Chives belong to the allium family of herbs, which means that they are related to onions and garlic. However, the stems are the only edible parts, plus chives do not taste as strong and pungent as their relatives. In fact, they possess a delicate flavor that can make an assortment of dishes taste a lot better. Because of their mild taste, it’s best to add chives only when the dish you are whipping up is nearly cook or already being simmered for a couple more minutes.
Aside from making soups, salads, omelets, frittatas, dips and many others taste impressive and look more eye-catching (yup, they make for excellent garnishing, too!), chives also provide all sorts of health benefits. This does not come as a surprise since they are a part of the allium family. The inclusion of chives in the diet is said to be good for the digestive, circulatory and immune systems. Studies say that chives can help reduce one’s risk of cancer, too. These popular herbs are also known to help keep your vision sharp, as well as ward off osteoporosis.
Make sure that you will get all the beneficial nutrients and antioxidants in chives by employing a sharp knife to chop them up. Otherwise, those beneficial oils will only end up on the chopping board rather than in the food that you are preparing. And just like what’s mentioned earlier, sprinkle chives on your dish only when it is ready to be removed on the stove and served on the table in order to prevent the beneficial compounds from being destroyed by heat.
Without further ado, here are some of the reasons why chives are some of the most amazing herbs on the planet:
Chives Cleanse the Digestive Tract
Just like other members of the allium family of herbs, chives contain impressive amounts of sulfur compounds. This only means that having chives included in your diet will help zap toxins and microbes along the GI tract, thus improving digestion and eliminating a variety of digestive issues.
They Also Purify the Rest of Your Body
It’s not just your gut that chives help cleanse, but the rest of your body as well. It’s for the fact that these herbs have mild diuretic properties. Consuming them helps speed up the excretion of impurities trapped within you via increased production of urine.
Eating Them May Lower Your Cancer Risk
It is said that there are numerous types of antioxidants present in chives, and one of them is quercetin. Numerous studies suggest that quercetin may be effective against an assortment of cancers. By the way, if the name rings a bell, that’s because quercetin is also found in apples, particularly in their peels.
These Herbs Help Sharpen Your Vision
Other antioxidants found abundantly in chives are lutein and zeaxanthin. Both of these powerful antioxidants help shield the components of the eyes from being damaged by free radicals. By including chives in your diet regularly, problems like cataracts and macular degeneration can be prevented.
Chives Drive Away Birth Defects
Are you in the family way and do you want to protect your little one against birth defects? Make sure that you add more folic acid-rich foods in your diet, such as chives! Experts say that folic acid in the said herbs helps ward off neural tube defects in newborn babies.
They Help Keep Osteoporosis at Bay
One of the key nutrients found in chives is vitamin K, something that’s vital for keeping your bones strong. The role of vitamin K in the prevention of osteoporosis is this: the said nutrient helps ensure that calcium stays in your bones rather than spill into your bloodstream.
Consuming Them is Good for Your Heart
Numerous beneficial compounds can be found in chives, and one of them is the so-called allicin. Also found in other members of the allium family, allicin in chives helps lower bad cholesterol levels. Similarly, the said compound is known to help keep high blood pressure in check.
