Pico de gallo is a basic salsa that's made with a variety of vegetables and fruits, such as onions, jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and garlic. It blends well with scrambled eggs, salads, baked tortilla chips, fish and chicken. This light salsa contains approximately 6 calories and less than 1 gram of fat per 1-ounce serving, which makes it a welcome addition to calorie-conscious dits. Consume pico de gallo regularly to enjoy a wealth of health benefits.

Pico de gallo is packed with antioxidants, which fight the harmful free radicals that cause cellular mutations. This damage, called oxidative stress, also contributes to the development of chronic health conditions. The antioxidants in onions and garlic include organosulfur and allicin, which are compounds that help combat disease, such as atherosclerosis, and supply the potent aroma in these vegetables. The antioxidants in tomatoes include vitamin C, vitamin E and lycopene. Lycopene is a carotenoid that provides the red pigment in tomatoes and helps protect the body against prostate, urinary, intestinal and some stomach cancers. Cilantro contains a plethora of antioxidants, including gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid and chlorogenic acid, which may combat cancer cells and increase insulin sensitivity among diabetics, suggests a study published in 2005 in the “International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.”

The onions and garlic in pico de gallo act as blood thinners that may assist in protecting your body against heart disease, notes the Department of Foods and Nutrition at the University of Georgia. In addition, these vegetables can help prevent the formation of blood clots that can cause a stroke or heart attack. Consuming garlic and onions may help you lower your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol, further decreasing your risk of heart disease.

Pico de gallo contains vegetables that may decrease inflammation. Garlic and onions contain anti-inflammatory properties that may diminish symptoms of asthma, arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Jalapeno peppers contain an anti-inflammatory agent called capsaicin, which may help individuals with arthritis by increasing circulation and releasing endorphins to relieve pain. In addition, an animal research study published in January 2012 in the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” suggests that the ethanol and butanol extracts in capsaicin decrease inflammation and oxidative stress in chronic inflammatory conditions.

Consuming pico de gallo may provide your body with antibacterial properties. Garlic and onions contain antibacterial agents that may assist in protecting against certain bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. Furthermore, cilantro contains oils with bacteria-fighting agents that are effective against Listeria monocytogenes, a food-borne bacterium that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other flu-like symptoms, according to a study published in 2001 in the “International Journal of Food Microbiology.”