5 Summer Food Mysteries Solved

Can eating garlic ward off mosquitoes? If it's true, I'll start pounding garlic shakes right now. After enough evening barbecues with Terminator-strength DEET, I'll happily try any non-toxic solution. But before I jam cloves into a juicer, I thought I'd ask EatingWell, an expert source for good health and good food, for the answers on garlic and a few other food-related quandries.

EatingWell's 5 Summer Food Mysteries Solved

True or False? Eating garlic wards off mosquitoes.

False. Researchers at the University of Connecticut tested the theory. It didn't work, but maybe because the participants didn't eat enough, say the scientists.
Tip: Conduct your own experiment and eat as much garlic as you can with these 20+ amazing garlic recipes.

True or False? Watermelon isn't very nutritious; it's all water!

False. Watermelon is mostly water: 92 percent. But it also has its share of nutrients. One cup of watermelon provides good amounts of vitamin C and red watermelon contains lycopene, an antioxidant that's associated with reduced risk for certain types of cancer.
Tip: Get some nutrients into you with these sweet & savory watermelon recipes.

True or False? Licking ice cream is more satisfying than eating it with a spoon.

True, according to Kay McMath, a food technologist for New Zealand's Massey University. "Flavor in ice cream is released when the fat-which carries the flavor-is warmed to at least body temperature," says McMath. When you lick ice cream it coats the tongue and fully warms the frozen treat. A spoon, on the other hand, insulates the ice cream. And then there's the psychological aspect of savoring the treat more slowly: you just cannot lick ice cream as fast as you can spoon it.
Tip: Try these 5 recipes for healthier homemade ice cream.

True or False? A piña colada can have as many calories as a cheeseburger.

True. Both have about 400 calories. Some of summer's most popular drinks can boost your daily calorie tally substantially. A margarita has about as many calories (367) as a hot dog with cheese and chili (375). And, from a calorie perspective, drinking a wine cooler is like eating a generous scoop of potato salad.
Tip: Get healthier recipes for your favorite summer drinks.

True or False? The antioxidants in raspberries help keep your heart healthy.

True. Two antioxidants found in raspberries -- anthocyanins (where raspberries get their red) and ellagic acid -- are associated with increased levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and lowered blood pressure, two positives when it comes to heart health. The yummy berries are also loaded with vitamin C and are high in fiber. |
Tip: Be good to your heart with these 10 summery raspberry recipes.