May reduce inflammation and promote heart health
Leeks are alliums, a vegetable family that includes onions and garlic. Several studies have found that alliums reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. While the majority of this research has focused on onions or garlic, leeks include a number of beneficial chemicals that are considered to reduce inflammation and protect heart health. Kaempferol, for example, found in leeks, has anti-inflammatory effects. Kaempferol-rich meals have been linked to a decreased risk of heart attack or death from heart disease.
Furthermore, leeks include allicin and other thiosulfinates, which are sulfur compounds that may aid heart health by lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood clot formation. Numerous studies have shown eating vegetables in the allium family can lower blood pressure. Blood pressure control is critical for relieving the burden on the cardiovascular system and lowering the risk of stroke, heart disease, heart attack, and atherosclerosis.