Health Benefits of Chives - Nutritional Value of Chives

Chive is the name given to the smallest species of the onion family, which also includes onions, garlic, shallots and leeks. Chives can usually be seen in clumps and their stalks have a light, onion flavor. Chives comprise of a bulb that is attached with leaves. The bulb is slender and conical in shape; it’s 2-3 cm long and 1 cm broad. The leaves, on the other hand, are hollow and tubular, up to 50 cm long and 2-3 mm in diameter. Chives are native to Europe and have been cultivated since the Middle Ages. The natives, particularly the Romans believed that chives could relieve one from the pain of a sunburn or throat infection. They were also of the belief that consumption of chives could increase blood pressure and function as a diuretic.

Nutritional Value of Chives

Nutrient/100 gm.	Content
Energy	30 Kcal
Carbohydrates	4.35 g
Protein	3.27 g
Total Fat	0.73 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Dietary Fiber	2.5 g
Vitamins
Folates	105 µg
Niacin	0.647 mg
Pantothenic acid	0.324 mg
Pyridoxine	0.138 mg
Riboflavin	0.115 mg
Thiamin	0.078 mg
Vitamin A	4353 IU
Vitamin C	58.1 mg
Vitamin E	0.21 mg
Vitamin K	212.7 µg
Electrolytes
Sodium	3 mg
Potassium	296 mg
Minerals
Calcium	92 mg
Copper	0.157 mg
Iron	1.60 mg
Magnesium	42 mg
Manganese	0.373 mg
Phosphorus	58 mg
Selenium	0.9 µg
Zinc	0.56 mg

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Chives

Chives, when finely chopped and consumed with food, are said to aid digestion and stimulate appetite.
Consumption of chives has been found to be beneficial for the respiratory system of an individual.
It has been seen that chives can help the body in digesting fatty foods, such as cheese.
For those suffering from tiredness and fatigue, consuming chives can be a good remedy.
Since chives have diuretic properties, they can reduce obesity and fluid retention.
Studies have revealed that chives help reduce the risk of prostate cancer, by as much as 50 percent.
Chives have mild anti-inflammatory properties.
The oil of Chinese chives is believed to help heal bruises and kill germs in the intestines.
It decreases blood vessel stiffness and helps in the reduction of the total blood pressure.
The leaves of Chives can be applied to treat insect bites, cuts and wounds.
Chive seeds are used for treating problems associated with the kidney, liver and the digestive system.
Chives have been shown to help lower cholestrol when included in a balanced diet.

Buying and Storing Tips

Look for chives that are fresh and also uniform in size. They should also have evenly colored green leaves.
Wrap the fresh chives in a damp paper towel and store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. They can stay fresh up to one week.
Do not wash the chives until you need to use them.

Cooking Tips for Chives

Tips For Washing and Cutting Chives

To use the chive from the plant, cut an inch or two from the ground.
Wash the chives thoroughly under running water or by soaking them in a bowl. Make sure that the dirt is removed from the plant.
You may need to chop or mince chives for most of the recipes.

Tips for Cooking Chives

Chives taste best in their raw state. If you want to cook them, it is better to add them at the end of the cooking process, so that the flavor remains intact.
Chives are one of the key ingredients in a classic French seasoning called fines herbs. The seasoning is very simple and be made at home.
Chives can be used in a number of main course dishes, salads and soups.
Chives are not only added in the process of cooking, but are also used for garnishing.

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Benefits Of Chives

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