Eat Groovy Q & A: Why Is Garlic Good For Your Heart?

Question: Why Is Garlic Good For Your Heart?

Answer: Studies suggest that garlic can help to lower cholesterol and thin the blood. According to The Best Things You Can Eat: For Everything from Aches to Zzzz, the Definitive Guide to the Nutrition-Packed Foods that Energize, Heal, and Help You Look Great by David Grotto, "Garlic lowers LDL by 

dampening the activity of the main cholesterol-producing enzyme in the liver. Eating as little as a clove a day has been shown to rev up the body's ability to dissolve blood clots, which can precipitate a heart attack by sealing off plaque-filled arteries."

Garlic Recipes To Try:
How to Make Garlic Roasted Cauliflower - Oven Roasted Cauliflower Recipe!
Broccoli Gratin Recipe
How To Make Delicious Grilled Veggie Kabobs

More Eat Groovy Q&A:
Eat Groovy Q & A: Are Steel-Cut Oats Healthier For You Than Rolled Oats?
Eat Groovy Q & A: Can Spicy Mustard Boost Your Metabolism?
Eat Groovy Q&A: Does Frozen Yogurt Contain Live Cultures?

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5 Potential Health Benefits of Ginger

1. Ginger may help to relieve joint pain. According to The Top 100 Foods for a Younger You: 100 Remedies to Turn Back the Clock by Sarah Merson, "Because ginger is such an effective anti-inflammatory, it is among the most respected herbs for the treatment of joint problems such as arthritis." 

2. Ginger may help to relieve nausea. Ginger has been recommended as an especially great natural remedy for those experiencing motion sickness or morning sickness during pregnancy. In one study of women in the early stages of pregnancy, over half reported a reduction in pregnancy related nausea and vomiting after taking a ginger capsule. Ginger is an extremely safe remedy for pregnant women compared to many antivomiting drugs which can cause severe birth defects. 

3. Ginger may help to treat ovarian cancer. According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto, "Ginger induced apoptis (programmed cell death) and autophagy (cells digesting themselves) in ovarian cancer cells. Ginger was also effective at controlling inflammation, thus stopping the cancer cells from growing." Other studies suggest that ginger may help to treat other types of cancer as well. The cancer fighting properties of ginger are likely due to its powerful antioxidant properties. 

4. Ginger can help to improve the absorption of essential nutrients. Ginger has been long recommended for its ability to help promote healthy digestion. Ginger contains unique enzymes which may help to soothe the stomach lining and break down proteins. Ginger can also help to relieve bloating and stomach cramps. 

5. Ginger may improve circulation. Many people eat more ginger during the winter and holiday season and there may be a good reason to! The circulation stimulating properties of ginger can help to warm you up. The blood thinning qualities of ginger may also help to lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of blood clots.

We hope you found this information helpful! For lots of great healthy eating tips be sure to follow Eat Groovy on Twitter (@EatGroovy) and subscribe to our blog via email here.

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5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Licorice!

1. When many people think of licorice, they think of certain candies, but the true licorice content in most candy is actually very low. In fact, some do not contain real licorice root at all! Twizzlers aside, real licorice root is a popular herb with some great health benefits.

2. Licorice may help treat certain cancers. According to http://www.ilovelicorice.com/, "Current research conducted at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, supports the use of licorice in the treatment of prostate and breast cancer."

3. In the United States, anise seed is commonly used as a substitute for licorice flavoring, but it is not related to the true licorice plant.

4. Although licorice root can have many health benefits, you should not eat real licorice on a regular basis if you have high blood pressure. The glycyrrhizin content can raise blood pressure.

5. Licorice is the second most prescribed herb in China, with the first being Ginseng.

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Rosemary!

1. The rosemary fragrance has been used in aromatherapy since the fourteenth century. In particular, the scent of rosemary is thought to be a memory-stimulant. The scent is also thought to relieve stress and reduce anxiety.

