Garlic, chili and potatoes: The wonder ingredients

MANILA, Philippines - Garlic, chili, and potatoes offer many surprising health benefits. Registered nutritionist-dietician Marjorie Melendrez explains now these ingredients keep our bodies healthy.

“Garlic has been widely used in traditional medicine to help maintain overall health. It has been regarded as a potent antiatherogenic food and assists in managing blood pressure and cholesterol level. Garlic is also known to have both antibacterial and antioxidant properties,” Melendrez says. “Chilies are packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant and immune system-booster. Chilies’ main component, capsaicin, is known to help regulate blood sugar levels.”

According to Joyce Jacobe, brand manager at the Purefoods-Hormel Company (PHC), a good way to maximize the benefits of garlic, chili and potatoes is to incorporate them into meals early in the day.

 “Filipinos are growing more aware that a well-balanced diet starts with a good breakfast. And since many who already enjoy Purefoods Corned Beef like to garnish it, we thought of already incorporating these popular ingredients associated with corned beef such as chili, garlic, and potatoes,” Jacobe says. “With this, we would be locking in additional health benefits and also making it easier and more cost-effective for busy moms and professionals to ensure that they and their families have a great-tasting meal that has good nutritional value.”