Leek has been used as food since the days of Ancient Egypt - many dishes are known in which the leek's taste is fully revealed. However, it also has medical value. Below are data on the health benefits and benefits of this plant, as well as on the features of use.

Did you know? A unique feature of the plant is an increase in the amount of ascorbic acid during storage by 1.5 times.

The composition of leek

Leek is widespread throughout Europe, in North America and the Mediterranean countries. The bulb of the usual form is absent, and the stem grows with a significant thickening. Thanks to the knowledge of how to properly grow a vegetable, the lower part of the stem remains white and tender - it is it that is used for food.

100 g of cooked onions contain:

• 29% of the daily intake of vitamin K;
• 11% manganese;
• 7% copper and vitamin B6;
• 6% of vitamin C, iron and folic acid;
• 5% vitamin A;
• 3% of calcium, magnesium, vitamin E and omega-3 fats.

The energy composition per 100 g is as follows:

• 2 g of protein;
• 0 g of fat;
• 8.2 g of carbohydrates.

Calorie content of the product is 33 kcal per 100 g.

Did you know? In the VI century, during the battle with the Saxons onion field, the inhabitants of Wales, on the advice of Bishop David of Welsh, attached leeks to their helmets in order to immediately see where they were and where they were enemies. Since then, this vegetable is considered one of the symbols of Wales.

What is useful leek for the human body

Leek has long been considered a healing plant and traditional healers recommend using it for many diseases.

• The product has the following qualities:
• increases appetite;
• acts as a diuretic;
• improves liver function;
• has an antisclerotic effect.

The therapeutic effect of leeks has been observed in such diseases:

• rheumatism;
• gout and scurvy;
• atherosclerosis;
• urolithiasis disease;
• obesity.

Leek is recommended for pregnant women. In addition to nutrients (such as folic acid), adding this vegetable to your diet will help prevent morning sickness. The delicate taste is also better tolerated by children, who often refuse to eat regular onions.

Important! Before use, the vegetable must be thoroughly washed, since sand and soil may be between the layers.

Cosmetic Leek Benefits

In addition to eating, a popular vegetable has found application in cosmetology. It has a beneficial effect on:

• facial skin, gently cleansing it, and therefore often is part of the mask-pilling;
• hair, strengthening and accelerating their growth, as well as removing dandruff. Finely grated onion is rubbed into the roots of the hair:
• nails, strengthening and healing them. The onion mask is applied to the nails, covered with a film and held for 30 minutes.

Features of the application for weight loss

Due to its low calorie content and complete lack of fat, leeks are part of many diets and nutrition systems for weight loss. The diuretic properties of the vegetable and its usefulness for the gastrointestinal tract, the property of normalizing metabolism, also contribute to weight loss. Vegetables are added to various soups, salads and casseroles.

Important! Do not throw away the green leaves of the plant! In them, you can wrap herbs for the broth or use them as a substrate for a double boiler.

Contraindications and possible harm

• Despite all the useful properties, excessive use of leek can lead to undesirable consequences:
• increase in pressure;
• increased acidity of the stomach;
• headache.

• Contraindications for the use of raw leek in food are as follows:
• acute inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, ulcers;
• oxalate stones;
• diseases of the bladder and kidneys.

Cooking methods

You can cook leek in different ways - which one to choose depends on the situation. The cooked vegetable has a delicate sweet taste and can become either a separate dish or a delicious side dish. Leek tastes best after languishing in butter, and it also adds a distinctive flavor to soups and broths.

The most popular recipes are:

• open pie (quiche), as well as fillings for various unsweetened pastries;
• French soups, for example, vischisois and coc-a-face;
• casseroles with potatoes and cheese (gratin);
• sauces for pasta (Italian pasta).

Storage Features

For storage, it is important to buy quality specimens with a dense stem and elastic leaves, without wilting. Shelf life in the refrigerator is 7-10 days. In a country house, you can use a cellar or storage with a temperature of about + 2 ° C for storage. If you place the stem with the root in a moistened mixture of sand and peat, the leek will continue to grow and bleach in the dark.

Washed and chopped leek can be frozen by folding in a bag or container. Leeks are an important part of a healthy diet. It is necessary to take into account its features and contraindications in order to get the maximum benefit from the plant.