Impressive Health Benefits of Onions

Impressive Health Benefits of Onions

Onions are highly nutritious and have been associated with several benefits, including improved heart health, better blood sugar control, and increased bone density.

Though all vegetables are important for health, certain varieties offer unique benefits.

Onions are members of the Allium genus of flowering plants that also include 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.

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

In this article, we discuss the possible benefits of onions, their nutritional content, and how to include more of them in the diet.

Benefits

Onions might have positive effects on several different aspects of health.

Cancer prevention

Further research is necessary to confirm which compounds in onion have protective effects against cancer.

The review also highlighted gaps in the research to date. The authors suggested that onions and other allium vegetables do not prevent cancer in isolation but work in tandem with other lifestyle factors to reduce the risk.

They also advised that while research has revealed some associations between allium vegetable consumption and reduced cancer risk, the amount that a person needs to consume to get the maximum benefit is not yet clear.

Skin and hair

As a good source of vitamin C, onions may support the building and maintenance of collagen.

Collagen provides structure to skin and hair.

Blood pressure moderation

The researchers extracted it and administered it as a supplement. However, the study did not examine the potential effects on blood pressure of eating onion as part of the diet rather than taking quercetin in supplement form.

Nutrition

Onions are a nutrient-dense food, meaning that they are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while being low in calories.

• 64 calories
• 14.9 grams (g) of carbohydrate
• 0.16 g of fat
• 0 g of cholesterol
• 2.72 g of fiber
• 6.78 g of sugar
• 1.76 g of protein

Risks

Onions pose few risks to the people who eat them.

However, some people may have an allergy or intolerance to onions. Anyone who experiences a reaction after eating them should be sure to seek medical attention.

Why does chopping onions cause tears?

This chemical is a compound liquid that acts as a lachrymatory agent, meaning that it causes tears or stings the eyes.

The person should then peel the outer layer of the onion and leave the root intact, as this part has the highest concentration of lachrymatory agents.

Despite the tears that they can produce, onions can be a healthful addition to any eating plan. However, a person’s overall eating pattern is most important in disease prevention and good health.

Diet

When selecting onions, people should look for those that are dry and firm with little or no scent before peeling.

Including onion in a dish is a great way to boost the flavor without adding calories, fat,

Onions are a staple in many kitchens and complement most dishes. People can use raw chopped onion in a sandwich filling or as a salad topping. This vegetable also makes a tasty addition to salsas and dips.

Dietary sulfur

One theory on how onion juice can help hair regrowth is that onions contain dietary sulfur.

Sulfur is one of the most common minerals in the body. It is needed for the adequate production of enzymes and proteins. Sulfur is also found in keratin, which is one of the components of hair.

The sulfur in onion juice may provide the hair with the nourishment it needs to grow. It may also increase the growth phase of the hair.

Anti-microbial properties

Onions have anti-bacterial properties, which may help fight scalp infections.

In some cases, a scalp infection can contribute to hair loss. A healthy scalp is more likely to have strong hair follicles.

Antioxidants

Onions contain antioxidants, such as flavonoids. Antioxidants are believed to protect the body from free radicals.

Free radicals are thought to contribute to the aging process. For example, free radicals may destroy the hair follicles and lead to thinning and loss of the hair.

Canceling out or decreasing free radicals may reduce damage to the hair follicles.

Application

For those who want to try using onion juice to improve hair health or promote regrowth, the process is simple.

To make onion juice, people should follow these steps:

1. Peel about four onions and chop them into small pieces.
2. Extract the juice out of the onion by either squeezing it or using a juicer.
3. Another option is placing the onion pieces into a blender and blending them into a paste. Place the paste in cheesecloth and squeeze all the juice out.
4. Apply the juice to the scalp or the hair roots.

A few drops of essential oil may also help decrease the potent odor of the juice. Peppermint, lavender and rosemary essential oils can be good options to dilute the smell.

Currently, there are no commercial products, such as shampoos, that contain onion juice.

However, commercially prepared onion juice and onion liquid extract are available for those who do not want to make their own.