Do Onions and Garlic Prevent Cancer?
Homecare in Monroe NJ: Do Onions and Garlic Prevent Cancer?
Onions and garlic are popular ingredients in all kinds of food. They add a lot of flavor without adding salt or fat. Onions and garlic grow all over the world and are part of the allium family of vegetables. Past studies have indicated that allium vegetables contain substances that may help to prevent cancer. A recent study supports those claims.
About the Study
The study, conducted in China, involved 833 people with colorectal cancer and 833 people without it, who served as the control group. Participants were interviewed and responded to a questionnaire about eating habits.
The researchers found a correlation between the amount of allium vegetables the participants ate and their colorectal cancer risk. The participants who ate the most allium vegetables had a 79 percent lower risk of getting cancer in comparison to those who ate the least.
More Health Benefits of Garlic and Onions
Although the study is not considered conclusive, there’s certainly no harm in your aging relative eating more onions and garlic if they like them. In fact, both vegetables have multiple other health benefits.
Some benefits of eating garlic are:
- Lots of Nutrients: Garlic contains magnesium, vitamins B6 and C, selenium, and fiber.
- Low Calorie: One ounce of garlic contains just 42 calories.
- May Fight Colds: Studies have shown that eating garlic may reduce the number of colds a person gets and might even shorten the length of a cold.
- Lowers Blood Pressure: Research indicates that taking garlic supplements can help to lower blood pressure.
Benefits of eating onions include:
- Nutrient Rich: Like garlic, onions contain lots of nutrients, including vitamin C and multiple B vitamins.
- Low Calorie: Onions are also low in calories. A medium onion has about 44 calories.
- Improve Heart Health: Onions have anti-inflammatory properties. They also help to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
- Contain Antioxidants: Onions are an excellent source of several kinds of antioxidants, which have been associated with preventing all kinds of diseases, including diabetes and cancer.
- Control Blood Sugar: Some studies have indicated that eating onions may reduce blood sugar levels.
One way to include more garlic and onions in your aging relative’s diet is by cooking meals created with fresh foods. Of course, that can be time consuming for caregivers and too difficult for seniors. Fortunately, one of the many things home care can do for older adults is cook healthy meals using whole foods instead of serving convenient processed foods that are high in salt, fat, and sugar. Home care providers can even help with meal planning and grocery shopping. And, if your loved one finds eating alone lonely, a home care provider can sit with them and offer companionship while they eat.
Sources
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324524.php
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-garlic
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/onion-benefits
If you or an aging loved one are considering homecare in Monroe, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care Serving Somerset and Middlesex/Union Counties today. Call (732) 607-8870.
The Care Street mission is straightforward and compelling: to provide a comprehensive range of the highest quality home health services in a professional and efficient manner that will enhance our clients' quality of life and empower families to keep their loved one at home.
Care Street has earned a reputation of excellence among hundreds of families, and is recommended by medical professionals and hospital discharge planners throughout the State.
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