Top 10 great uses of onions for health

Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a process that leads to cell damage and contributes to diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds are what contribute to the health benefits of onions. Onions are one of the main dietary sources of flavonoids, particularly the compound quercetin.

The most abundant plant compounds in onions include:

• Anthocyanins: A powerful antioxidant and pigment, found only in red or purple onions.
• Quercetin: As an antioxidant flavonoid, may lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
• Sulfur compounds: Mainly sulfides and polysulfides, have protective effects against cancer.
  Thiosulfinates: Has the ability to inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms, while preventing the formation of blood clots.

In particular, red and yellow onions are richer in antioxidants than other types. In fact, yellow onions may contain about 11 times more antioxidants than white onions. However, cooking methods can significantly reduce levels of some antioxidants.

Onions are an excellent source of antioxidants. In fact, they contain more than 25 different types of flavonoid antioxidants.

According to research, the outer skin of onions has a ketone-containing pigment that naturally lowers blood pressure. In addition, the ingredient contains Prostaglandin A, which can dilate blood vessels and reduce blood viscosity, thereby also contributing to lowering blood pressure, increasing coronary blood flow and preventing thrombosis. In addition, onion peel contains a lot of rutin, which is very beneficial for strengthening the vessel wall.

Many studies show that people taking an onion extract product for 6 weeks help to slightly reduce systolic blood pressure (the highest number) if the person has high blood pressure. This study also shows that if you take a product combined with onions for a week, blood pressure will be reduced, remaining at a more stable level.

In addition, you can process onions in many different forms such as stir-fry, cooking, mannequins, all of which have the effect of stabilizing blood pressure naturally without relying too much on Western medicine. Onions also thin the blood, destroy blood clots, and prevent sudden strokes.

Onions are plants native to the Middle East. According to ancient books recorded, the nutritional value of onions has been known since very early times. Onions are also an important vegetable dish of the pyramid builders. In addition, onions also have many unexpected health effects. Onions are rich in natural nutrients.

Onions are nutrient-dense, low in calories, packed with vitamins and minerals, and provide significant amounts of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This vegetable is particularly rich in vitamin C, a nutrient involved in regulating immune health, collagen production, tissue repair, and iron absorption. 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. Finally, it is a good source of potassium, a mineral that many people are lacking. Not only rich in potassium, vitamin C, folic acid, zinc, selenium, fiber and other nutrients, but also contains two special nutrients -quercetin and A. prostaglandin. As a result, onions have many health benefits that other foods cannot replace.

Many people are quite afraid to eat onions because the sulfur-containing compounds in onions can make your breath stink and make you cry. However, did you know that it is these compounds that are the main ingredients that make onions an extremely healthy food. The digestive benefits of onions are attributed to inulin, a fiber found in vegetables (onions are actually a vegetable). Inulin acts as a food source for the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Consuming this fiber helps your body maintain good levels of beneficial bacteria, promoting healthier digestion.

Another soluble fiber found in onions is oligofructose (a subgroup of inulin), which has been found to be effective in preventing and treating diarrhea. Meanwhile, the phytochemicals in onions can reduce the risk of stomach ulcers.

The effect of onions is confirmed when they contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, no cholesterol, so it is very good for the functioning of the heart, reducing the risk of heart-related diseases.

The powerful anti-inflammatory properties of onions can also help reduce high blood pressure and protect against blood clots. Quercetin is a flavonoid antioxidant that is highly concentrated in onions. Because quercetin is a potent anti-inflammatory, it may help reduce heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure.

A study by scientists with 70 overweight people with high blood pressure found that when taking 162mg of onions per day in the form of an extract, there was a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and a better heart function compared to when not in use.

Due to the pungent taste, many people hate to eat this dish. However, onion is an effective medicine for people with osteoporosis. Those who want to have strong bones, highly developed body, prevent osteoporosis, it is best to try to create a habit of eating this dish. Because, there is a study that shows that onions are a vegetable with the best ability to prevent osteoporosis. Their anti-osteoporotic effect is even better than “calcitonin”, a drug used to treat osteoporosis.

