Nature is full of amazing ingredients, making sure you get a portion of these three wonderful health boosting ingredients daily to keep you healthy and happy, and support your natural immune system.
Lemon, Garlic and Ginger are easily added to lots of different meals and drinks and each one can enhance your health and vitality. They have a myriad of phytochemicals which contribute to their health boosting properties.
Garlic – add to soups, casseroles, curries and garlic bread.
The most active ingredient in garlic allicin, it is a sulphur containing compound and is responsible for the characteristic smell and taste of garlic.
Garlic is a strong anti-fungal and is often used as part of antimicrobial products to help kill off bacterial overgrowths associated with conditions such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). It is a powerful ingredient and used in supplemental doses only with the advice and support of a nutritional therapist.
Garlic has been shown to have the following health benefits:
- Antibacterial
- Anti-fungal
- Antiseptic
- Immune Booster
- Cancer Fighting
- Wound Healing
If you are preparing garlic for cooking then chopping it a few minutes before you add it to your recipe, it is the exposure to oxygen that further activates the active ingredients and super charges the benefits.
Lemon – spritz into drinks or onto your food
Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is an important antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.
Vitamin C is key in collagen synthesis, which is important for healthy skin. Adding a slice to hot water in the morning is a great start to the day. It supports your digestive system, and helps keep you hydrated, which is another key factor in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Lemons are a key ingredient in my immune boost tea recipe (link at the bottom of this article), this is also due to the high levels of vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Helping to bring down internal inflammation and modulate immune response.
Lemon has been shown to have the following benefits:
- Aids Digestion
- Anti Inflammatory
- Helps with nausea
- Immune Booster
- Detoxing
- High in vitamin C
- Antioxidant
Chefs will often add a spritz of lemon to dishes in the same way as adding salt and pepper. It helps balance the flavours and enhance the meal – give it a try and let me know what you think.
Ginger – spicy, warm and slightly sweet.
Ginger has been used for many years as a digestive support, and is a key ingredient in many digestive teas. Often used alongside lemon, you can just add a slice of each to water and allow it to steep, or chill and add ice in the summer.
It has also been shown to help reduce mucous associated with colds and flu, along with honey. And they are both common ingredients in cough syrups and tinctures.
Many detox teas and cleanses contain ginger, it contains bioactive compounds like gingerol, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus helping to support the body’s natural detoxification processes.
Summary of health benefits associated with ginger
- Aids with digestion
- Burns fat
- Immune Booster
- Detoxing
- Kidney Health
I love to add ginger to juices, just add a chunk next time you make a juice. Or you casn finely chop into stir fries, or grate into curries. It adds a warm yet fresh taste that wakes up the palate.
Cooking with natures miracle trio
I love to include all of these ingredients in my diet every day, and often create recipes that use all three together. Curries and middle eastern style stews are among my dishes that deliciously include all ingredients combined..
Why not try this immune boosting tea recipe it combines lemon and ginger to make a soothing and tasty drink.
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