BENEFITS OF TOMATOES AND GARLIC

Tomatoes and garlic contain different properties that can benefit many conditions and illnesses. Garlic has been used medicinally since the early 18th century, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Tomatoes offer your body antioxidants and vitamins. Consult with your physician prior to using garlic or tomatoes for therapeutic or medicinal uses.

 

 
Decrease Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Garlic may help decrease the progression of cardiovascular disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Garlic helps decrease hypertension and platelet aggregation, which allows your blood to flow more easily. It also helps decrease total cholesterol levels along with low density lipoprotein, or LDL, levels while increasing high density lipoprotein, or HDL, levels. Garlic also helps reduce the risk of two other markers that contribute to cardiovascular disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center; C-reactive protein and homocysteine. There is some evidence that the lycopene in tomatoes may have a positive affect on cholesterol, but further studies are needed.
 
Boost Your Immune System
Tomatoes and garlic may help combat the common cold, according to the MayoClinic.com and the University of Maryland Medical Center. Tomatoes can help decrease the risk of colds since they are rich in vitamin C. The UMMC reports that garlic helps decrease the risk of catching a cold and if you do catch the common cold, the symptoms tend to dissipate more quickly in those who consume garlic than they do in those who do not consume garlic.

Reduce Cancer Risk
Garlic and tomatoes may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center and the MayoClinic.com. Garlic may help reduce the risk cancer, particularly colon and stomach cancer. Garlic also helps counteract nausea related to chemotherapy treatments. The lycopene and other antioxidents in tomatoes may decrease the risk of cancer in general as well as cervical cancer and breast cancer in particular, although more research is needed to prove these benefits, according to the MayoClinic.com.