A study in 24 middle-aged and postmenopausal women who consumed 100ml of onion juice daily for 8 consecutive weeks significantly improved bone density, making bones stronger. In another study in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, eating onions at least once a day increased overall bone density by 5% compared with those who ate it once a month or less.

Onion is not only a delicious dish but also an extremely effective folk medicine in treating coughs, colds, and runny noses. According to Oriental medicine, onions are hot, have general stimulant properties, are antiseptic, anti-infective, cough-treating, easy to digest, treat worms, etc. have the effect of preventing and relieving colds and flus very effectively.

According to Ths. Dr. Hoang Khanh Toan (Head of Oriental Medicine Department, Military Central Hospital 108), onion is a precious medicine in Oriental medicine, considered as an antibiotic and antiseptic, with a valuable amount of vitamins and minerals. therapeutic use. Especially purple onions are very rich in vitamins and minerals, if eaten regularly, they also help keep the body healthy, can prevent chronic diseases, reduce inflammation, fight pain, suppress immune cells to relieve pain. temporary and permanent pain.

Phutoncide present in onions, when passing through the respiratory tract, urinary tract, and sweat glands, can stimulate the walls of the duct to secrete, so it has the effect of sputum, diuretic, sweating, cold prevention and antibacterial. Onions are a very good food for elderly people with low resistance. When you have a cold, drinking hot onion soup will help sweat and reduce fever. If your nose is stuffy, you can cut a slice of onion to stuff your nose. The spiciness of the onion will help clear the nose.

It can be said that onion is a vegetable and spice belonging to the genus Allium, this is a very familiar food for us in daily life. Onions are rich in specific nutrients such as potassium, selenium, vitamin C and quercetin. Onions are good for human health, but not everyone knows the use of onions for digestive health.

Onions are a rich source of fiber and prebiotics, essential for optimal gut health. Research has shown that these short-chain fatty acids promote gut health, boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and boost digestion. Onions are particularly rich in the prebiotic inulin and fructooligosaccharides. These help increase the number of friendly bacteria in your gut and improve immune function.

People with diabetes are often recommended to have a strict diet, eat foods rich in fiber to control blood sugar, control disease symptoms effectively. One of the best vegetables for people with diabetes is onions.

According to research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food (Korea), onions are rich in flavonoids – antioxidants that can help control blood sugar and strengthen the immune system. Accordingly, animals with type 2 diabetes that were regularly supplemented with onion extract were able to prevent erratic rise/fall in blood sugar. Onions, especially purple onions, are quite high in fiber. When entering the digestive system, the body will take a long time to break down and digest fiber. This can slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream. Besides, eating more fiber can also help relieve constipation – a common problem in people with diabetes.

During digestion, carbohydrates can be quickly converted into sugar by the body. Therefore, people with diabetes are often advised to eat less carbohydrates to prevent blood sugar from getting too high. Onions are a type of tubers that contain very little carbohydrates, 100 grams of purple onions contain only about 8 grams of carbohydrates. In addition, onions are also low in calories and are a healthy choice for people with diabetes who want to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

The food glycemic index (GI) is an index that reflects how quickly or slowly blood sugar rises after eating foods rich in carbohydrates. Onions have a GI of 10, making them a low glycemic index food suitable for a diabetic diet.

Onion is a plant belonging to the Onion family. This tuber with a brown, white or red skin is an indispensable ingredient in many cuisines around the world because of its pungent taste and ability to stimulate the taste buds. Onions may cause bad breath, but in return it helps improve oral health. Chewing a few slices of onion for 2-3 minutes helps to eliminate bacteria.

The sulfur compounds in onions help this tuber have a strong anti-inflammatory ability, killing bacteria in the oral cavity, especially bridge-chain bacteria that cause tooth decay. Gargling with onion juice helps to eliminate bad breath, reduce pain and soreness in teeth and gums.