NutriCoach

LEEKS

Benefits of leeks

Leeks, like garlic and onions, belong to a vegetable family called the Allium vegetables. Since leek is related to garlic and onions, it contains many of the same beneficial compounds found in these well-researched, health-promoting vegetables.

Lower LDL Cholesterol While Raising HDL Cholesterol

A high intake of Allium vegetables has been shown to reduce total cholesterol and LDL, or “bad” cholesterol levels, while at the same time raising HDL, or “good” cholesterol levels. This can be very important for preventing the development or progression of the blood vessel plaques that occur in atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. If these plaques grow too large or rupture, the result can be a heart attack or stroke. Allium vegetables have also been shown to lower high blood pressure, another risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

Protection from Cancer

Regular consumption of Allium vegetables, as little as two or more times a week, is associated with a reduced risk of prostate and colon cancer. The research focused on colon cancer suggests that several of the compounds found in these foods are able to protect colon cells from cancer-causing toxins, while also stopping the growth and spread of any cancer cells that do happen to develop.

Although leeks contain many of the same compounds as those active in fresh garlic and onions, they contain them in smaller amounts. For this reason, larger amounts of leeks may need to be eaten to obtain the benefits provided by its Allium family cousins. Fortunately, the mild, sweet taste of leeks makes this easy to do.

Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels

In addition to their unique properties as Allium family vegetables, leeks also emerged from our food ranking system as a very good source of manganese and a good source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, and iron. This particular combination of nutrients would make leeks particularly helpful in stabilizing blood sugar, since they not only slow the absorption of sugars from the the intestinal tract, but help ensure that they are properly metabolized in the body.