Garlic, an allium vegetable, is a popular ingredient in Greek cuisine and has been since ancient times. When you eat dishes containing raw or cooked fresh garlic, you also reap a variety of health benefits. Chopped, minced, or sliced, here’s how this pungent bulb enhances Greek food and your physical health. 

Why You Should Eat Garlic 

1. Kills Cancer Cells

Garlic bulbs are rich in allicin, a sulfur compound that is released when you chew, crush, or chop the bulb’s cloves. This compound has been shown to destroy cancer cells in the brain and reduce the risk of colon and stomach cancers in women. Greek salads and fish platters are excellent choices for adding garlic into your diet.     

2. Improves Heart Health

Properties in garlic help reduce blood pressure, putting less stress on your arteries. Consuming one large garlic clove daily, about 3 to 5 grams, lowers your risk of heart disease, according to the German Commission E, Europe’s counterpart to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Get your daily serving of this beneficial bulb by eating gyros with tzatziki, a flavorful topping that is often found in Greek cuisine and made with garlic and yogurt.

3.  Reduces Osteoarthritis

Women who ate allium-rich garlic had lower levels of osteoarthritis, including in their hip joints, when compared to those who did not eat it, as reported in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. To get in more garlic, try Melitzanosalata, an appetizer and sandwich spread made with eggplant, garlic, onions, and olive oil. Also, eat Skordalia, a dip featuring crushed garlic in a potato or nut-based puree.

For top-notch Greek cuisine, visit Yia Yia’s-Homemade Greek Food in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood. Traditional Greek cuisine is prepared with fresh ingredients, including garlic, and served with loving care. Whether it’s a special dish for an intimate meal or an extensive menu for a large corporate gathering, the chef and staff members will provide high-quality dishes and service. Learn more about their food options by visiting their website, or discuss your next event by calling (212) 452-1210.