The Benefits of Allium Vegetables to Our Health
These vegetables are members of the plant genus Allium. They are strongly scented and have a distinct flavor. A few of these vegetables are garlic, onions, leeks, shallots and chives. Traditional vegetarian meals include these vegetables. Most people are not aware of the benefits these vegetables offer.
Allium vegetables have been used for medicine and cooking for centuries. These vegetables are among the oldest cultivated plants. Allium vegetables are high in sulfur compounds, which have been used to treat a number of ailments. They have been used to treat types of cancers such as stomach and colorectal cancer. They are beneficial in treating coronary heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cataracts and gastrointestinal disturbances.
Many herbalists often use garlic to fight infections. Garlic is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is even effective in fighting viruses. Garlic has even been used to fight parasites in the intestinal tract. It has even been used as an anticoagulant to prevent blood clots. To sum it all up garlic is a very multi-purpose herb.
Doctors recommend making allium vegetables a part of your daily diet due to all of the health benefits they offer. To obtain the most health benefits from garlic and onions it is best to eat them raw. Raw onions and garlic work well in salads. Raw onion can also be eaten on sandwiches. Onions can also be sautéed or mixed into recipes. Dips and baked potatoes are great for adding chives into.
Don't care for onions all that much? Scallions are a popular alternative to plain onions. Scallions just happen to be an immature bulb onion plant. They are actually harvested before the bulb has had a chance to reach full maturity. If you are looking for a scallion with a mild flavor the allium fistulosum, or bunching onions, produce this type of scallion.
Another allium vegetable with a mild taste is leeks. They are not quite as bitter as scallions. A lot of people use leeks when they make soup. When you use leeks in soup they work well without any other vegetables or meats. Leeks may also be used in potato soup or vichyssoise.
The possibilities for including allium vegetables in your diet are endless. Using these vegetables will decrease your risk for several serious health problems. If you don't care for onions or garlic there are many other allium vegetables that are sure to suit your taste buds.
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