Health

Resting Chopped Vegetables May Lower Heart Disease Risk, Says Expert

December, 28, 2024-03:28

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Resting Chopped Vegetables May Lower Heart Disease Risk, Says Expert
Chopping vegetables and allowing them to rest on the counter for ten minutes prior to cooking may lower the risk of heart disease, as suggested by diet expert Professor Tim Spector.

The scientist, who is a co-founder of the well-known diet application ZOE, recommended that individuals in Britain permit their chopped onions and garlic to sit before adding them to the cooking process. This practice enhances the levels of a compound that can help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar.
In an article detailing his dietary recommendations for 2025, Professor Spector stated, "Onion and garlic, along with cabbage and broccoli, are excellent sources of sulforaphane, a compound that has been demonstrated to improve glucose regulation and cholesterol levels."

He explained to the I that cooking deactivates an enzyme present in these vegetables known as mirosinase, which is essential for the formation of sulforaphane.
"However, if you allow your vegetables to rest for five to ten minutes before cooking, the sulforaphane becomes activated and remains intact during the cooking process."

Cholesterol is a fatty substance crucial for the body's normal functioning. Nevertheless, excessive cholesterol can lead to arterial blockages, impeding blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body, thereby increasing the risk of angina, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots.
Elevated cholesterol levels are a significant risk factor for heart disease, which ranks among the leading causes of death in both the UK and the US. Professor Spector emphasized that this method aids in preserving natural compounds beneficial for cholesterol management and blood sugar control.

High cholesterol levels are primarily attributed to the consumption of fatty foods, insufficient physical activity, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, although genetic factors can also play a role.
Professor Spector has previously addressed the risks associated with frequent spikes in blood sugar, which are believed to contribute to obesity due to their destabilizing impact on appetite.

The vegetable resting technique is just one of several dietary recommendations highlighted by Professor Spector. He also advised cooking tomatoes with extra-virgin olive oil to maximize nutrient extraction and replacing ultra-processed stock cubes with miso paste derived from fermented soybeans.