Here's a closer look at some of the nutritional benefits of leeks:
Health benefits of Leeks
Protects the Linings of Blood Vessels
Kaempferol provides protection to the linings of the blood vessels, particularly against free radicals or reactive oxygen species. Therefore, it allows your blood vessels to rest and decreases your risk for hypertension.
Provides Folate
Note that excessive levels of homocysteine promote inflammatory conditions and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Aside from being an important vitamin during pregnancy, folate has been shown to lessen the concentration of homocysteine in the blood. By adding leeks to your diet, you can decrease your homocysteine levels, and protect your heart and blood vessels.
Functions as an Antioxidant
Leeks contain polyphenols, which are strong antioxidants. These substances help fight against free radicals that can cause many chronic diseases and aging
Decreases Risk of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
Leeks can decrease the risk for fighting against chronic low-level inflammatory states by virtue of their polyphenol and kaempferol contents.
Provides Vitamins and Minerals
Leeks are also good sources of vitamins C, B6 (pyridoxine) and K, as well as manganese and iron. Vitamin C is important in wound healing and collagen formation. By incorporating leeks in your diet, you can be sure that you are receiving good amounts of these nutrients.
Pyridoxine is important in efficient energy utilization. Vitamin K is needed for blood coagulation, and for metabolism of bone and connective tissues. Manganese functions as a coenzyme for many reactions in the body, while iron is important in the formation of hemoglobin.
Leeks are a great source of minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. Their leafy stems indeed contain several vital vitamins such as pyridoxine, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin in healthy proportions. 100 g fresh stalks provide 64 µg of folates. Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis and cell division. Their adequate levels in the diet during pregnancy can help prevent neural tube defects in the newborn babies.
Leeks are good sources of vitamin-A and other flavonoid phenolic anti-oxidants such as carotenes, xanthin, and lutein. They also have some other essential vitamins such as vitamin C, K, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps the human body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.
Leeks elongated stalks provide good amounts of soluble and insoluble fiber.
Laboratory studies show that allicin reduces cholesterol production by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in the liver cells. Further, it also found to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal activities.
Allicin decreases blood vessel stiffness by release of nitric oxide (NO) and, thereby bring a reduction in the total blood pressure. It also blocks platelet clot formation and has fibrinolytic action in the blood vessels, which helps decrease an overall risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular diseases (PVD), and stroke.
sources:3fatchicks.com, nutrition-and-you.com
Health benefits of Leeks
Protects the Linings of Blood Vessels
Provides Folate
Note that excessive levels of homocysteine promote inflammatory conditions and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Aside from being an important vitamin during pregnancy, folate has been shown to lessen the concentration of homocysteine in the blood. By adding leeks to your diet, you can decrease your homocysteine levels, and protect your heart and blood vessels.
Functions as an Antioxidant
Leeks contain polyphenols, which are strong antioxidants. These substances help fight against free radicals that can cause many chronic diseases and aging
Decreases Risk of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
Leeks can decrease the risk for fighting against chronic low-level inflammatory states by virtue of their polyphenol and kaempferol contents.
Provides Vitamins and Minerals
Leeks are also good sources of vitamins C, B6 (pyridoxine) and K, as well as manganese and iron. Vitamin C is important in wound healing and collagen formation. By incorporating leeks in your diet, you can be sure that you are receiving good amounts of these nutrients.
Pyridoxine is important in efficient energy utilization. Vitamin K is needed for blood coagulation, and for metabolism of bone and connective tissues. Manganese functions as a coenzyme for many reactions in the body, while iron is important in the formation of hemoglobin.
Leeks are a great source of minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. Their leafy stems indeed contain several vital vitamins such as pyridoxine, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin in healthy proportions. 100 g fresh stalks provide 64 µg of folates. Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis and cell division. Their adequate levels in the diet during pregnancy can help prevent neural tube defects in the newborn babies.
Leeks are good sources of vitamin-A and other flavonoid phenolic anti-oxidants such as carotenes, xanthin, and lutein. They also have some other essential vitamins such as vitamin C, K, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps the human body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.
Leeks elongated stalks provide good amounts of soluble and insoluble fiber.
Laboratory studies show that allicin reduces cholesterol production by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in the liver cells. Further, it also found to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal activities.
Allicin decreases blood vessel stiffness by release of nitric oxide (NO) and, thereby bring a reduction in the total blood pressure. It also blocks platelet clot formation and has fibrinolytic action in the blood vessels, which helps decrease an overall risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular diseases (PVD), and stroke.
sources:3fatchicks.com, nutrition-and-you.com
Leeks Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
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