2. The name originates from the Latin word, rosmarinus, which means "mist of the sea."

3. Rosemary may help treat Alheimer's. According to The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why, "Rosemary contains several compounds that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter in the brain and one that is needed for memory and healthy brain function. (In fact, one drug used for Alzheimer's-Aricept-works similarly, by interfering with acetylcholine breakdown.)"

4. There is a tradition of placing rosemary sprigs on graves to show that loved ones will not be forgotten.

5. Rosemary is part of the mint family.

5 Reasons To Eat Turmeric!

Turmeric, also known as Indian Saffron, is a spice from the ginger family, typically used in its dried powdered form, and is frequently used in Middle Eastern and South Asian cooking, especially in India where over 90% of the turmeric in the world is produced. It is responsible for making curry and mustard yellow-orange in color. Turmeric has many health benefits and here are just five reasons to think about adding more of this super spice to your diet!

1) Turmeric May Help To Prevent Dementia and Alzheimer's

Turmeric contains a phytochemical called curcumin which has powerful antioxidant and disease fighting properites. According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto, "One mouse study confirmed that curcumin significantly lowers oxidized proteins and inflammatory cytokines associated with Alzheimer's. Elderly people who ate curry at least once a month scored better on tests to measure cognitive function than those who reported they ate curry less frequently."

2) Turmeric Can Help To Alleviate Arthritis and Joint Inflammation

Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, it is frequently used for the treatment of arthritis, and can also be useful for muscle pains, joint inflammation, and carpel tunnel syndrome. According to studies, turmeric may be as effective as anti-inflammatory medications, without any toxic side effects.

3) Turmeric May Help Prevent the Growth of Cancerous Tumors

According to The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why by Jonny Bowden, "There are at least thirty published studies indicating that curcumin has an antitumor effect (either reducing the number or size of tumors or the percentage of animals who developed them)." In particular, turmeric has been linked to the prevention and/or treatment of skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer.

4) Turmeric Is Great For Your Liver

Turmeric can help to protect and detoxify the liver. Turmeric has been used to help treat liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and jaundice. Promising studies also suggest that curcumin may even kill liver cancer according to http://www.greenmedinfo.com. The liver protective qualities of turmeric are similar to those found in milk thistle and artichokes. 

5) Turmeric Is Great For Your Skin

Because of it powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is great for your skin. It may help with the treatment of skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. It has also been associated with the treatment of acne, dark spots, and hyper-pigmentation. As a powerful antioxidant, turmeric can help to slow the aging process, prevent wrinkles, and improve the skin's elasticity.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about this delicious spice! If you love spices, you may also be interested in checking out 3 Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper!, 5 Spices That May Boost Your Metabolism!, and/or Why Is Ginger So Good For You?

Eat Groovy Q&A: Can Spicy Mustard Boost Your Metabolism?

Question: Can spicy mustard boost your metabolism?

Answer: Yes! You may have heard that hot peppers can boost your metabolism and spicy mustard works the same way. It increases your body temperature causing your body to burn more calories as it uses energy to cool down. According to a recent article in examiner.com, Scientists at England's Oxford Polytechnic Institute recently found that eating just one teaspoon of hot mustard may boost metabolism 20 to 25% for several hours after eating! Mustard is also likely to be beneficial to your health in other ways, because mustard seeds are a good source of health promoting nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and glucosinolates. Plus, mustard is very low in calories (only about 5 calories per teaspoon) compared to other condiments such as mayo, which makes it a great choice for those looking to add flavor while watching their weight.

Related Articles:

3 Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper!

Spice It Up! Here Are Three Spices That Are Great For Your Health!

5 Spices That Boost Your Metabolism!

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Oregano!

1. Ancient Greeks would crown a bride and groom with oregano laurels during the ceremony because oregano was believed to banish sadness.

2. The name oregano means "joy of the mountain." It comes from the Greek "oros" meaning mountain and "ganos" meaning joy.

3. When in bloom oregano has beautiful flowers that are also edible.

4. Oregano is anti-bacterial. It can help destroy harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses.

5. Oregano is not a particular herb but rather a particular herb flavor. There are several different kinds of plants that have this flavor and are known as oregano.

