Onion is one of the oldest cultivated plants and has many health benefits to offer. Onion is highly valued for its therapeutic properties. When it comes to cooking, it is used because of the flavor it adds to food. The odour in onion is as a result of its organic sulfur compounds.
Onions could be white, red or yellow in colour. Onion should be eaten raw, to get the most of its curative properties.
Some nutrients found in onion include
- Fiber
- Phosphorus
- Calcium
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Vitamin B complex
- Biotin
- Manganese
- Copper
- Folate
The health benefits of onion are outlined below:
1 Prevention of heart attack
Recent studies have showed that onion is able to prevent the occurrence of heart attack. Onion contains quercetin which helps in preventing plaque from building up in our arteries which therefore reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The presence of sulphur in onion acts as a blood thinner which prevents the platelets found in blood from clustering together. If blood platelets cluster together, the risk for heart attack and stroke increases if the clustered platelets obstructs a blood vessel.
2 Prevention of Cancer
The presence of quercetin in cancer helps in the prevention of cancer. Researchers have found out that quercetin is able to prevent breast, ovarian, endometrial, prostate, colon and long tumours from growing. Red onions have a high amount of quercetin when compared to white onion. Apples also contain quercetin.
3 Onion can relieve the symptoms of asthma
Onion has anti-inflammatory properties. A 2013 study published in the American Journal of Physiology showed that Quercetin which is found in onion, is able to relax the airway muscles and relieve the symptoms of asthma.
4 Helps in regulating blood sugar
Eating onions will help in regulating blood sugar levels. This is because onion contains chromium and sulphur which is able to lower the sugar levels in blood. Sulphur helps to trigger the production of insulin which helps in moderating high blood sugar levels. It is more beneficial if red onions are consumed for this purpose.
5 A remedy for cough, cold and bronchitis
Onion has expectorant properties. As a result of this, it is used as a home remedy for cough, cold and bronchitis. Onion has been used for centuries as a remedy for respiratory diseases. Equal amounts of onion juice and honey should be consumed as a home remedy for cough and colds.
6 Onion increases bone density in women who are undergoing menopause
Women who are undergoing menopause or Post-menopausal women who consume onions daily have a reduced risk of fractures that occur as a result of low bone density.
7 Bee sting
Applying chopped onion on the bite of a bee sting can give relieve from the pain associated with the sting.
Precautions:
- Since onion is able to lower blood sugar levels, anyone who has diabetes should use onion in moderation.
- If too much onion is consumed, it will slow down the process of blood clotting and this might increase the risk of bleeding. Furthermore, it is not advisable to use onion extracts if you have a bleeding disorder. Anyone who is to undergo surgery should stop consuming large amounts of onions or consult their health care provider. This is because it can interfere with the process of blood clotting which may lead to prolonged bleeding.
- Medications that have been prescribed for diabetes can interact with onions. This is because your blood sugar might go to low and you will suffer from hypoglycemia which is life threatening. Examples of such medications include: glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (orinase), insulin, Glimepiride (Amaryl) etc.
- Medications that slow down the process of blood clotting interacts with onion. This is because it will further slow down the process of blood clotting which can promote bleeding when one is wounded or bruised. Examples of such medications include ibuprofen, naproxen, heparin, aspirin, diclofenac, warfarin etc
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