Natural Health Benefits of Leeks: Learn How to Cook Leeks and How Leeks' Health Benefits Can Help You
What Are Leeks?
What are leeks? Leeks look like large scallions, with a small white bulb and long green, tightly wrapped, flat leaves. They have a very mild, sweet onion flavor.
How to Choose Leeks
Leeks are usually available year round and are in season from fall to early spring. When choosing leeks, look for clean white ends and fresh green tops. Leeks can be stored in your refrigerator, wrapped tightly, for up to 5 days.
How to Cook Leeks
Scrub leeks well and remove any tough outer leaves. Trim the roots from the base, slit lengthwise and rinse off any of the remaining sandy dirt. Cut into slices and cook. When deciding how to cook leeks, you can either boil in a small amount of water or steam for 4 to 5 minutes, until tender. Leeks must always be cooked before you eat them.
Health Benefits of Leeks
Leeks belong to the superpower family of Allium vegetables. These vegetables include onions, shallots, scallions and garlic. By increasing your consumption of Allium vegetables, including leeks, you can actually reduce your bad LDL cholesterol levels and raise your good HDL cholesterol levels. Leeks’ health benefits are also attributed to its high levels of folate, iron, manganese, and vitamins C and B6. Another great health benefit of leeks is that they are very low in calories but high in fiber, making a great addition to any diet.
Diseases Leeks Can Helps Prevent
Leeks’ health benefits are unique because of the high content of Allyl sulfides which may help prevent some types of cancer. Eating leeks and other Allium vegetables at least two times per week can reduce the risk of colon and prostate cancers. Leeks are rich in kaempferol which can reduce a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by up to 40%. The green parts of leeks are extremely high in antioxidants and can help reduce free radicals in the cells. Leeks can also help regulate blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure levels, decrease your risk of heart attack and protect against heart disease.
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