Quiz #3 Food as Medicine

Study Notes

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, emphasized the importance of food as medicine.
There is no universal agreement on what "let food be your medicine" means, but it involves using food to promote health and well-being.

Inulin is a type of polysaccharide found in the Aster family of plants, such as dandelion, elecampane, echinacea, and burdock roots.
Inulin is food for intestinal flora and is sometimes referred to as PRE-biotics.
Inulin increases the absorption of nutrients like calcium and magnesium.
Whole foods rich in inulin include fennel seeds, which can be consumed after meals to promote digestion and sweeten the breath.
Fennel bulbs, stalks, and leaves are also high in inulin, vitamin C, and antioxidants, and have been shown to have anti-cancer properties.

Parsley is an herb rich in nutrients, particularly vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin A.
It is high in vitamin K, which is essential for heart health and healthy bones.
Parsley helps promote digestion and relieves stagnant digestion due to its aromatic properties.
It can modulate inflammation, which is associated with muscle pain, arthritis, and degenerative diseases, including cancer.
Parsley has a spicy and pungent taste, indicating its potential to promote digestion and reduce inflammation.
It is best used fresh and can be easily grown in gardens or found in grocery stores throughout the year.

A small serving size of parsley is not sufficient; it is recommended to consume a large amount, such as a handful or half a salad.
Parsley pesto is a great way to incorporate the herb into one's diet, combining it with walnuts, garlic, olive oil, paprika, and lemon.

In other cultures, the line between food and medicine is blurred, and people use herbal medicine to enhance their health by manipulating their food.
Herbs can be seen as gourmet healing foods, specially selected to bring their healing qualities into food.
The idea of an overlap between herbs and food challenges the traditional definition of what makes a food.

Onions can be used as both a food and a medicinal herb, depending on how they are used.
Onions have medicinal properties and can be used in various ways to promote health.

Herbal medicines have the same active ingredients as foods, but are more concentrated.
Thinking of herbs as tasty ways to add nourishment and healing properties to food expands our palate.
Every other culture, except for North America and England, has used herbs as medicinal foods.

Rosemary is a herb used as a condiment and has healing properties.
When consuming rosemary in soup, it is unclear whether it is being used as medicine or food.