Chronic kidney failure or chronic kidney diseases is described as the gradual loose of kidney function. When this life-threatening condition reaches its advanced stage, electrolytes, wastes, and dangerous levels of fluid can rapidly accumulate in the body.
Some of its common symptoms are fatigue, blood in the urine, high blood pressure, pain on the side or lower back, unexplained headaches, loss of appetite, frequents urination especially at night, persistent itchiness of the skin, edema, and many more. Its risk factors include those with heart diseases, diabetes, people aged over 60, and who has a family member with kidney disease.
Chinese Chives and Kidney Function
Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) belong to the chive family of onion species. It can easily be grown and is very common in Asian cuisine. Other call it garlic chives because it has a garlic-like flavor.
This herb has long, lush green shoots, which can also be termed as its sharp leaves. It blooms beautiful white flowers that look so good that they are used in floral bouquets. At the base of the garlic chive plants, white-sheathed bulbs are developed.
Nutritional Value Of Chives Per 100 Grams
According to a study conducted by researchers from the Hefei University of Technology in China, Chinese chive or garlic chive can help improve kidney functions due to its kidney-protective effects.
For the study, Chinese chive water extracts were given to mice with chronic kidney failure due to high levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. After five weeks, the team observed that the extract was able to significantly reduce serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, as well as renal pathological damages in the mice. Additionally, Chinese chive extract was also able to prevent oxidative stress and inflammation in the kidneys of mice.
With these findings, the researchers concluded that Chinese chive water extract can be used to develop a functional food supplement that can treat chronic kidney failure.
Results of this study were published in the journal Food Science and Human Wellness.
Other Benefits Of Chinese Chives And How To Add Them To Your Diet
Aside from the kidney protective effects of Chinese chives, it also offers other numerous health benefits.
Chinese chives have been used traditionally for regulating hemorrhages, increasing energy, as an antidote for some poisons, and for helping with ailments of the liver, kidneys and digestive tract. It has lots of fiber and vitamins that help treat constipation and promote gastrointestinal motility. Here are some of its more detailed benefits.
Helps Fight Cancer
Chives are significantly rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, fiber, and allicin which all help protect the body from lung, colon, breast, prostate and mouth cancer. It helps the body produce glutathione, an agent that help the body identify the cancer-causing substances and eliminate them.
Several studies have shown that allium veggies (those containing allicin) possess preventive effects against stomach and esophagus cancers.
Helps Improve Bone Health
Vitamin K which is present in chives aid in the regulation of cells that help prevent bone demineralization. It helps maintain bone integrity and density and also support the production of osteocalcin, a protein needed to maintain bone mineral density.
Helps Protect The Heart
Quercetin in chives helps reduce the build-up of plaque in the arteries. Moreover, its allicin content helps control blood pressure levels and reduces the stiffness of the blood vessels. It has folic acid, that prevents the constriction of blood vessels, and vitamin C that improves iron absorption and elasticity of the blood capillaries.
Might Improve Hair Health
Some studies showed that Chinese chive can help prevent hair breakage, stimulate hair growth, increase blood flow to the scalp, and strengthen hair roots.
For this purpose, a chive oil hair mask can do the magic. Boil chives in water for about 30 seconds then cool them in cold water. Make a puree by placing the chive in half a cup of olive oil. Apply it to the scalp for 30 minutes. Shampoo as usual and rinse well.
How To Add Chinese Chives To Your Diet
Add chives to flavor and garnish mayonnaise, salads, dips, sauces, cheeses omelets, pasta, meat, and seafood.
- Use Chinese chives to add a mild garlic flavor to soups, pickles, and stir-fries.
- Use them raw or dried in salads, fish, soups, scrambled eggs, or sauces.
- Add them at the very end of cooking to preserve their flavor.
- Chive blossoms can be eaten just when coming into bloom.
- Dried chives can be reconstituted by moistening with a salad dressing or lemon juice.
