Featuring Andy De Santis, RD, MPH, Registered Dietician; Dr. Kevin Zorn, Urologist; and Nick Pratap, Exercise Physiologist

Duration: 2 minutes, 19 seconds

Andy De Santis: Garlic is one of those things that may be easy for some to live without, but that there are absolutely benefits to incorporating regularly. It is part of the Allium family of vegetables, which also includes leeks and onions.

Although garlic may not be particularly high in specific vitamins or minerals, it is one of relatively few foods that contain highly fermentable prebiotic fiber, which acts preferentially as an energy source for gut bacteria and contributes to their flourishing. This may partially explain why garlic is also implicated with good immune health, since prebiotic fiber stimulate the gut bacteria to create compounds knows as SCFAs, which contribute positively to the functionality of both the digestive tract and the human immune response. Garlic is also home to the flavinoid quercetin, another unique compound that is often associated with regular cognitive aging, heart health, and more.

For more information, contact your local registered dietitian, who can help you create a customized nutrition plan, which will significantly improve both your physical and mental health.

Dr. Kevin Zorn: Garlic and onion are both potentially anti-inflammatory and home to host of unique sulfur-based antioxidant compounds like allicin. Men who consume onion and garlic most frequently, as per observational evidence, tend to have a lower risk of prostate enlargement, as compared to those who consume those foods the least.

Nick Pratap: If you or someone you know is trying to manage a chronic health condition, it’s important to consider making healthy lifestyle choices. In conjunction with a prescribed exercise program, nutrition can also play a huge role in disease management, recovery, and mental health. If you are unsure about what foods you should be eating, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your family physician, local nutritionist, or specialist.

Presenter: Andy De Santis, Registered Dietitian, Toronto, ON

Local Practitioners: Registered Dietitian