Chives leaves has the scientific name of Allium schoenoprasum. Chives leaves has almost the same shape as onions, but has a longer stalk with a color that tends to be white. Because it is still a family with onions, it has a shape that is almost similar to a leek but with a smaller size.

Generally, chives leaves are used in a variety of dishes, such as soups, sauces, to reduce fishy odors, various Mexican dishes, potato dishes and various other foods. Chives leaves have a lighter taste and are less stinging when compared to other onions if added in cooking. Chives leaves have a softer aroma and a lighter flavor than other types of leek.

Nutrition in Chives Leaves

Before talk about the health benefits of chives leaves, let’s find out what’s in chives leaves here!

General Content:

• Energy generated: 30 kcal (kilo calories)
• Water: 90.65 grams
• Protein: 3.27 grams
• Fat (lipids): 0.73 grams
• Carbohydrates: 4.35 grams
• Fiber: 2.5 grams
• Sugar: 1.85 grams

Mineral:

• Calcium / Calcium (Ca): 92 mg (milli grams)
• Iron / Ferrum (Fe): 1.60 mg
• Magnesium (Mg): 42 mg
• Phosphorus / Phosphorus (F): 58 mg
• Potassium, K: 296 mg
• Sodium, Na: 3 mg
• Zinc / Zinc (Zn): 0.56 mg

Vitamins:

• Vitamin C, the amount of ascorbic acid: 58.1 mg
• Thiamin: 0.078 mg
• Riboflavin: 0.115 mg
• Niacin: 0.647 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.138 mg
• Folic Acid, DFE: 105 pg
• Vitamin B12: 0.00 pg
• Vitamin A: 4353 IU
• Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol): 0.21 mg
• Vitamin D (D2 + D3): 0.0 pg
• Vitamin D: 0 IU
• Vitamin K (phylloquinone): 212.7 pg

Fat Conceived:

• Fatty acids, saturated amount: 0.146 grams
• Fatty acids, the amount of monounsaturated: 0.095 grams
• Fatty acids, the amount of polyunsaturated: 0.267 grams
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Caffeine Contained: 0 mg

Although it has a small shape, it has many health benefits of chives leaves. Chives leaves is one of the original herbal ingredients in Europe, North America and parts of Asia. But now its use has begun to spread around the world, because it is often used as a material in a particular culinary. So, here are the health benefits of chives leaves:

1. Prevent Problems On The Digestive System

The content on the chives such as fiber, flavonoid, sulfur, alkolio and other substances contained in the chives leaves can serve as antioxidants and help overcome digestive problems.

The antioxidant activity of the chives leaves is also associated with its capacity to neutralize free radicals, inhibit enzymes responsible for the production of reactive oxygen species, attracting metal ions, and increasing cellular antioxidant inhibiting components. The content of flavonoids in chives leaves also helps to bind the proteins that regulate fluid secretion in the small intestine.

In addition, chives leaves also have a natural antibacterial properties that are able to fight various types of bacteria that cause disturbances in the digestive system. In this way, the digestion will be healthier and can work with the maximum.

2. Prevent cancer

As with other types of onions, chives leaves also contain quercetin compounds that can prevent some types of cancer. In various studies have shown that quercetin is able to prevent various types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and ovarian cancer.

In addition, the content of antioxidants and vitamin K in chives leaves will also participate in helping and preventing various types of cancer, by preventing free radicals developing in our bodies. These free radicals can speed up the spread and growth of cancer cells.

The content of vitamin K in chives leaves can strengthen bones. Vitamin K can increase the productivity of osteotrophic hormones in bones that can prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin K is also able to prevent neuronal brain damage and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the flavonoid content in it is able to avoid the attack of lung cancer and oral cancer.

3. Strengthens Bone and Prevents Osteoporosis

The content of vitamin K in chives leaves can strengthen bones. Vitamin K can increase the productivity of osteotrophic hormones in bone that can prevent osteoporosis. Indeed, that’s one of many health benefits of chives leaves.

