Chimichurri is a delicious sauce that is native to Argentina, and it poses many different health benefits with its delicious and nutritious blend. The blend of parsley, garlic, olive oil, and oregano are a powerful pack of anti oxidants and healthy fats that pair great with chicken, steak, and pork. This light yet powerful sauce is perfect by itself, as little to no seasoning is required after it is added. With so many flavors, it would be hard to guess that there were so many health benefits to consuming it but read on. There is a wonderful Chimichurri Recipe here if you have not tried making this amazing sauce.
Parsley
Parsley makes up a huge portion of the sauce, and it is very high in Vitamin C. According to World’s Healthiest Foods Parsley is high in Vitamin K, C, A, and deems as the world’s most popular herb. It contains two different types of oil components that may this herb so healthy. “The first type is volatile oil components—including myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene. The second type is flavonoids—including apiin, apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin.” (1).
So why do these oils matter? “Parsley’s volatile oils—particularly myristicin—have been shown to inhibit tumor formation in animal studies, and particularly, tumor formation in the lungs. Myristicin has also been shown to activate the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, which helps attach the molecule glutathione to oxidized molecules that would otherwise do damage in the body.”
Garlic
Garlic is an ever popular food item that has been noted and proven to help reduce cardiovascular diseases. World’s Healthiest Foods says, “The benefits of garlic intake for decreased risk of cardiovascular disease have now been extended to each of the following conditions: heart attack (myocardial infarct), coronary artery disease (CAD), high blood pressure (hypertension), and atherosclerosis.” (2). On top of its amazing abilities in the body, it also has been said to taste amazing and add incredible flavor to each dish. For more information on garlic click, and read the benefits of garlic.
Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is packed full of healthy fats and antioxidants. Not only is it amazing for your skin, hair, and health it has been said to help fight off bad diseases too. According to Medical News Today, “Oleocanthal is a type of natural phenolic compound found in extra-virgin olive oil. In laboratory experiments with mice, researchers discovered that oleocanthal helps shuttle the abnormal Alzheimer’s disease proteins out of the brain.” (3). Adding a touch more olive oil to your chimichurri sauce will give you more fat and calories, but it will also loosen the texture up making it smooth.
Oregano
Oregano has been tapped as nature’s antibiotic, and it also tastes amazing too when added to dishes of many varieties. According to Food Facts, “Ingesting oregano encourages sweat production as a mode of detox, helps rid the body of unwanted phlegm in the lungs, reduces fevers, and relieves diarrhea. Medical use has found it to be helpful in the treatment of colds and flu, indigestion, and to regulate the menstrual cycle. Made into a poultice, oregano can be used to remedy sore muscles and eczema.” (4).
Next time you are in the market to make a chimichurri sauce, remember aside from it tasting amazing it also is very good for your body!
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