The Health Benefits of the Trinity Roots

The combination of garlic, onion and ginger has been utilized in Indian cuisines for years; the three of these magical roots are seen as staples in Indian kitchens. Although they are used in this case for their delicious flavors, is there more to these three roots? Yes. In fact,consuming a diet rich in all three of them can lead to great health benefits!

Garlic may cause certain interactions with various medicines and antibiotics, so make sure to exercise caution and check the labels of your medications!

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used by humans for more than 7000 years to date. Although it is known for its bitter, distinctive taste, as well as its tendency to cause bad breath and repel vampires (the chance was to good to pass up), it also happens to contain powerful medicinal properties, such as:

• Antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties: garlic can prevent and control bacterial infections, as well as prevent food poisoning as it is thought kill Escherichia coli (commonly referred to as E. coli), Salmonella enteritidis, and other harmful bacteria. The antibacterial properties of garlic can be used to fight acne! Try rubbing a clove on a pimple for quicker results! The antiviral properties can help prevent sickness and the antifungal properties can be used to help cure things such as athlete's foot!
• Anti-inflammatory properties: chronic inflammation is said to cause many health problems such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and many others. Although cutting things like processed foods and trans fats out of your diet would be one of the best ways to battle this, garlic can help as well! These anti-inflammatory properties can also help soothe psoriasis, help people loose weight (garlic is thought to have a fat cell regulating property) and even reduce allergy symptoms!
• Protection against free-radicals: the antioxidants in garlic protect against free-radicals, substances that are known to cause harmful damage to the body and diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
• Anti-clogging properties: the compounds of garlic can help prevent blood clots as well as the clogging of blood vessels and the hardening of the arteries.
• Diabetes regulation: garlic can increase insulin release and help regulate sugar levels in diabetics.
• Blood pressure regulation: garlic can help control blood pressure by indirectly dilating blood vessels and blocking angiotensin II, a protein that causes blood vessels to contract and increase blood pressure.

Although in recent times many have claimed that onions will turn toxic if stored in the fridge, these claims are not 100% scientifically backed. Nevertheless, keep up to date with your research and keep an eye out for this one!

Onions (Allium cepa) are thought to have been cultivated for food around the same time as garlic, roughly 7000 years ago. Onions are closely related to garlic so do not be surprised to see some of the same health benefits listed below:

• Improved immune system: the flavanoids in onions provide immune system boosting properties.
• Regulation of blood sugar levels: onions help modify blood sugar and help prevent and ward off diabetes.
• Increase of good cholesterol (HDL), thining of blood (which helps prevent against blood clots), reduction in asthma and chronic bronchitis symptoms, hay fever, atherosclerosis and infections: quercitin, an antioxidant found in onions, has been boasted has providing all of these health benefits and possibly even more!
• Destruction of free radicals: the antioxidant properties of onions help attack and destroy free radicals that can be the cause for stomach ulcers and which are also linked to many health problems including cancer.
• Regulation of hormonal balances in the body and protection of the nerves: this occurs due to various compounds naturally found in onions.

Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale. Ginger cultivation is thought to have started in Asia more than 2000 years ago. Although it has many different uses, below are some of the health benefits:

• Soothing effect: ginger is used frequently to help soothe upset stomachs, cramps, nausea and diarrhea. It also helps to break down phlegm and can help control cold symptoms.
• Regulation of blood circulation: ginger contains many nutrients that help maintain blood circulation such as zinc, chromium and magnesium.
• Improvement in nutrient absorption: ginger does this by stimulating enzyme secretion in the body, leading to more efficient digestion and therefore better absorption of nutrients.
• Prevention of colon and ovarian cancers: ginger may slow the growth of cancer cells in the colon as well as in the ovaries.
• Strengthens immune system: ginger helps increase immunity by battling bacterial infections.
• Asthma reduction: ginger contains natural compounds that help reduce the symptoms of asthma.