Health Benefits of Leeks
-
Leeks are a vegetable and scientifically named Allium porrum. Leeks have a light spherical shape at the bottom with a long white cylindrical stem of stacked layers of flat (green) leaves towards the top. The pieces of leeks that grow underground are white and tender. Leeks are related to garlic, chives, shallots and onions and originate from the Middle East. Leeks have been eaten for centuries for its health benefits. The typical taste and smell of leeks is caused by allicin: a sulfur compound with antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Health benefits of leeks
-
Helps with weight loss and improves digestion Improves eye health Lowers blood pressure and promotes excretion of toxins and salts Prevents anemia Prevents skin problems Helps heart and blood vessels Prevents oxidative damage Improves bone health Helps Curb Type 2 Diabetes
Helps with weight loss and improves digestion
-
Leeks contain dietary fiber (4% RDA) and therefore ensures that you have the feeling that you are full for longer. This reduces the chance that you will snack between meals and therefore the chance that you can lose weight. The dietary fiber (4% RDA) in leeks promotes good bowel movements.
-
11 minMain dishpeanut oil, tofu stir-fry cubes finely seasoned, stir fry sauce sweet and sour, thick noodles, carrot julienne, beetroot julienne, yellow bell pepper, watercress,rainbow salad with tofu -
45 minMain dishRed cabbage, mild olive oil, quinoa plus, forest outing, lemon, sesame oil, soy sauce less salt, Bio Today tahini white in pot, tap water,grilled red cabbage with quinoa salad -
30 minDessertBrie, Roquefort, port salut, gruyere, Camembert, walnut, garlic, thyme, honey, grape, baguette, Red onion, red grape, raisins, Red wine, Red wine vinegar, Brown sugar,generous cheese plate with onion marmalade -
30 minDessertFull Milk, whipped cream, macaroon, custard powder, vanilla sugar, sugar, protein, amaretto, almond liqueur, basic recipe cooking pears,macaroon pastry with casserole
Improves eye health
-
Leeks are a source of vitamin A (5% RDA per 100 grams cooked). This vitamin is important for your overall eye health. Leeks are full of antioxidants that protect your eyes from free radical damage. These free radicals can cause macular degeneration and other age-related eye conditions. Vitamin A provides better vision at dusk and at night. Leeks are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. These substances protect the tissues of your eye from the effects of the harmful UV light. In particular, they protect against cataracts.
Reduces blood pressure and promotes excretion of toxins and salts
-
Leeks contain 189 mg of potassium per 100 grams of prepared product. Potassium is known for its vasodilating and antihypertensive effect. Potassium is also important for the functioning of the heart muscle. Leeks cause you to urinate more: more sodium and water are then excreted by your kidneys. This is beneficial for people with high blood pressure: it prevents the accumulation of too many toxins and salts (for example sodium) in your body. When sodium is excreted it can lower blood pressure.
Prevents anemia
-
If you have too little iron in your blood, it is called anemia. Leeks are full of iron (100 grams of prepared leeks contain 6% RDA) and contain folate (6% RDA per 100 grams of prepared leeks) which is important in the production of red and white blood cells. Folate, the biologically active form of B11, and folic acid are often confused. Dietary supplements contain folic acid, which is converted into folate in your body.
-
5 minDrink without alcoholbananas, cool fresh apple-pear raspberry juice, Soy drink vanilla,soy fruit shake -
20 minMain dishsauerkraut, sticking potato, liquid baking product, half-to-half minced, Spice meatballs, pineapple, olive oil, liquid baking product,gratin sauerkraut dish with minced meat -
40 minMain dishlemongrass, fresh ginger, Red peppers, onions, tomato cubes, fresh cod fillet, coriander, oil, ground turmeric (koenjit), coconut milk, salt,fish in creamy coconut sauce -
15 minSide dishsweet potato, soft goat cheese, egg, spring / forest onion,stuffed sweet potato with egg
Prevents skin problems
-
Many skin problems are caused by the action of free radials and the resulting oxidative damage. Think of wrinkles and dark spots. The antioxidants present in leeks protect against the damage that free radicals can cause and thus have an inhibiting effect on the aging process. Leeks also contain allicin. This is a natural antibiotic that is also found in garlic. This compound has antibacterial properties and keeps bacteria out of your skin.
Helps heart and blood vessels
-
Leeks are a rich source of kaempferol, a flavonoid that protects against the influence of free radicals in blood vessels. NO (nitrogen monoxide) is also formed during this process. This substance ensures that blood vessels can dilate and relax. Leeks are also rich in folate. Folate has a positive effect on your heart health. It reduces excess homocysteine that can adversely affect the cardiovascular system. Folate converts homocysteine into amino acids that are better for your overall health. Leeks are also rich in polyphenols. These antioxidants have a protective effect against oxidative damage to blood cells and blood vessels. The dietary fiber in leeks removes the bad cholesterol and thus protects against the formation of plaques in the blood vessels.
Prevents oxidative damage
-
Leeks contain per 100 grams of prepared product 6% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C. Vitamin C is known as an antioxidant: it prevents oxidative damage to cells. This oxidative damage is often seen as the biggest culprit in the development of cancer.
-
20 minMain dishTasty vine tomato, (olive oil, fresh basil, onion, garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano, zucchini spaghetti, pumpkin spaghetti, mini buffalo mozzarella,lukewarm pumpkin and zucchini spaghetti -
15 minSide dishtraditional olive oil, curry powder, wheat flour, coconut milk, sambal oelek, chicken broth tablet, water, fresh mango,curry sauce with mango -
30 minMain dishtraditional olive oil, lean ground beef, frozen Mexican wok vegetables, salsa sauce mild, taco shell, grated young cheese, creme fraiche,Mexican vegetable in tacos -
95 minMain dishmaize chicken, lemon, coarse sea salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, thyme, zucchini, tomatoes (small to), black olives without pit,provençal chicken with zucchini and tomatoes
Improves bone health
-
Leeks contain a lot of vitamin K: 29% RDA for 100 grams of prepared leeks. Vitamin K plays a role in bone mineralization: the amount of osteocalcin (a protein) is proportional to the amount of vitamin K present in your body. This protein is necessary for good bone health: it ensures that less bone is broken down.
Helps curb type 2 diabetes
-
Leeks are low in calories: 100 grams of cooked leeks contain only 32 kcal. In addition, leeks have a low glycemic index. Vegetables with a low glycemic index reduce the activity of α-amylase. This is an enzyme that breaks down complex sugars into smaller sugar molecules. If this happens too quickly, the blood sugar level fluctuates too much.