7 Benefits of Chives that Not Many Know
7 Benefits of Chives that Not Many Know
The benefits of chives for health are very diverse. Behind the sharp aroma, chives contain a variety of nutrients that are abundant and important for the health of the body, from maintaining brain health and function to reducing the risk of cancer.
Chives are often consumed by Indonesian people as a complementary dish or a mixture of various dishes, such as chicken porridge and spring rolls. The hallmark of this vegetable is its hollow leaves and unique taste.
Various Nutrient Contents of Chives
In 100 grams of chives, there are about 30 calories and a variety of the following nutrients:
- 3 grams of protein
- 4.5 grams of carbohydrates
- 2.5 grams of fiber
- 90 milligrams of calcium
- 40 milligrams of magnesium
- 60 milligrams of phosphorus
- 100 micrograms of folate
- 300 milligrams of potassium
- 5 milligrams of choline
- 2600 micrograms beta carotene
- 200 micrograms of vitamin A
- 60 milligrams of vitamin C
- 210 micrograms of vitamin K
Chives also contain iron, selenium, zinc, B vitamins, as well as flavonoid antioxidants, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Not only that, chives also contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.
Various Benefits of Chives for Health
Chives are one type of food with abundant nutritional content. Therefore, there are various benefits of chives that you can get, including:
1. Improve memory and concentration
Chives contain choline, folate, and antioxidants that are good for maintaining brain health and function. In this case, the various ingredients in the chives can improve your memory, focus, and concentration.
Some research also shows that the consumption of nutritious foods, including chives, appears to reduce the risk of dementia due to dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
2. Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
Not many know that chives can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart disease. The benefits of chives come from the antioxidant content that can reduce inflammation and prevent damage to blood vessels in the body.
In addition, chives also contain fiber which is good for reducing cholesterol, so it can prevent the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood vessels (atherosclerosis) which causes cardiovascular disease.
3. Control blood pressure
The content of potassium and flavonoid antioxidants in chives has been shown to be effective for lowering and controlling blood pressure. Therefore, chives are good for consumption by people who want to keep their blood pressure stable, including people with high blood pressure or hypertension.
4. Maintain healthy skin
Skin is a part of the body that is easily exposed to pollution and sunlight. If skin health is not maintained, these organs can be easily damaged and experience premature aging. Excessive sun exposure in the long term can also increase the risk of skin cancer.
Chives contain vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants that the body needs to fight free radicals that cause damage to body cells, including skin cells. Therefore, chives are good for consumption to maintain healthy skin and prevent it from being damaged by the effects of UV exposure from the sun.
5. Reduce the risk of cancer
Chives contain various types of antioxidants and substances that have anticancer properties. A research in the laboratory shows that chives extract is useful for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
Therefore, you can add chives to your daily healthy diet to reduce the risk of cancer.
However, keep in mind also that the way to prevent cancer is not only by consuming chives. You also need to live a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a balanced nutritious diet, not smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages, and exercising regularly.
6. Prevent osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that occurs when bone density decreases. If the density is reduced, the bones will break easily. One of the causes of osteoporosis is a lack of calcium intake.
Chives contain calcium and vitamin K which are good for maintaining bone density and preventing osteoporosis. In order for the benefits of chives to be more optimal, you also need to have adequate intake of calcium and vitamin K from various other types of food, such as milk, cheese, fish, meat, and green vegetables.
7. Smooth digestion
Chives are a good source of dietary fiber. This intake serves to maintain the health and function of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as compact the stool. Therefore, chives are good consumed to prevent and treat constipation.
Not only that, the fiber and antioxidant content in chives is also useful for reducing the risk of colon cancer.
In addition to the 7 benefits of chives above, there are many other benefits of chives, such as maintaining liver function and strengthening the immune system. However, the various benefits of chives still need to be studied further.
Although often consumed as a complementary dish, you can also be creative with other types of food so you don't get bored of eating chives.
For example, you can use chives as a sprinkling on garlic bread or a salad mix, which is delicious and healthy. You can also saute the chives and eat it as a side dish to complement the rice.
In general, chives are good to be consumed regularly because they are beneficial for the health of the body. However, if you have a history of allergies to onions, you should limit or reduce the consumption of chives because there is a risk of allergic reactions, such as itching, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
To be healthier, you are also advised to complement the variety of foods consumed. If you still have questions about the content and benefits of chives for health, you can consult a doctor.
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