Food of the week: Garlic

Food of the week: Garlic

I recently saw a show on the Food Network that showed garlic from the farm to the food we eat, and I thought, yes! That’s it! Garlic will be the food of the week.

Much like bacon, garlic is something people to tend to love or hate. (How can anyone hate garlic?) And this time vegetarians can be involved in the craze. There is little more satiating then the smell of garlic. When you first cut into a clove of garlic, the pungent smell releases into the air and you are wisked away to a magical place.

Back on earth, garlic is widely used by many cultures, Mediterranean, Indian, Tibetan, and the list goes on.

Benefits: (from the linked source unless otherwise noted)

• Good source of vitamins B6, C and selenium.


• Garlic contains compounds that inhibit lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, which help to reduce inflammation.


• Prevents weight gain.


• Garlic may lower your risk of several common cancers
  
  

  Study participants consuming the most garlic had a 39% reduced risk for cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, 57% reduced risk for esophageal cancer, 26% reduced risk for colorectal cancer, 44% reduced risk for laryngeal cancer, 10% reduced risk for breast cancer, 22% reduced risk for ovarian cancer, 19%reduced risk for prostate cancer, and 31% reduced risk for renal cell cancer, compared to those eating the least garlic.



• May help prevent atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease, as well as reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke


• Clinical studies are being conducted to verify significant medicinal qualities in garlic.


• Wards off vampires! Or does it?

Drawbacks:

• Stinky breath!


• Heartburn, upset stomach, and allergic reactions


• Garlic interferes with the effectiveness of saquinavir, a drug used for HIV.


• Garlic thins the blood, which can be dangerous if you have surgery or problems with blood not clotting.

Ways to eat garlic:

• In pasta, stir fry, or casserole. Anything really.


• I’ve heard about people eating a garlic sandwich (cloves on bread). I think that’s a bit too much for me.


• Garlic bread!

Little known fact:

Garlic can repel insects (What? Insects have no taste!)

"A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat." - Old New York Yiddish Saying