Onions: beneficial properties and contraindications. Useful properties of onions: contraindications, benefits and harms
Onions are a vegetable crop; they are grown both in summer cottages for personal consumption and on an industrial scale. There are many types of onions in the world, about 500. Based on their taste, all varieties are divided into three categories:
- Spicy.
- Peninsular.
- Sweet.
Most often we grow varieties of hot onions, the color of their peel is yellow. When preparing dishes, it is better to heat it - frying, stewing. Under the influence of temperatures, its taste and aromatic qualities are better revealed.
Sweet varieties of onions have white husks and are traditionally used in salads. The semi-sharp varieties are red in color and are used as a salad crop. White and red varieties are productive, but less shelf-stable than onions with yellow husks.
A medium-sized onion contains the daily requirement of ascorbic acid. Its chemical composition is unique:
- Essential oils
- Sahara.
- Macro and microelements.
- Carotenoids.
- Vitamins: retinol, thiamine, ascorbic acid, D, E, K.
- Amino acids: valine, leucine, methionine, threonine, glycine, lysine, tryptophan, arginine, histidine.
- Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.
The diuretic and bactericidal properties of onions have been tested in practice. Its positive effect on the secretion of gastric juice and heart function. There is evidence of its anti-sclerotic properties.
Onion-based medicinal products can be used for diseases:
- Avitaminosis
- Atherosclerosis
- Headache
- Hypertension
- Stones in the kidneys
Recipes based on onions:
Atherosclerosis, internal edema
Chop a medium-sized onion and add 250 gm. Sahara. Leave for at least 4 days. The course of administration is one month, 1 tablespoon 4 times a day. Helps reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.
Recipe using onion juice and honey: Take a glass of both ingredients, mix, let stand for a while. Before meals, take one tablespoon.
The same recipe, honey and onion juice, having diuretic properties, will help with swelling and dropsy.
Avitaminosis
The causes of vitamin deficiency are different: chronic diseases that impair the absorption of vitamin C, major surgery, work overload, and an incorrectly chosen diet for weight loss.
With this diagnosis, add fresh onions to all salads and sandwiches, do this daily.
Skin problems
There are many proven recipes with onions used to eliminate skin problems:
- Purulent wounds, ulcers
- Boils
- Burns
- Fungus
- Chiryi
From boils
You will need the same amount of onion and garlic, crushed to a pasty state. Add to them black pepper, salt, honey in the same parts, mix everything, heat in the oven or in a water bath. Apply the resulting mixture to the boils. The pus will come out, the wound will heal without scarring.
Purulent wounds, ulcers
Chop the onion and mash with a spoon or mortar. Cover the wound with a sterile napkin and spread onion pulp on top. Onion relieves pain, draws out pus, and speeds up healing of the wound.
Chop one small onion, add a tablespoon of calendula and willow bark. Pour a glass of boiling water over everything. Leave for 12 hours, add a tablespoon of honey. Use as an ointment.
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Skin fungus
Squeeze out fresh onion juice, add the same amount of honey, and treat the skin affected by the fungus with this product. A cure will occur after a few months, with strict adherence to personal hygiene.
Healing abrasions
Take one small carrot and one onion, chop on the finest grater, mix. Apply to abrasions and cuts.
You can bake the onion in the oven and apply it to the wound several times a day.
Boils
Bake the onion, divide in half. Tie one part to the boil while it is hot. Change after three hours.
Boil the onion, divide in half, rub the cut well with laundry soap. Apply to the boil and bandage it. Change for another day.
Skin burn
Mix one part of softened butter with two parts of boiled onion, chopped to a paste. Apply to the burn site and change every 10 hours.
Calluses
Place the onion peels in a glass container and fill it with table vinegar. After 14 days, take out the husk, squeeze it out, apply it to the callus, and apply a bandage. After half a day, remove everything, steam your foot, the callus will go away
Helminths
You can get rid of roundworms and pinworms in a week. Steam a small, chopped onion with 2 cups of boiling water and leave for half a day. Take half a glass before each meal.
For adults. Fill the container with onions, pour vodka. Leave for 10 days. For two weeks, take 1 tablespoon of tincture before each meal.
