The new USDA dietary guidelines are out in the form of an easy to understand “plate” icon, but the plate is missing something – a nice, big Christopher Ranch California Heirloom Garlic bulb. Okay, I know we won’t be getting any special recognition in this instance, but garlic does deserve a prominent place in the area of nutrition.
Acccording to today’s article in the New York Times by Martha Rose Shulman: “Garlic has been known for its therapeutic benefits since ancient times. Studies have linked it to lower cholesterol, serum triglyceride levels and blood pressure. Sulfur-containing compounds, including Allicin, which give garlic its pungency, along with high levels of vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese and selenium seem to be responsible for garlic’s beneficial cardiovascular effects. Allicin helps to prevent platelets in the blood from sticking together and is also a powerful antibacterial and antiviral agent that may be useful in weight control.”
Hmmm, methinks the USDA would need a very big plate, indeed, to hold all of garlic’s benefits, but even if my campaign to add garlic isn’t viable (feel free to Tweet, my friends…) garlic certainly deserves a prominent place on your plate! Not only because of its health benefits but because garlic makes most of the food groups: vegetables, proteins, grains and even fruit (try roasted garlic with pineapple, my dears!) more appealing and delicious. So delicious, in fact, you just might be tempted to lick your plate clean.