BARCELONA —A recent study conducted at the University of Barcelona and published in the magazine, Food Chemistry found that a combination of tomato, olive oil, garlic and onion reduces the risk of heart disease.
This group of food is considered to be part of the Mediterranean diet, which has been associated with low levels of cardiovascular disease. Specifically, tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and onions make up a seasoned tomato based sauce called “sofrito” that has many healthy benefits.
The study asked a group of participants to answer a questionnaire based on how often they ate vegetables, pasta, rice, and other dishes made with sofrito.
The team found 40 types of polyphenols associated with consuming sofrito in your diet. Polyphenols help prevent chronic illnesses such as, cancer, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. In addition to this, the researchers also found high levels of carotenoids and vitamin C in the sofrito. Consuming carotenoids helps reduce the risk for different cancers, especially prostate cancer. Moreover, vitamin C not only prevents heart disease but also helps increase your immune system.
According to a researcher at the University of Barcelona , Rosa Maria Lamuela, the recommended amount of sofrito,
“A daily amount of 120 grams of sofrito, added to pasta for example, the total intake of polyphenols is 16 to 24 milligrams per portion and 6 to 10 milligrams in the case of carotenoids."
If you are interested in reducing your risk of heart disease and receive other health benefits, you might want to consider adding tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and onions to your diet.
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