Leeks belong to the same family as onions, shallots, scallions, chives and garlic. They look like a giant green onion but have a much milder, somewhat sweet flavor and a creamier texture when cooked.
Leeks are usually cultivated, but wild varieties. Such as the North American wild leek. Also known as ramps — are gaining popularity.
Ramps are popular with foragers and top chefs alike due to their potent flavor. UFABET Which is a cross between garlic, scallions, and commercially grown leeks.
All varieties are nutritious and thought to offer a host of health benefits.
Leeks are nutrient-dense, meaning that they’re low in calories yet high in vitamins and minerals.
One 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of cooked leeks has only 31 calories.
At the same time, they’re particularly high in provitamin A carotenoids. Including beta carotene. Your body converts these carotenoids into vitamin A. Which is important for vision, immune function, reproduction and cell communication .
They’re also a good source of vitamin K1, which is necessary for blood clotting and heart health.
Meanwhile, wild ramps are particularly rich in vitamin C. Which aids immune health, tissue repair, iron absorption, and collagen production. In fact, they offer around twice as much vitamin C as the same quantity of oranges .
Leeks are also a good source of manganese. Which may help reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and promote thyroid health. What’s more, they provide small amounts of copper, vitamin B6, iron, and folate