The Health Benefits of Leek and Onion

Leek together with onion and garlic are all a part of the Allium vegetables. In ancient times it was believed that leek cured throat problems. And it has been proven to be true. Leek is efficient in curing respiratory problems, couching…

It has been proven that those that eat lots of leek, onion and garlic have a lover level of bad cholesterol in their body. By eating leek or onions 2-3 times a week you reduce the risk of a potential colon or prostate cancer. Also by eating leek and onion you might lower your blood pressure. But you have to eat considerable amounts of leek. You cannot get all the health benefits by eating just a tiny bit of leek or onion.

Leek contains lots of water, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, phosphor, vitamin B, sulfate… All these elements slow down the absorption of sugar in the blood. They also make leek a good mild laxative. Also you can put the leek leafs on boils and horny skin.

The study Nurses Health done over two decades pointed out that women that ate foods containing an antioxidant named campherol were better protected against ovarian cancer. Campherol is a flavonoid that is found in leek, broccoli, spinach, cabbage and raspberries.

If you have kidney or bile problems you should not eat leek because it contains oxalates. Oxalic acid can get in contact with calcium and create crystals that will irritate your kidneys and intestines.

When you prepare the leek or cooking, even if you eat it raw of coked in a meal, you should let it in a bowl for 10-15 minutes after you have cut it. It has been proven scientifically that by resting 10-15 minutes leek after cutting it the health benefits of leek get increases. If you buy more leek you can keep it in the fridge without washing and cutting it. You should avoiding keeping leek for more than 1 week to 10 days.

Nobody likes to cry because of peeling onions but food sure tastes good with onions in it. Onion stimulates your digestion and calms down stomach pains. Onions contain chromium, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, phosphor, iron, vitamin B… People that suffer from diabetes should make sure that they eat onions frequently. Onions reduce the level of glucose and increases the production of insulin.

Onions are antiseptics and it is good in treating of colitis or if you want to get rid of diarrhea. Studies have also shown that onion is a good ally in fighting against cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Not bad I must say.

Onion helps you also keep your bone healthy and it has an anti-inflammation effect. What more can I say: leek and onion are great healthy vegetables. Just include them more and more in your daily menu.

Further reading: 5 foods you should eat daily.