Here in Vermont, leftovers from Christmas dinner are almost gone and Hanukkah is a fading memory. It’s time to focus on the New Year. Having historically enjoyed very little will-power, New Year’s Resolutions have been the bane of my winter health plans. But in 2011, Garlic will help me meet my dietary challenges.
Like many Vermonters, health and fitness usually take top-billing on the list of resolutions for 2011. This year I have decided to take a more holistic approach to diet and exercise. I vow to savor the things I love more: eat better food more slowly, spend more time outdoors doing the things I love, spend more time playing and having fun. Having fun is the best exercise; eating consciously is the best diet. This year’s conscious eating will definitely consist of more garlic!
While many of us are familiar with garlic’s reputed health benefits and anti-biotic properties, few are keen to the research suggesting it can also aid in weight loss. Garlic is bursting with vitamins and nutrients including protein, potassium, Vitamins A, B, B2 and C, Calcium, Zinc and many others, which all aid health and wellness. But garlic’s most notorious compound is allicin, which can suppress appetites. Here’s how:
How does Garlic help in Weight Loss:
Garlic acts as an appetite suppressant as it gives the brain signals of satiety when eaten. Hence, a person would be less inclined to overeat. Garlic also increases the body’s metabolism. Garlic is supposed to stimulate the nervous system to release the adrenalin hormone – thereby increasing the metabolism. High metabolism can in turn help you to burn calories and lose weight.
This article also mentions that eating garlic bread may also be helpful for weight loss. This writer has obviously never eaten garlic bread at my table, where butter and olive oil cavort to great effect leaving a trail of evidence down the chins of happy diners. Perhaps the dynamic duo of butter and olive oil have a place in this new paradigm of conscious eating?
Wishing you health and happiness for 2011!
Green Mountain Garlic