Health benefits of tomatoes, garlic
Dear Heloise: My husband keeps insisting that tomatoes are actually poisonous. He was born in another country, and his family never served tomatoes because his mother believed this. I come from an Italian heritage, and we love tomatoes. What is the verdict on tomatoes? — Tiffany R., Albuquerque, N.M.
Tiffany, tomatoes have some very healthy benefits. The tomato is actually an edible berry and is considered a fruit. It contains vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants. Research has shown protective qualities for the brain, heart and gut.
The sulfur in tomatoes is believed to help guard the liver from cirrhosis.
However, like so many other things in life, excessive consumption of tomatoes can build up in your system and lead to a large amount of lycopene. An excessive amount of lycopene can cause or aggravate acid reflux. — Heloise
Save me from garlic
Dear Heloise: I love my mother-in-law, but she loves to put garlic in nearly every cooked dish. She was here for two weeks and insisted on making dinner a couple of times a week. Each meal had garlic, and I don’t mean just a trace of it. She overdoes it and sincerely believes it will prolong a person’s life.
At dinner one night, she announced that garlic wards off illnesses. I don’t know about that, but it certainly wards off people. Does garlic have any real benefits? — LeighAnn B., Baton Rouge, La.
Leigh-ann, studies have shown that garlic has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits, promotes gut health, helps the body resist osteoporosis and improves cardiovascular function. It may even lead to a longer life.
Some studies show that garlic helps reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. According to the American Cancer Society, a study found that foods containing allium (found in garlic, leeks and onions) were associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer.
So, your mother-in-law is correct about garlic. You might suggest to her that a little garlic goes a long way. — Heloise
Retired job seekers
Dear Heloise: I read with interest a letter to you from a retired carpenter who was having trouble finding work. I was 70 when I was looking for part-time work, but I looked like I was in my late 50s.
The problem was that I put my high school graduation date on my resume. People would seem interested, but as soon as they looked at my resume, their interest disappeared. It’s a shame that older seniors who want to work are finding it so difficult. — R.B., Laguna Niguel, California