Leek, antioxidant activity, balsamic property, diuretic property, cardio protective effects
Description : Leek is a nutritious vegetable belongs to Allium genus. It has profound health benefits and should
Article Details :
Leek is a nutritious vegetable belongs to Allium genus. It has profound health benefits and should be consumed in regular diet for obtaining a disease free health.
Nutritional profile
- It contains fewer amounts of carbohydrate but desirable amount of fibre
- It contains too some extent of protein and fat
- It is rich in several micronutrients, which include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, iron, copper, sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese and magnesium
- It also contains various polyphenolic compounds that make it more health worthy
Biological activities
Antioxidant property
- Polyphenols of leek are responsible for exerting potent antioxidant activities
- It helps to decrease the concentration of free radicals within body hence reduces the prevalence of developing oxidative stress
- It also helps to protect every cell of the body from oxidative damages hence enhances their functionality
- Consumption of leek is very beneficial for decreasing the susceptibility of developing chronic diseases
Anti-inflammatory property
- Leek contains various bioactive compounds, which are accountable for exerting anti-inflammatory activities
- It helps to decrease the susceptibility of inflammation as well as swelling and pain by reducing the level of inflammatory markers within body
- It should be consumed for lessening the risk of developing chronic inflammatory diseases
Anti-carcinogenic property
- It plays imperative role in reducing the prevalence of developing cancers
- Allyl sulfide component of leek is responsible for inhibiting the growth of tumor cell
- It is closely related with suppressing the growth of malignant cells by regulating apoptosis and cellular proliferation
- It significantly reduces metastasis
- Its consumption is extremely effective for reducing the prevalence of colon, ovarian and breast cancers
Aphrodisiac property
- It has potent aphrodisiac activities
- Its consumption is very effective for stimulating libido as well as sexual desire in both genders
Balsamic property
- Leek juice contains numerous volatile oils, which are responsible for exerting balsamic action especially on respiratory tract
- It plays significant role on preventing the prevalence of cold, flu and hay fever
Diuretic property
- It has diuretic property, which is associated with increasing urination and hence helps to eliminate waste product from body
- It is enormously helpful for inhibiting the retention of excessive water and salt within body
- It is also associated with flushes out toxins from blood hence helps to make the body healthy
Health benefits
Role on vision
- It contains zeaxanthin and lutein, which play vital role in promoting eye sight
- It helps to filter out harmful light rays from entering into eyes
- It also helps to protect the eye from oxidative damages
- Its consumption is very effective for reducing the prevalence of age related macular degeneration and cataract
Role on digestive health
- It contains both soluble and insoluble fibre that promotes digestion
- Its fibre content is also responsible for promoting bowel movement that results in easy defecation hence helps in cleansing the bowel and prevents constipation
- It helps to strengthen stomach and gut and also promotes their functionality
- Consumption of leek is closely related with increasing the load of beneficial intestinal flora that improves colonic health
- It also helps to protect the gastrointestinal tract from oxidative damages thus reduces the susceptibility of developing gastrointestinal disorders
- It mainly helps to decrease the prevalence of diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and peptic ulcer
Role on weight management
- Individual who want to lose their body weight should include leek in their daily diet as it does not contain enough fat and provides very less amount of calorie
- It acts as an effective appetite suppressant, which helps to make an individual feel fuller for long period of time hence reduces food consumption that helps to facilitate weight reduction by generating a negative energy balance within body
Role on skeletal system
- Consumption of leek is extremely helpful for promoting skeletal health
- It contains Vitamin K that is responsible for activating osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is a protein, which plays vital role in Read more
