Chives- Health benefits, nutrition, uses and calories

Chives belong to the same family as onions, leeks, and garlic, but it has milder taste. The clinical studies have found chives as  anti-inflammatory, cancer preventive property, aid in detoxification, stimulate sexual desires, rich in antioxidants, anti-fungal and useful in reliving pain. It is low calorie and nutrient dense food.

Chives nutrition facts and calories

  • The botanical name of chives is Allium schoenoprasum.
  • It is very low in Cholesterol and Sodium.
  • A 100 gm of chives contain 30 calories.
  • It is also a good source of Thiamin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.
  • Consuming 2 tbsp of chopped chives supplies 16% of daily recommended Vitamin K requirement. Vitamin K is essential
  • A 100 gm of chives provide 145 % of daily recommended Vitamin A requirement.
  • It is rich in many phytonutrients including flavonoid antioxidants like carotenes, zeaxanthin, lutein, and many other.chives-health-benefits,nutrition,uses-and-calories

Health benefits of chives

Anti cancer

In a meta-analysis study, the consumption of large amounts of Allium vegetables like chives, garlic, leek, onion ans shallot helps to reduce the risk for gastric cancer.

In another study, chives contain many compounds that helps to kill human colon cancer cells.

Detoxification

 

Dioxin is highly toxic persistent environmental pollutants and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.

Furan is found in heat-treated commercial foods and listed under possible human carcinogen. It is produced through thermal degradation of natural food constituents i.e variety of foods that had undergone heat treatment. It is known to be toxic to liver and can be found in roasted coffee, instant coffee, and processed baby foods.

According to a study, the consumption of a variety of vegetables including chives, cabbage helps to reduce the absorption and enhance excretion of dioxin and furan toxins.

Eating food like chives can be helpful in treatment and prevention of dioxin and furan toxicity.

Stimulate sexual desire

Eating foods like chives, nutmeg can be helpful in treatment of low libido as studies has shown that they have aphrodisiac properties that are known to stimulates sexual desire.

Antioxidants

According to a research study, the bulb, leaf and stalk of chives exhibit antioxidant activity. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the leaves. It protects the body from free ions or oxidative stress damage.

Anti-bacterial

A study has shown that chives exhibit antimicrobial and anti-bacterial activity that is useful against some strains of food-borne pathogens such as Escherichiac coli. Consuming chives regularly helps to protect body from various infections like Escherichia coli Infections.

Anti-fungal

Study indicated that chives has anti-fugal effect against various fungal infections.

Anti-inflammatory

Eating chives can be helpful in reducing inflammation or swelling.

According to a research study, the leaves of chives has found anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting phagocytosis through the reduction of nitro-oxidative stress.

Pain management

Due to strong anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants, anti-microbial properties, chives can be used to relieve pain from sunburn and sore throat.

How to use or eat chives in diet?

Add fresh chives to baked potatoes, cream soups, and egg dishes.