An infusion will help get rid of Giardia: cut an onion, steam with a glass of boiling water. Leave overnight. Drink for three days, a third of a glass per day.
Milk and onions - double effect
The medicinal properties of milk and onions have been known for a long time; there are many time-tested folk recipes that include them. A special effect is observed in the treatment of colds.
Some great recipes:
- Take 1 liter. milk, onion 10 pcs., garlic 1 pc. Grind and cook in milk until softened. Cool, add 1 tbsp. l. honey Children are given 1 tbsp. l. before meals, adults 2 tbsp. l. The reception lasts until they recover.
- For dry cough a drink will help. Boil the onion in a glass of milk, crush it. Take the medicine in two doses.
- Paroxysmal cough will lighten the drink from 1 tbsp. milk, 0.5 tsp. sage, 1 chopped onion. Boil milk, add sage. Boil again. Remove from heat, add onion. Drink the drink throughout the day.
- For sore throat. Pour a glass of milk into a saucepan, add one onion, and cook over very low heat. Strain the drink and drink little by little all day.
- For bronchitis. Grind 10 onions, 3 garlic. Boil them in milk, drink the decoction without straining every hour.
Useful recipes for a healthy diet
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Onions can be beneficial not only as a medicine during illness, but also as an element of a healthy diet. There are many simple, delicious recipes where onions play a starring role.
Marinate onions in lemon juice
You will need:
- Onion 1 pc.
- Lemon 1 pc.
- Sugar, salt 0.5 teaspoon each
- Sunflower oil 1 tbsp. l.
- Pepper mixture.
Preparation:
- Cut the onion into half rings, sprinkle with pepper, and mash slightly.
- Grate the lemon zest. Squeeze out the juice.
- Dissolve salt and sugar in a small amount of water and heat until it boils.
- Add juice, zest and butter.
- Pour the marinade into the bowl with the onions.
- After half an hour, drain the marinade.
Onions can be eaten as an independent dish or as a side dish for meat.
Children and bow
Infants, from the age of seven months, begin to introduce boiled onions as complementary foods, adding them to vegetable puree from potatoes, zucchini, cabbage, carrots, and pumpkin.
Children three years of age and older can eat onions raw, unless there are chronic diseases for which they are contraindicated. It is enough for a child to eat one small onion per day, in addition to the main dishes: salads, soups, sandwiches. This will not cause irritation to the gastric mucosa and will benefit the body.
Treatment of children with onions
If your child coughs, you can try the following recipe: 1 onion, 1 apple, 1 potato. Peel everything, put it to simmer over very low heat in 1 liter. water. Decant the resulting broth and give the child small portions to drink all day.
Red onion recipes
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Supporters of alternative medicine attribute red onions with sugar to exceptional healing properties for liver diseases:
- Cirrhosis
- Hepatitis
- Cholecystitis
You can familiarize yourself with them, and consult your doctor about their use.
Preventive liver cleansing
- Red onion 0.5 kg.
- Sugar 0.45 kg.
Place the chopped onion in a glass jar and cover with sugar. Seal the jar with a plastic lid. Place in a dark place for 10 days. Squeeze out the released juice well. Take 3 tablespoons before meals for three weeks.
Liver recovery after a festive feast
- Red onion 0.5 kg.
- Sugar 0.25 kg.
Chop the onion and mix with sugar. Simmer the mixture in the oven at low temperature. After the crust appears, pull it out. Take 1 tbsp before meals. l.
Contraindications
- Onion treatment is contraindicated:
- In case of individual intolerance.
- Gastrointestinal problems, diseased liver.
- Thyroid diseases.
- Children up to 6 months.
Video about the benefits of onions
In the absence of contraindications, you should eat onions raw and boiled. For a number of diseases, you can use medicines prepared on its basis. In case of severe illnesses, treatment is prescribed by a doctor. Onions and medicines prepared from it are only used as an addition to the main treatment.
