Tomatoes
What would Mexican food be without tomatoes? The primary ingredient in most salsas, tomatoes are chock-full of antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta carotene. These compounds, as well as the dietary fiber, copper and iron, found in tomatoes, may play a role in preventing cell damage. And the red tomato pigment, lycopene, helps reduce the risk of breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer. Tomatoes also play a role in lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. http://center.acs.org/applications/ccs/application/index.cfm?pressreleaseid=1757&categoryid=1
Avocado
Guacamole, made with mashed avocados, tomatoes, onions and assorted seasonings, is another healthy Mexican treat. In addition to the health benefits of the tomatoes, Japanese scientists have discovered that avocados contain compounds that reduce liver damage. http://center.acs.org/applications/ccs/application/index.cfm?pressreleaseid=1588&categoryid=1
Onions, Chilies and Peppers
All that spicy food relies on onions, chilies and peppers to provide its characteristic zest. Scientists testing different foods for levels of flavonoids -- a type of antioxidant known to protect against cancer -- have shown that onions, red and green chilies, and bell peppers don't fall far behind more well-known sources of antioxidants, such as broccoli.
Beer
For many people, Cinco de Mayo wouldn't be the same without a beer to wash down all that food. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests that a beer a day helps prevent heart attacks. An Israeli team of chemists showed that heart-healthy changes occurred in the blood of moderate beer drinkers by making fibrinogen, a blood clotting protein, less active. http://center.acs.org/applications/ccs/application/index.cfm?pressreleaseid=2059&categoryid=1
Want to add some healthy spice to your Cinco de Mayo food menu? Try these recipes from the kitchen of the American Chemical Society's Belmont Conference Center in Elkridge, Md.
Ingredients 3 tomatoes, seeded and diced ¼ red onion, chopped 1 can diced green chilies ½ lime, juiced 1 teaspoon salt 1 small clove minced garlic (optional) ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions: Combine all ingredients and refrigerate for one hour.
Guacamole
Ingredients 3 avocados, peeled and mashed 1 tomato, seeded and diced 3 spring onions, chopped 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped ½ teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder Juice of 1 lime
Directions: Combine all ingredients and chill for 2 hours.
(EDITOR'S NOTE — An historic manor built in 1738, Belmont is located on 85 acres of rolling hills and fields, surrounded by Patapsco State Park, about 35 miles from Washington, D.C. Open year-round, Belmont is available for meetings, retreats, training seminars, weddings, company picnics and holiday receptions.)