The Magnificent Health Benefits of Leeks

Leeks may be one of the most underappreciated of all vegetables. When most people want to add a little extra flavor to their recipes, they reach for the leek's closest cousin, the onion, ignoring the more subtle, mellow flavor offered by the leek. In addition to a pleasing, less overpowering flavor, the leek has some pretty terrific health benefits which make it an excellent choice for a health conscious diet. Once you discover the taste and health benefits of leeks, you'll be coming back for more.

The leek is a member of the same family of vegetables as the garlic and the onion, vegetables that are already appreciated for their health benefits. Thus, it should come as no surprise that with such healthy relatives, the leek would also shine when it comes to healthy cooking options. The Allium vegetable family has much to offer both from a culinary and a health standpoint. Here are some of those benefits:

Health benefits of leeks: They may play a role in cancer reduction.

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.

Health benefits of leeks: They may protect against heart disease.

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.

Health benefits of leeks: They're low in calories and fat-free.

At twenty-one calories per serving, leeks are a caloric bargain. Even though they're fat-free, they still pack a lot of punch when it comes to taste. If you're watching your waistline, leeks can give a little extra flavor to your recipes so you'll feel satisfied without adding butter or high fat sauces.

Health benefits of leeks: Nutrition

In addition to being low in calories, leeks have some additional nutritional value. They're a good source of the minerals manganese and iron, as well as vitamin C and folate. They're also easier to digest than onions.

To get the health benefits of leeks, try using them in soups in place of onions. You'll find the flavor will be sweeter and mellower. You can also add them to salads and salad dressings for extra flavor. Sauteed in a little olive oil or light butter, they make a tasty and healthy side dish. Why not discover the taste and health benefits of leeks the next time you shop for groceries?