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Leek – What are Health Benefits Of Leeks? | Nutrition And Healthy Benefits Of Leeks | Leeks Health Benefits

The leek, Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum, also sometimes known as Allium porrum, is a vegetable which belongs, along with the onion and garlic, to the Alliaceae family. Two related vegetables, the elephant garlic and kurrat, are also variant subspecies of Allium ampeloprasum, although different in their uses as food.The leek is a vegetable belonging, along with the onion and garlic, to the Alliaceae family, but the flavor is much more refined, subtle, and sweet than the standard onion.

Leeks are a good source of allyl sulfides, as are the onion and garlic. Allyl sulfides have been shown to modify certain pathways associated with the growth of malignant tumors. For this reason, a high intake of members of the Allium vegetable family, such as the leek, may play a role in preventing certain types of cancer. Leeks have lower amounts of allyl sulfides than do onions or garlic, but still appear to have high enough concentrations to offer some protection.

Leeks, like garlic and onions, belong to a vegetable family called the Allium vegetables. Since leeks are related to garlic and onions, they contain many of the same beneficial compounds found in these well researched, health promoting vegetables. A high intake of Allium vegetables has been shown to reduce total cholesterol and LDL, or “bad” cholesterol levels, while at the same time raising HDL, or “good” cholesterol levels. The allium family have anti bacterial properties. They are a source of iron, vitamin B6 and folate.

Some studies have shown that members of the Allium family of vegetables have a slight blood pressure lowering effect and may prevent platelets from clumping, potentially leading to a heart attack. Although it was initially thought that garlics, onions, and leeks lower LDL cholesterol, recent studies haven’t supported this.A good source of dietary fiber, leeks also contain goodly amounts of folic acid, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. Easier to digest than standard onions, leeks have laxative, antiseptic, diuretic, and anti-arthritic properties.

Leeks are a good source of allyl sulfides, as are the onion and garlic. Allyl sulfides have been shown to modify certain pathways associated with the growth of malignant tumors. For this reason, a high intake of members of the Allium vegetable family, such as the leek, may play a role in preventing certain types of cancer. Leeks have lower amounts of allyl sulfides than do onions or garlic, but still appear to have high enough concentrations to offer some protection.

Leeks Healthy and Vitamins Benefits:

1.In addition to the health benefits mentioned above, leeks also act as an antiseptic and help the body fight against infection and contamination.

2.The use of calcium in the maintenance of a healthy skeletal system has been known since a long time. Leeks, a good source of calcium helps in achieving this effect. Calcium is also used for the proper clotting of blood in the human body.

3.Leeks are especially essential for pregnant women as they contain considerable amount of folate. Due to this, a number of birth defects are prevented, particularly the ones that are related with the spine and brain of the baby like spina bifida and encephalitis.

4.A good source of dietary fiber, leeks energizes the human body to perform many types of biological functions like digestion and metabolism.

5.Studies have also shown that the vegetable is beneficial in the prevention of ovarian cancer in females.

6.Leeks are also known to promote optimal health of humans. Consumption of the vegetable has been shown to considerably decrease the risk of colon and prostate cancer.

7.Intake of Allium vegetables like leeks also cause decrease in high blood pressure levels, another major factor for the occurrence of stroke and heart attack.

8.A regular intake of leeks has been associated with the raise in the HDL levels and the corresponding decrease in the LDL or Low Cholesterol Lipoprotein levels. It is this plaque formation that leads to the occurrence of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease in humans. Progression of these plaques can even result in a heart attack or stroke.

9.A particular combination of nutrients in leeks is very helpful in steadying elevated blood sugar level. These include vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, iron and manganese. These nutrients do not slow the absorption of sugars from the intestinal tract. They lower the sugar levels merely by ensuring that the sugars are properly metabolized in the body.