Questioning Garlic

Garlic is good for you. There's no doubt about it, eating garlic makes you healthier. Or does it?

There are many claims made about the wonders of garlic in your diet. However, most of these claims come from hand-me-down folklore and not from rigorous analysis. Now that many herbal remedies are being studied in detail, it has become apparent that garlic is not the wonder-food many have believed it to be.

Claims about garlic's power range from fighting cancer to lowering cholesterol, from relieving headaches to stopping foot odor. While many claims are obviously silly, people tend to believe the cholesterol and anti-cancer aspects. It is these claims that are now being questioned.

Garlic does contain antioxidants, so there are cancer-fighting aspects to its consumption. Additionally, garlic has antibiotic effects, so it will kill many potential sources of illness in your diet. It is also a natural blood thinner, which may or may not be beneficial depending on your current state of health.

Garlic does not, however, decrease cholesterol levels. In fact, it may cause an increase of plaque in the bloodstream. This would actually increase heart-attack risk if it is verified.

Also, consumption of moderate or large quantities of garlic are associated with an increase in susceptibility to the common cold. Yes, eating garlic can cause you to get sick.

As for its cancer-fighting abilities, there are questions as to whether the chemicals in garlic are really anti-carcinogenic. Further study is needed to determine if they are.

About the only things we know for sure about garlic is that it has a strong taste, causes the breath to change odor, and that it makes everything taste better. And even that last point is contentious.

Resources:

• Garlic [en.wikipedia.org]
• Herb World News Online - Garlic [www.herbs.org]
• Alternative Medicine: The Powers of Garlic [www.uihealthcare.com]

Other news

• Interesting justification for wanting special treatment: Breast-feeding mom wins appeals court victory [www.msnbc.msn.com]
• Excuses, excuses: ‘Unwalkable’ neighborhoods thwart exercisers [www.msnbc.msn.com]
• Speaking of garlic breath... ‘Fitness Phone’ helps users stay healthy, avoid bad breath [www.msnbc.msn.com]

From the editor

One thing I like about Asian food is the simplicity of the dishes. I've always been a fan of sushi, stir-fry, teriyaki, pad-thai, and a million other soups and dishes from this region. A new favorite is a form of Korean BBQ which I've had several times in the last week.

Basically, there is a hot pan in which beef or chicken is being cooked with cabbage, onions, mushrooms, rice dough, sweet potato, and whatever else is available. To the side, raw, are bowls of vegetables such as peppers, garlic, onion, sprouts, and the like, and sauces for dipping. There is also a tray with lettuce and mint leaves.

In general, the way you eat this all is by either taking cooked items directly out of the pan with your chopsticks and eating it, or placing a mint leaf and lettuce leaf in your bowl, placing some meat and whatever combination of cooked and raw vegetables on it, wrapping it up and eating it by hand. It's simple, fast to prepare, and extremely healthy. What more could you want?

I have no doubt I'll be eating well while I'm here.

Healthy thoughts,
Jeff