Onions are considered one of the most ancient vegetable crops. Over the many years of its existence, this product has healed and nourished entire nations. Onions are indispensable in cooking and are a seasoning for most dishes that are prepared daily. However, the unique taste of the product is not its only advantage, because the medicinal properties of onions are known all over the world, which is why it is the most popular crop in every country on the globe.
Green onion leaves contain a huge amount of vitamins and microelements. The product is widely used to prevent colds, as an anthelmintic, fights low blood pressure, and is also indispensable for weight loss. There is even a separate onion diet designed to rid a person of excess weight. But all this should be told in order.
Useful properties of onions
What are the benefits of onions?
Onions contain substances that can kill various infections, bacteria and fungi. These substances can even fight against tuberculosis and diphtheria bacilli. Bulbs contain a variety of sugars, including glucose, sucrose and fructose.
The fresh product promotes the secretion of digestive juices and has diuretic properties. Onions significantly improve the absorption of food by the body, which is so important when following a particular diet.
The beneficial properties of onions are clearly visible in the following ailments and diseases:
- diabetes mellitus - both raw and boiled onions are optimal, which normalizes blood sugar levels;
- liver diseases - it is recommended to eat 100 g of green onions daily;
- gastrointestinal disorder – improves metabolic processes in the body;
- colds - in this case, onion juice is used;
- For insect bites, onions are applied to the bite site or compresses are made from onion pulp.
Are onions good for you? Of course, yes, there should not be the slightest doubt about it. This product is recommended for use in cases of atherosclerosis, as a remedy for dandruff, itching, and to strengthen hair.
Moreover, this product has always aroused genuine interest not only among traditional healers, but also among doctors who prefer traditional medicine. Many drugs have been created based on onions, including those for the prevention of severe cancer.
Onions: contraindications
Harm from onions can occur in the following cases:
- in people suffering from heart disease;
- in people suffering from kidney disease;
- Onion contraindications may also be due to the fact that it increases blood pressure.
In all other cases, onions are suitable for food. A harmless contraindication may be bad smell from the mouth after consuming this product. This is why it is not recommended to eat onions before a business meeting, date, etc. Although even the strongest odor can be eliminated with the help of roasted walnuts or parsley.
Now you know why onions are harmful, and you can decide for yourself whether you should refrain from eating them or whether you can start treating any disease or losing weight right now.
Onions and weight loss
The product contains a lot of substances that the human body needs and can help those people who dream of losing extra pounds and having a slim figure.
Onions for weight loss are useful, first of all, because they restore metabolism. In addition, it can prevent the development of fat cells. To get rid of excess weight, you need to eat different types of onions: onions, green, red. Leeks are also very popular today and can be used for weight loss.
You can lose weight using onions in different ways. There is a separate onion diet, which will be discussed a little later; onions are also used as additives to main dishes (added to soups, porridges, salads).
Ways to use onions
The following tips will help you answer the question of how to lose weight with onions.
- Onion diet
This diet is designed for 7 days, during which time you can get rid of 5-7 kg. The basis of the diet will be onion soup, to which vegetables and lean meat are added.The diet menu may look like this: for breakfast you can drink tea without sugar or yogurt. For lunch prepare onion soup - 6 onions, a head of cabbage, pepper, celery, tomatoes to taste. The ingredients are placed in a saucepan and filled with water. Bring to a boil and cook the soup until the vegetables soften. For dinner, you are allowed to prepare a vegetable salad or eat several fresh vegetables.
- Leek
This type of product is added to dietary vegetable salads. The result is a low-calorie and tasty salad, ideal when on a diet. - Dishes with green onions
You can prepare chicken liver baked with vegetables and onions; spring green onion soup, a salad of bell peppers, tomatoes and onions, and many other dishes based on onions and vegetables are suitable.
Onions during pregnancy
Expectant mothers may ask: can pregnant women eat onions? The answer is obvious: it is not only possible, but also necessary to use this product during pregnancy. This is due to the fact that onions go well with various foods and can bring great benefits to the female body.
Onions during pregnancy are also important for the reason that they have a beneficial effect on a woman’s body, in which active hormonal changes occur. The product contains substances that are indispensable during pregnancy to restore metabolic processes in the mother's body.