4. Improving Fertility

Chives leaves are also rich in folic acid and vitamin C. Folic acid helps improve fetal health during pregnancy and also improves reproductive health for both men and women. While vitamin C is able to boost the immune system so as to dispel the disease.

5. Prevent Sprue

Eating scallion chives leaves or roots on chives leaves may also prevent sprue. Sprue can occur due to the body lack of adequate intake of vitamin C, loss of fluid, or can also occur due to lack of nutritional bodies such as Vitamin B 12 and iron. Well, chives leaves contain high vitamin C benefits, B12 and iron, so it is very capable as one of the food prevention of sprue if consumed daily.

6. Preventing the Risk of Defects In The Fetus In Gynecology

What’s more health benefits of chives leaves? For pregnant women is strongly recommended to consume chives leaves during the pregnancy. The health benefits of chives leaves have a high content of Vitamin K and folic acid is good enough for pregnant women to avoid the risk of defects in infants in the womb.

Folic acid and vitamin K will ensure fetal development. Folic acid can prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects in newborns and vitamin K prevents defects in the baby’s bone organ.

7. Lose Bad Cholesterol Levels

Chives leaves containing healthy fat in the form of omega 3 and omega 6 fats that can help the body more awake and immune system becomes stronger. Chives leaves also contain allicin compounds that can lower levels of bad cholesterol or LDL in the body. The fiber contained in the chives leaves is not only beneficial in the digestive system but also for people who have high cholesterol. The fiber in its course can contract cholesterol in the blood vessels back to the organ that needs it or is disposed of as fecal matter.

8. Prevent Heart Disease

Effects on the decline in cholesterol levels also affect the heart’s organs in order to stay in healthy condition. Allicin in chives leaves are also able to lower blood pressure. Allicin and potassium in chives leaves work together in reducing cardiovascular tension. The presence of quercetin content in chives also reduces cholesterol levels and reduces the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, so we will avoid going from cardiovascular disease.

9. Neutralize Toxins In The Body

Chives leaves are also a good source for chlorophyll and vitamin K. Rich mineral salts with alkaline elements are highly dominant. This helps keep the blood clean, the mind and body healthy. Minerals contains in chives leaves can neutralize toxins in the body. This natural detoxification will be felt, so that the body will be free from toxins, which ultimately contribute to the health of the liver.

10. Helps Recovery of Body Network

Eating chives leaves can speed up the resurgence of tired muscles, tissues, and nerves. The chives leaves are high in magnesium content that plays an important role in tissue, nervous, brain, and muscular recovery, which contributes to shortening recovery time.

11. Boost the immune system

Chives leaves also contains vitamin C is high enough, which will help improve our immune system. The growing body immune system will make our body more and more white blood cell production and also stimulate collagen production. Collagen is necessary to make new blood vessels, tissues, cells and muscles in our body.

12. Maintain eye health

Zaexanthin and lutein are carotene-based antioxidants. Two compounds that will later be responsible in maintaining eye health and reduce tension in the eye system which can be found in chives leaves. Later this will prevent the emergence of cataracts on the eyes. These two compounds are also able to prevent or slow the occurrence of macular degeneration, thus making your eyes will remain healthy until old age.

14. Natural detoxification

Chives leaves has a mild natural diuretic properties. With the nature of diuretic in chives leaves, then various types of toxins, water, salt and even excessive fat in the body though will also be wasted. That way, then the various system organs in our body will work optimally. System organ that works optimally will make our body more healthy.

Very rare cases of allergy to chives leaves. However, using excessive amounts of chives leaves can cause the appearance of discomfort in the abdomen. Such things are usually caused by too strong organic compounds. Well, we now know the health benefits of chives leaves.

If you are suffering from allergies to onions and other onion families, including chives leaves, then you should first consult a physician before using chives leaves to maintain your health.