Depending on who you are, or
where you’re from rather, you either think of fresh herbs as an inedible
plate-decorator (think curly parsley at a buffet-style steak house), a
flavor-boosting garnish for dishes (basil torn over pasta), or the main event (the
Middle Eastern parsley dish, tabouleh, for example).
But did you ever think of
herbs as good for your teeth?
Leafy, fresh-tasting herbs
like parsley and mint contain monoterpenes, which travel from your bloodstream
to your lungs. That’s why chewing
mint or parsley after a meal will help you maintain fresh-smelling breath.
More than just breath-fresheners, fresh herbs are rich in
nutrients, as indicated by their deep green color. Parsley is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as
well as iron and folate. Basil is rich in vitamins K and A, iron, and
calcium. Many herbs contain
flavonoids (antioxidants). (For
how these vitamins and minerals keep your teeth healthy, check out our
previous post.)
So pile on the fresh herbs! And don’t limit yourself to using herbs as a garnish. There are plenty of delicious,
nutritious ways to make herbs the main event. Your teeth will thank you.
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