At the same time, onions during pregnancy are contraindicated in too large quantities, as this can negatively affect the condition of the mucous membrane, as well as cause a number of negative reactions from the body.
Consuming the product in small quantities will not only not cause any harm, but will also improve your overall health.
For thousands of years, humanity has been cultivating onions, using them in cooking, for medicinal and decorative purposes. The homeland of the plant is considered to be the Middle Eastern countries - Afghanistan and Iran. From Asia, onions migrated to Egypt and Greek cities, and then took root in the Roman Empire. In Rus', vegetables began to be grown nine centuries ago.
Composition and calorie content
The bulb is 85% water. The remainder consists of carbohydrates, dietary fiber and ash. The protein content in the head is 1.4%. There are 12 essential and 8 non-essential amino acids in the onion. The amount of fat does not exceed 0.2%. But onions are rich in phytoncides - volatile substances that have a powerful antibacterial effect. Calorie content of 100 g of product is 41 kcal.
The head of the plant is a real storehouse of vitamins and minerals. Of the macroelements, it contains the most potassium: 100 g of vegetable - 146 mg. The bulb also contains other valuable nutrients: magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc and iron. The plant is rich in vitamin C. Thus, five onions can cover a person’s daily need for ascorbic acid. The vegetable contains folic and pantothenic acids and vitamin B6 in smaller quantities.
Use in cooking and cosmetology
The main application of the vegetable is cooking. Raw, pickled, stewed, boiled and fried onions are added to dishes. Thanks to it, soups acquire a rich taste and aroma. Raw adds sweetness to dishes with slight notes of spiciness and stimulates the appetite. After heat treatment, the bitterness leaves the plant. Onions scalded with boiling water lose their sharp, specific smell. However, in some cases, on the contrary, they try to preserve this aroma, since it adds piquancy to the dish.
In cosmetology, onions are used to eliminate hair problems. Thinning hair in the cold season, fragility and dullness of curls are signs of seasonal hypovitaminosis in women. The situation can be corrected by taking multivitamin complexes and correcting nutrition, which, among other things, involves daily consumption of greens. Hair loss in women can be combated in another way - with special onion masks. They also help speed up hair growth.
Medicinal properties
What are the health benefits of onions? The healing properties of the plant for the body have been known since ancient times. The Egyptians attributed magical qualities to the onion. The Germans and Romans believed that the plant was capable of giving courage and harming evil forces. In the Middle Ages, they tried to stop the plague with wreaths of bulbs. Naturally, such a talisman did not help in the fight against such a terrible disease. But the fact itself testifies to how highly people valued the medicinal qualities of onions.
It is now reliably known that the plant is an immunostimulant that harms viruses and bacteria. Onion essential oils are used to prevent influenza. To “release” volatile aromatic substances, the head is cut into pieces. A saucer with onion slices is placed in the living room. Important: the benefits of the product when cut are preserved for no more than a quarter of an hour, so the contents of the plate must be updated frequently.
The biologically active substances of the plant can have an irritating effect, which is important in the treatment of bronchitis. Finely chopped onions are infused with honey. The resulting syrup is drunk to intensify a wet cough, thereby clearing the airways and hastening recovery. In addition, onion juice lowers cholesterol, cleanses the blood, and has a beneficial effect on the liver and intestines.
High doses of iron and potassium contained in the plant prevent the development of anemia and heart problems in humans. It is believed that the smell of onions has a calming effect, thereby eliminating anxiety and promoting sleep. According to research, regular consumption of the plant reduces the risk of cancer. The fact is that the active substances of onions stimulate the production of antioxidants. As a result, carcinogens and toxins are removed from the body faster and cause less harm.
Possible harm
One of the disadvantages of the plant is its strong aroma. Walnut kernels and parsley help eliminate onion odor from the mouth. The harm that the plant can cause is associated with the presence of irritating substances in the head. That is why it is undesirable to abuse onions for people with high stomach acidity, gastritis, or ulcers.