3 Health Benefits Of Cayenne Pepper!

1. Cayenne pepper is great for the digestive system. It can help ease an upset stomach, relieve constipation, and protect the stomach lining from damage. Although cayenne pepper has an unfair reputation for causing stomach ulcers, it's likely the opposite is true. Cayenne pepper may actually help prevent ulcers by killing bacteria and secreting protective juices.

2. Cayenne pepper improves circulation. It increases blood flow and may reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Cayenne pepper may also help prevent blood clotting that can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

3. Cayenne pepper may help with weight loss. It increases metabolism which increases the bodies ability to burn excess fat. Also, cayenne pepper is thought to be an appetite suppressant.

Spice It Up! Here Are 3 Spices That Are Great For Your Health!

1. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has the ability to moderate blood sugar. According to C. Leigh Broadhurst, Ph.D., author of Prevent Treat and Reverse Diabetes (Natural Health Guide), phytochemicals in cinnamon called chalcone polymers can increase glucose metabolism in cells twentyfold or more. This is great news, given the growing epidemic of diabetes. Cinnamon has other great health benefits as well. It is anti-inflammatory and may be helpful for those suffering from muscle pain, stiffness, or menstrual discomfort. Cinnamon is also great for the digestive system and may help to relieve abdominal discomfort and nausea.

2. Garlic
Garlic is one of the oldest medicinal foods in the world, and not without good reason. It's health benefits are many! It can help to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It can reduce plaque, lowering the risk for heart attacks and strokes. There is also evidence that garlic may help to prevent cancer. The antibacterial properties of garlic can help to prevent colds and other illnesses. Garlic has also been linked to lower blood pressure and the prevention of weight gain. It's worth noting that many of the benefits of garlic lie in a compound called allicin that is released when garlic cloves are crushed, so it's likely that the more finely garlic is chopped the better it is for you. If you're looking for some new ways to include more garlic in your diet, check out the book below for hundreds of great recipes!
                                                               
3. Ginger
Most people are already aware of ginger's ability to soothe an upset stomach, but the health benefits don't stop there! Ginger is also a rich source of antioxidants which help to destroy free radicals in the body which lead to disease and accelerated aging. It also has blood thinning qualities and may help to improve circulation. Ginger is also thought to be helpful in strengthening the immune system.


                                                                       

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Cinnamon

1. Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree belonging to the Lauraceae family.

2. Cinnamon is used as a preservative in many cultures and is helpful in keeping harmful bacteria, like salmonella, at bay.

3. Cinnamon is considered to be good for your health. It has shown to be helpful treating various diseases including diabetes, arthritis, high cholesterol, and certain kinds of cancer.

4. Some "lip enhancing" lip glosses use cinnamon because it can cause swelling of the lips.

5. A teaspoon of cinnamon has about 6 calories.

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Basil

1) It's name is of Greek origin and means "royalty."

2) Various kinds of basil have different scents because they contain different proportions of oils.

3) In some cultures basil is a sign of love and devotion.

4) Some herbalists recommend basil as a digestive aid.

5) Basil oil has been shown to have strong anti-bacterial traits.

Is Pepper Good For You?

It seems like most people are aware of the negative consequences that consuming too much salt can have on the body. Few people, however, know much about black pepper. Is salt's favorite sidekick healthy or not? Studies have shown that in moderation it can certainly be part of a healthy diet. It helps aid digestion, decreases gas in your intestines, and may help increase fat cell metabolism. Black pepper also contains antioxidants which may help protect the body against damaging free radicals. Black pepper can also make other healthy herbs more effective.

Why is Garlic Good For You?

Garlic is known to have anti-viral and heart-protecting properties. It contains a compound called allicin, created when garlic is crushed, which helps eliminate cholesterol from the body, detoxifies the liver, and acts as a potent anti-inflammatory. Garlic, which can be a powerful antioxidant, also helps to slow down aging by helping in the formation of new cells. If you are afraid of the dreaded garlic breath that many garlic lovers hate, citrus and parsley are said to help.