10 Amazing Health Benefits Of Leeks

Our Indian cooking contains curry and coriander leaves without fail which adds aroma and taste to the dishes the same way celery and leeks are the two main ingredients of cooking in abroad countries. Most of the Indian people are not aware of this celery and leeks and its usage. But these are the two main taste enhancers of hot and sour soup, Chinese fried rice, and fried noodles.

One who tasted the hot and sour soup, Chinese fried rice with celery and leeks will identify the restaurants who don’t serve the dishes with celery and leeks. These two components are so unique in adding tastes to the dishes and have also health benefits.

Here are the top 10 amazing health benefits of leeks.

#1. Rich In Anti-oxidant and Fiber

This plant belongs to an onion and garlic family. As onion and garlic is rich in nutrients and minerals leeks also enriched with minerals and nutrients and it is research proved. Leeks have anti-oxidant properties, minerals, its long tube-like structure contains high fiber content and it is low in calories.

#2. Controls Cholesterol Level

Leeks contain Allicin a chemical component that controls cholesterol levels in the blood. Yet the amount of Thiosulfinates in leeks is less compared to the presence of Thiosulfinates in garlic. But the leeks are loaded with the great number of anti-oxidants like diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, allyl propyl disulfide and makes it more valuable.

#3. Controls Blood Pressure

Allicin has the property to control the blood pressure and it acts as an anticoagulant, that dilates the blood in the blood vessels. Apart from that, it has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.

#4. Prevents Heart Disease

It prevents two severe heart diseases like coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. It also prevents a stroke. Leeks are rich in folate or vitamin B that soothes the heart muscles. Folic acid is important during DNA formation and cell division hence the pregnant women need to take more for a healthy baby.

#5. Good During Pregnancy

Since leeks are rich in folic acid pregnant women need to include in their diet. Leeks have one more anti-oxidant namely polyphenol, it protects the blood vessels and prevents heart diseases. Polyphenol is effective to cure type 2 diabetes, anaerobic conditions related to obesity and respiratory allergies.

#6. Prevents Anemia

Leeks are a vitamin archive, it is enriched with niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, and all essential amino acids. Most of them are unaware that leeks are loaded with vitamin A. Leeks is rich in iron and calcium and it prevents anemia.

#7. Fight Against Cancer

It also contains a large number of carotenes, xanthin, lutein, vitamin C, K, E. The leeks have the ability to control intestinal cancer.

#8. Good for Bone Health

Knee pain, osteoarthritis, kidney swelling, all are treated with the help of leek’s extract. Since onion and garlic have the ability to increase the sexual potentiality leeks also contain the same efficiency.

#9. Cleanse Digestive Tract

Since leeks have more fiber content it soothes and increases the digestion and helps to recover from stomach bloating. Magnesium, phosphorus, and folate are very important nutrients for nerve development. Especially folate plays an important role in a child’s brain development which is highly present in leeks. Leeks have the property to cleanse your digestive tract.

#10. Healthy Skin and Hair

Hence it eliminates the body toxins. Leeks are rich in vitamin c and hence it nourishes your skin and makes it healthy. It also protects from the effect of UV rays. Leeks contain manganese, iron and other nutrients that improve hair growth.

Who Should Avoid Leeks?

Leeks have less quantity of oxalate so it is better for persons who have oxalate stones in the kidney. It is better to avoid nickel allergic persons since the leeks contain nickel.

How to Cook Leeks?

It is always better to cut the upper stem and the heavy leaves, few of them like to prepare vegetable stock out of it. The roots of the leeks are also being removed. Otherwise, the long tube-like stem parts are cut vertically and washed under tap water and are chopped finely and added to the dishes.

It should be cooked 5 min after cutting. It can have added naturally in the vegetable salad or can be steam cooked where it tastes differently. Sometimes it can be fried where it tastes crispy.

Turkey people use leeks in a different way. They usually cut large pieces of leeks and are steamed with the leaves. Later the leeks are stuffed with boiled rice, onion, garlic and pepper and other herbs and they have it as a complete dish. Turkey’s also add leeks with olive oil and leeks with meat.