Taking the plant in large doses can harm the respiratory and cardiac systems: provoke asthma, increase blood pressure, and cause arrhythmia. When used externally, onions sometimes cause skin burns. You can avoid causing harm to your body by taking basic precautions. Any masks and applications made from raw product should be left on the skin for no more than 20 minutes.
Otherwise, the product is safe, and the benefits of onions for the human body are priceless.
The benefits and harms of onions were very well known to the ancient Aesculapians. They recommended that patients with pneumonia place the peeled heads of the plant next to their bed at night to destroy pathogenic microbes. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of onions were used during the plague epidemic in 14th century Europe. In order to save themselves from a terrible disease, residents of cities affected by the disease hung cut onions around their houses.
Modern doctors advise eating it as a preventative against colds and flu. The benefit of onions in the fight against infectious diseases lies in their ability to absorb pathogenic bacteria and retain them inside themselves. Such qualities of the plant also determine the harm of onions to the body. A “magnet” for microbes, when stored in cut form, absorbs all the harmful substances that are in the room, so it must be prepared immediately and not left in a purified form for a long time.
Thanks to new research, today the theory that the plant has antifungal and antiviral properties has been scientifically confirmed by experiments. When the bulb is cut (damage to its tissues), allicin begins to be released, which has a pungent odor; the substance plays an important role in eliminating infections.
Today, the benefits of onions as an anticancer agent are recognized by scientists. The product is a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. The plant enhances the production of tripeptide and glutathione in the body, which act as antioxidants, remove toxins and carcinogens, and slow down the development of metastases.
The composition contains calcium, vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and the flavonoid quercetin. The benefits of onions from the content of these substances are expressed in high immunostimulating properties. The medicinal properties of the plant include the ability to stop an asthma attack and reduce allergic reactions to external irritants.
For people who have eaten the product, the harm of onions is known from their unpleasant odor, which, however, is easily eliminated if you chew parsley, toasted black bread, or after eating. There is harm to onions from its ability to increase acidity and have an irritating effect on the digestive organs. It is not recommended to eat it for ulcers, gastritis, kidney and liver diseases.
Of course, the benefits and harms of onions largely depend on the state of human health. Doctors impose restrictions on its use for patients with gastrointestinal diseases and high blood pressure. And at the same time, one cannot deny the healing qualities of the plant, as a rich source of minerals and vitamins, and an excellent remedy for combating infectious and respiratory diseases.
Onions - benefits and harm for the human body (women and men)
Research has linked onion consumption to the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as a reduced risk of arthritis, asthma, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.
Bulb onions ( Allium cepa L) is a member of the plant family Amaryllidaceae, which also includes other aromatic vegetables of the genus Allium, such as leeks. Vegetables kind Allium contain medicinal oils that include sulfur compounds (cysteine sulfoxides), which are partly responsible for their smell and taste, but also for many of the beneficial properties of onions (especially when it comes to natural cancer treatment) ().
Some of the most important antioxidants in onions include flavonoids such as quercetin and anthocyanins. At least 25 different flavonols have been identified in all types of onions! Quercetin is considered an antihistamine phytonutrient that is often found in allergy medications because it can reduce the effects of histamines on the immune system. Anthocyanins present in onions are antioxidants that are also found in red berries. They give one type of onion its red (purple) color ().
Have you ever wondered why your eyes water when chopping onions? This is because slicing an onion punctures its cell membranes, which store S-alkenyl cysteine sulfoxide. S-alkenyl cysteine sulfoxide is another form of flavonoid present in onions. It is a sulfur compound that has been reported to have a number of beneficial properties, including anticarcinogenic properties, antiplatelet activity, antithrombotic activity, antiasthmatic and antibiotic effects ().
So while there may be some discomfort associated with watery eyes while chopping and cooking onions, we still get far more benefit than discomfort.
Nutritional value, composition and calorie content of onions
You may like sweet onions, such as Vidalia onions and shallots, because they have a milder flavor and can even be eaten raw. However, compared to white and red onions, they generally have a lower percentage of beneficial compounds. According to studies on the nutritional value of onions, yellow onions contain high levels of quercetin and sulfur compounds. As for red onions, they contain significantly more other protective antioxidants that are responsible for their color.
