Garlic Breath...

Garlic is one of those ingredients that I always have on hand: there’s a bulb on my kitchen counter at all times. I love it because not only does garlic add flavor and aroma to any and just about all my dishes, it also offers health benefits too! Studies show garlic may lower breast, colon, stomach, throat and skin cancer risks. It’s heart-healthy, too, as it’s been shown to prevent clotting. The secret to all these health benefits - sulfides.

Unfortunately, those same good-for-you sulfide compounds leave you with dragon-breath aftereffects that can last days. If you’re that person who saves the parsley garnish to chew on after a garlicky meal, good for you—because new research suggests certain foods may offer a remedy.

Apples, spinach, basil, parsley: Studies show these and other phenolic-rich foods help kick garlic breath. The polyphenols (compounds that act like antioxidants) break down the smelly sulfur compounds in garlic. But only when they’re mixed with garlic. For the biggest benefit, combine garlic and one of these foods in the same dish; eating them in different dishes at the same meal might help too.

Milk: A new study suggests that milk is perhaps even more effective at banishing garlic breath—particularly if you drink it before or during a garlicky meal. Researchers found that milk offered greater odor-reducing effects for garlic breath than other foods previously tested—prunes, basil, burdock, eggplant and mushrooms. “The water [in milk] rinses the mouth, but it’s not just the water; it’s the fat. That’s why whole milk was more effective than skim.

Green tea: Can’t stomach the idea of milk with your Asian stir-fry? Drinking green tea before or during a meal may also mitigate garlic breath, as the polyphenols reduce volatile sulfur compounds.

From blog 2/11/10 - We use this in just about everything!  I swear it has kept the vampires away – OK – how about just the winter common colds!!! “This tasty bulb has a mild cholesterol-lowering effect and also keeps LDL from building up in the arteries and contributing to plaque. You need to consume several gloves a day to get the protective benefits.” We fit it into our meals, as often as we can in our cooking, roasting, sautéing or marinating.   It pairs well with just about everything from roasted meats and poultry to vegetables, soups, and stews. We often use it in our vinaigrette dressings! If you are eating at our place you never have to mind your garlic breath, because everyone around you will have the same aroma!