Are Chives Paleo?

Short Answer:

Yes, Chives are Paleo!

Chives and Its Uses

Chive is a small edible bulb specie of the Allium and its scientific name is allium schoenoprasum and is the same family as garlic, shallots and leeks. Its stalks are slender and hollow and usually grow lavender flower heads. It is a perennial plant that spreads across Europe, Asia and North America. Chives are commonly used as herbs in many dishes but unlike garlic and onion, its bulb has unpleasant taste therefore, only the leaves are used for cooking.

This green, fragrant herb adds a pleasant, sweet and subtle garlic-onion flavor to savory dishes. It can also be a garnish to salads, soups and stews.

Aside from its culinary purpose, chives can also be used as pest control in gardens due to sulfur, which has insect-repelling properties.

Similar to garlic, chives also have medicinal functions. They have mild stimulant, diuretic and antiseptic properties and have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system.

Nutrition and Health Benefits of Chives

Chive is a wealth of nutrients. It is very healthy and nutritious herb and is rich in protein and is an excellent source of Vitamins A, C and K, calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron and above all, sulfur, which is very important in synthesizing antioxidants to boost its potential beneficial properties. Chive can also provide healthy amounts of B vitamis like pantothenic acid, riboflavin, niacin and thiamine.

Chives as a member of the onion family have health benefits similar to garlic and other allium plants.

Antioxidant and Anti cancer Properties

One study has shown that eating chives can lower the risk of esophageal and stomach cancer. Chives help the body produce glutathione, an agent that enables your body to identify toxins and other cancer-causing substances and eliminate them. As a diuretic, incorporating chives in your meals can make you urinate more often, thus, eliminating excess toxins, fats, water and salt and clearing the body from hazardous substances.

Eye Health

Chives contain carotenes and flavanoids such as zeaxanthin and lutein which have anti cancer properties that can kill oxidative stress or free radicals. These two are mostly effective in the ocular system, preventing macular degeneration.

Digestive Health

Chives are high in fiber which can be used as laxative. Fiber can help clean the colon, hence, lowering the risk of colon cancer. The antibacterial properties of chives can help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that may wreak havoc to the gastrointestinal system. It can also increase nutrient absorption in the gut. Chives also consist of allyl sulfides and organic compounds that are helpful in easing digestive discomforts.

Heart Health

Allyl propyl disulfide and diallyl disulfide are thiosulfinites that contain enzymes which convert to allicin when its leaves are cut or crushed. Allicin together with potassium, can help lower cholesterol production by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme responsible for producing cholesterol in liver cells. This enzyme is associated in decreasing blood pressure, block platelet clot formation, and lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Aside from allicin, chives also consists of quercetin, a compound which is associated in lowering cholesterol levels and plaque in the arteries.

Immune System Health

Chive is an excellent source of vitamin C which helps in boosting the immune system.