Leeks share similar health promoting properties to other ‘allium’ family vegetables including garlic and onion. They are bursting with nutrients and are particularly wonderful for cardio-vascular health.
Many components of leeks contribute to supporting the cardio vascular system. The flavonoid, kaempferol present in leeks, increases a natural gas in blood vessels which helps to keep them flexible and protect them from damage.
Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. However the B vitamin folate, found in leeks, will help to reduce this risk by helping to keep our homocysteine levels low.
There are also a number of fantastic antioxidant nutrients which help to protect our blood cells from oxidative damage.
In order to boost the leek’s health promoting properties, leave them to sit for over 5 minutes after cutting and before cooking.
Try combining your leeks into a healthy sauté with fennel or seasonal greens, include them in a tasty frittata or blend them into a rich vichyssoise soup.
My weekly ‘Nutritional Nugget’ written for Fields to Fork Organics
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