IMPRESSIVE HEALTH BENEFIT OF ONIONS

Though all vegetables are important for health, certain kinds offer unique benefits. Onions are members of the Allium genus of flowering plants that also includes garlic, shallots, leeks and chives. These vegetables contain various vitamins, minerals and potent plant compounds that have been shown to promote health in many ways.

Infact,the medicinal properties of onions have been recognized since ancient times, when they were used to treat ailments like headaches,heart disease and mouth sores.

Packed with Nutrients:Onions are nutrient dense meaning they’re low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals.One medium onion has just 44 calories but delivers a considerable dose of vitamins,minerals and fiber. This vegetable is particularly high in vitamin C, a nutrient that regulates immune health, collagen production, tissue repair and iron absorption. Vitamin C also acts as a powerful antioxidant in your body, protecting your cells against damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. 

Onions are also rich in B vitamins, including folate (B9) and pyridoxine (B6) — which play key roles in metabolism, red blood cell production and nerve function. they’re a good source of potassium, a mineral in which many people are lacking. Normal cellular function, fluid balance, nerve transmission, kidney function and muscle contraction all require potassium. 

Benefit Heart Health: Onions contain antioxidants and compounds that fight inflammation, decrease triglycerides and reduce the level of cholesterol — all of which may lower the risk of heart disease. Their potent anti-inflammatory properties may also help reduce high blood pressure and protect against blood clots. Quercetin is a flavonoid antioxidant that’s highly concentrated in onions. Since it’s a potent anti-inflammatory, it may help decrease heart disease risk , such as high blood pressure. A study in 70 overweight people with high blood pressure found that a dose of 162 mg per day of quercetin-rich onion extract significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by 3–6 mmHg compared to a placebo. Onions have also been shown to decrease cholesterol levels. 

A study in 54 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) found that consuming large amounts of raw red onions (40–50 grams/day if overweight and 50–60 grams/day if obese) for eight weeks reduced total and “bad” LDL cholesterol compared to a control group.
Additionally, evidence from animal studies supports that onion consumption may reduce inflammation, high triglyceride levels and blood clot formation Contain Cancer-Fighting Compounds: Eating vegetables of the Allium genus like garlic and onions has been linked to a lower risk of certain cancers, including stomach and colorectal. A review of 26 studies showed that people who consumed the highest amount of allium vegetables were 22% less likely to be diagnosed with stomach cancer than those who consumed the least amount .Moreover,a review of 16 studies in 13,333 people demonstrated that participants with the highest onion intake had a 15% reduced risk of colorectal cancer compared to those with the lowest intake. 

These cancer fighting properties; have been linked to the sulfur compounds and flavonoid antioxidants found in allium vegetables. For example, onions provide onionin A, a sulfur-containing compound that has been shown to decrease tumor development and slow the spread of ovarian and lung cancer in test-tube studies.
Onions also contain fisetin and quercetin, flavonoid antioxidants that may inhibit tumor growth.


By Stephanie E. Hemen