Sweet onions stay in the soil longer before harvest, so most of their carbohydrates have a chance to turn into sugars—hence their sweeter taste. Some studies show that the nutrient content of onions improves as a result of being in the ground longer. In general, the longer onions are left in the ground, the sweeter they taste. But it also reduces the amount of nutrients it contains. Generally, the stronger the smell and taste of an onion, the more nutrients are present in it (and therefore the onion is more likely to make you cry).
100 grams of raw, chopped onions contain (% of the recommended daily intake) ():
- Calorie content: 40 kcal (2%).
- Carbohydrates: 9.3 g (3%).
- Fat: 0.1 g (0%).
- Protein: 1.1 g (2%).
- : 1.7 g (7%).
- Vitamin C: 7.4 mg (12%).
- Vitamin B6: 0.1 mg (6%).
- Folic acid: 19 mcg (5%).
- : 0.1 mg (6%).
- : 4 mg.
- : 13 mg.
Onions also contain small amounts of vitamins, minerals and nutrients such as vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, copper and.
The benefits of onions for the human body
Eating onions helps fight cancer, protects heart health, promotes bone health, prevents diabetes, reduces the risk of arthritis and asthma, protects against respiratory tract infections and much more. Here are the benefits of onions for the human body:
1. Helps fight cancer
According to many clinical studies that examine the benefits of onions for the body, eating this vegetable helps reduce the risk of developing colon, ovarian and oral cancer. The anticancer activity of onions is due to the abundance of antioxidants in its composition, which prevent cell damage. Studies have found that sulfur compounds in onions prevent tumor growth and cancer development by protecting cells from mutation and inducing apoptosis.
Even eating onions just a few times a week was associated with protection against cancer. But of course, the more onions you consume, the more protection you get from cancer. For example, large studies of southern European populations published in the scientific journal American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, show an inverse relationship between the frequency of consumption of onions and other vegetables of this type, and the risk of developing a number of common types of cancer ().
2. Protects Heart Health
Onions have fibrinolytic properties, meaning they provide cardiovascular protection by reducing the risk of blood clots. Additionally, it may protect against increased levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol. Consumption of onions limits the activity of harmful free radicals in the blood vessels, thereby reducing oxidative stress, improving blood circulation and blood pressure levels.
3. Helps Maintain Bone Health
Eating onions has a positive effect on bone health. Onions can help increase bone mineral density, which reduces the risk of fractures. Research conducted Department of Family Medicine V University of South Carolina, showed that increased consumption of onions resulted in increased bone density in women.
Women who consumed onions once a day or more had 5% higher total bone density than women who consumed onions once a month or less. The researchers concluded that women who consume onions most frequently may reduce their risk of hip fractures by more than 20% compared to those who never consume onions ().
One possible mechanism for the beneficial effects of onion consumption may be the substances GPCs (gamma-L-glutamyl-trans-S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine sulfoxides), which help inhibit bone destruction and prevent osteoporosis and corticosteroid-induced reversal. bone loss.
4. May Help Prevent or Control Diabetes
A large meta-analysis conducted Plant Resources Research Institute in Korea, showed that onion extract could help fight diabetes. This is because onion consumption may be effective in reducing plasma glucose concentrations and in reducing body weight (). Onions are an effective folk remedy for controlling the level of sugar released into the bloodstream and preventing insulin resistance.
Research on the benefits of onions for the human body also shows that this vegetable is a source of chromium, which is useful for controlling blood glucose levels and may be useful in preventing diabetes.
5. Reduces the risk of arthritis and asthma
Since onions are an excellent anti-inflammatory food, consuming them can help relieve inflammatory diseases such as arthritis or asthma. According to National Arthritis Foundation, Quercetin, found in onions, benefits people suffering from arthritis. This is because it helps inhibit inflammation-causing leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and histamine, which worsen pain and swelling ().
6. Protects against respiratory infections
The next time you are suffering from a cold or respiratory illness, try consuming more onions as a natural way to fight the cold. Experts believe that certain nutrients in onions may boost immune defenses and fight inflammation. They can also reduce mucus in your nasal passages, lungs and respiratory system, and can help you feel better.
