Anyone Up for Some Delicious Garlic Bread?
When you think of garlic you may think a vegetable which helps keep vampires away, but what you may not know is that this little vegetable has been used since 3000BC for medicinal purposes. There is no denying that garlic tastes amazing on bread layered with butter, but it also has healthful benefits for your body which include:
1. Anticancer properties potentially reducing the risk of stomach, esophagus, colon, breast, cervix, skin, uterine and lung cancers.
2. Components which help to kill the ‘bad’ bugs in your body.
3. Helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
4. Improve your immune system.
The main component which gives garlic all these healthy benefits is called ally methyl sulphide which unfortunately has a double-edged sword as this compound also gives you the bad breath after eating it. Ever wondered why you can’t get rid of the bad breath after eating garlic? It is because AMS is absorbed into your blood stream and then travels through to your lungs where it is exhaled. This means even after you brush your teeth the garlic breath comes back. So, is there any way to get rid of the bad garlic breath? Potentially drinking green tea and lemon juice, food or drinks with high amounts of water content, raw spinach, mint, parsley or apples and it can never hurt to brush, floss and use some mouth wash.
Now you know the reasons to include garlic in your diet as well as methods which can help prevent the dreaded garlic breath my top ways to include garlic are:
1. Part of my steamed vegetables to add flavor without salt (equals a happier heart)
2. As part of a tomato sauce using fresh tomatoes, basil and tuna under some delicious quinoa or whole grain pasta and topped with some low-fat cheese.
3. Crushed and spread on top of my steamed fish with some fresh herbs and spices.
4. As part of a hummus recipe and enjoy on top of a Corn Thins slices with some cucumber and sliced tomato.
Take home message: Garlic need not be feared due to the potential after effects, enjoy this delicious vegetable with the additional benefits of helping your body stay well and healthy.
Reference:
1. Rana, S. V., Pal, R., Vaiphei, K., Sharma, S. K., & Ola, R. P. (2011). Garlic in health and disease. Nutrition Research Reviews, 24(1), 60-71. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954422410000338