arthritis and cataracts.

Dr Raymond Thomas, the research team leader said, “Herbs and spices used in BBQ preparations are excellent sources of antioxidants”.

His research established high quantities of antioxidants in all sauces tested. Even though cooking reduced the antioxidant qualities of the sauces by about half, tests after barbecuing showed they still contain significant amounts of the health boosting compounds.