7. May Help Improve Fertility
Antioxidants have a major impact on sperm health, so eating onions may help improve fertility. When researchers from Azad University In Iran, they studied the effect of onions on the fertility of rats, they found that total testosterone levels increased significantly. There was also an increase in sperm concentration, sperm viability and motility in rats that received large amounts of onions for 20 days ().
History of onions
Many ancient populations believed that eating onions helped treat diseases and should be part of a healing diet. Records show that onions have been used throughout the world as a valuable medicinal and food source for thousands of years. Although there is no conclusive evidence as to where it first appeared, there is evidence showing that this vegetable was used more than 5,000 years ago in parts of Iran and West Pakistan.
Onions may be one of the earliest crops to be grown because they were less perishable than other foods of the time. It was popular because it transported well, was easy to grow year-round, and grew well in a variety of climates and soil types. Onions could also be dried and preserved, making them a valuable source of nutrients during times of famine.
Some records show that onions grew in parts of China, India and Egypt around 3500 BC. In Egypt, the bow was even considered an object of worship and symbolized eternity due to its ring-shaped structure. Images of onions can even be found on the interior walls of ancient Egyptian pyramids and tombs! Onions were also consumed by the Israelites and were mentioned as one of the biblical foods, along with cucumbers, melons, leeks and garlic.
Currently, the largest onion producers in the world are China, India and the USA.
How to select and store onions
Reports show that onions are actually one of the vegetables least contaminated with pesticides. In fact, some sources say that this vegetable contains the lowest amount of pesticide residues.
Therefore, buying organic onions is not always necessary, which will help you save your money which you can spend on other organic products.
It is known that onions can be stored for a very long time. You can store it in a warm, dry place for about a month before it starts to spoil. Therefore, you can safely stock up on this vegetable for a long time to come.
The best ways to prepare and store onions
When onions lie near potatoes, they absorb ethylene gas, which they release, and therefore spoil much faster. Therefore, it is always better to keep onions away from potatoes.
You should not store unpeeled onions in the refrigerator because this actually causes them to spoil faster. But once you cut the onion, keep it in the refrigerator and use it as soon as possible to ensure all of its beneficial nutrients are preserved. Because onions have a strong smell and taste, keep them separate from all other foods in a tightly covered container. This will make it possible to avoid the smell and taste of onions from being absorbed into other foods in the refrigerator!
How to cook onions and increase their benefits
There are dozens of ways to use onions in healthy dishes every day. You can add it to eggs, throw it into soup, try raw red onion in salads, add a little to dishes, use it to make sauces for fish or meat, etc.
Different types of onions work best in different types of recipes. For example, red onions and shallots are typically eaten raw, while white and yellow onions are preferred in a variety of dishes.
No matter what type of onion you choose, remember that a high percentage of valuable phytonutrients are stored on its surface just under the thin, papery outer skin. To maximize the benefits of onions, peel only the outer layer and use the remaining fleshy parts.
Research shows that leaving a peeled and cut onion in the air for about 10 minutes increases its phytonutrient content. Moreover, these phytonutrients also become more absorbable. If you have plenty of cooking time, chop the onion and leave it on the cutting board for a few minutes before you start cooking it ().
The thinner you slice the onion, the faster it will cook; the longer you cook it, the more sugar is released from it and the sweeter it tastes. Compared to many other vegetables, the phytonutrients in onions tend to be well preserved during cooking.
Harm of onions to the human body
Eating onions may cause negative reactions in people suffering from poor absorption of fermentable short-chain carbohydrates FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols), as well as conditions such as heartburn or acid reflux.
If you notice symptoms such as flatulence (bloating), abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation after eating onions, you may need to try quitting for a period of time to see if the symptoms go away.
Some people can digest small amounts of cooked onions better than large amounts, or raw onions, so it may be necessary to try different variations.
If white, red, or yellow onions give you the side effects listed above, try eating leeks, shallots, and onions instead. These types of onions tend to cause fewer digestive problems and also add distinct flavor, taste, and nutrients to dishes.