A person uses a wide variety of foods in his diet. Instinctively, we prefer to consume precisely those gifts of nature that benefit our body. After all, they are able to replenish the supply of vitamins and minerals, while pleasing with their excellent taste. One of the worthy representatives of healthy vegetables is leek. The benefits and harms of this green plant have been known to mankind since ancient times. People used it both for cooking main dishes, and as a fragrant seasoning.
A bit of history
It is believed that this wonderful onion appeared in the Mediterranean, where it is still found in the wild there. And from there it spread throughout Europe and some parts of Africa, where it became very popular due to its taste. Mention of this product can be found in the literature of ancient Egypt and Greece, Rome and France. In America, this vegetable is cultivated in large quantities and transported to many countries around the world.
In Russia, leek is grown mainly in the southern regions and is inferior to the palm of the usual onion "brother." However, biologists are convinced that the sufficient intake of this delicious onion positively affects the human body.
Vegetable Description
The leek belongs to the genus Bulbous, it is a plant 40 to 80 cm high. As such, the onion does not have such a head, it has mutated and turned into a dense white trunk. A stem grows from its base, which has a pronounced cylindrical shape. The ground part of the plant forms green lanceolate leaves, they are inherent in a light bluish tint.
Small umbrellas of white or (less often) pink color rise above the main stem - this is how leek blossoms. The benefits and harms of this annual vegetable have long been studied. But not only the rich chemical composition made this plant popular, its soft sweet taste and delicate aroma won many fans around the world.
Rich composition
Refined delicate aroma, excellent taste and a variety of ways to use it - and this is not all the advantages of this variety of onions. The product can be safely called a real storehouse of useful substances that the body needs so much. Using it daily, you can replenish the supply of vitamins B1, B2, B5 B6, B9, C, E, PP. All these elements help the body function better. For example, group B is actively involved in cell metabolism and stimulates the nervous system. Vitamin C resists viral diseases and strengthens the immune system.
Iron, phosphorus, potassium salts, magnesium, calcium, sodium - these are substances that contain leeks in large quantities. The properties of this wonderful plant allow you to cope with many diseases of the body.
Home pharmacy
Thanks to a close study of the green vegetable, modern doctors have discovered its benefits for humans, along with ancient healers. It is recommended to use the vegetable for cystitis, anemia and obesity. Potassium salts help remove excess water from the body, and antiseptic properties help cope with inflammation of the bladder and even the kidneys. Clinical studies confirm that leeks, the benefits and harms of which are constantly being studied, are excellent in reducing appetite.
Vegetable significantly improves metabolic processes in the body, restores the functions of the liver and glands of the digestive system. This plant is endowed with choleretic properties, the ability to combat sclerotic plaques. It also brings relief to leeks and for complex diseases such as rheumatism and gout.
Leek (green portion) is recommended for people with low vision and high cholesterol. Doctors urge him to eat for colds, acute respiratory viral infections, runny nose, cough. It effectively facilitates breathing and protects against viruses, has the properties of a natural antibiotic.
It is believed that onions significantly increase efficiency and helps withstand heavy physical exertion.
Tasty, nutritious, low-calorie
Do you like a tasty meal, while you want to maintain a figure in excellent condition? Then you just need to replenish your diet with leeks. Subtle aroma, wonderful mild flavor and low calorie content made this product indispensable in the kitchen. It can be used in its raw form as a tasty snack, or you can cook a full-fledged dish from a vegetable. For example, braised leek has a great taste, there is absolutely no bitterness in it, and a portion of such a dish will fill the daily need for vitamins C and group B. Add it to meat and fish dishes, stews, soups, borscht. Onions will give an excellent aroma and sophisticated notes to dishes of mushrooms, potatoes, meat broths and even dough! This vegetable is great for any salad.
As a rule, it is customary to eat only young leaves and the white part of the onion. Old shoots are very hard and have an unpleasant taste. The problem is that this product remains fresh for a fairly short time. However, the longer you keep it, the more vitamin C accumulates in the plant stem.
Great news for people seeking to lose weight: leek, which is very low in calories, is great for a diet menu. Its energy value is only 33 kcal per 100 g of vegetable. In this case, you will receive the basic elements for the body:
- carbohydrates - 8.2 g;
- proteins - 2.0 g;
- water - 88 g.
Worth considering
Despite the fact that this vegetable is very tasty and contains many vitamins and minerals, there are some restrictions on its use in food. Need to know the measure! Do not use it in large quantities, otherwise there is a risk of increased blood pressure, the level of acidity of the stomach. Refuse onions if you suffer from peptic ulcer of the stomach and intestines. This is especially true for the period of exacerbation of the disease.
The vegetable contains a lot of essential oils in its composition, so it should be used with caution by women during breastfeeding, as onions can give an unpleasant aftertaste to breast milk. In other cases, you can safely use leeks. The benefits and harms of this vegetable give us the opportunity to decide whether it is worth introducing it into your daily diet.