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Healthy Diet Plans >>
Therapeutic Value of Different Foods >>
Vegetables >>
Onions |
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OnionsOnions (Allium Cepa) are so popular all over the world that most of the recipes seem not complete without it.
This is that brown, red, or yellow bulb with paper-thin skin kitchen spice with a distinctive flavor almost everybody loves. The term onion is taken from “unio,” a Latin word which means “single” as the plant produce just one bulb or when cut in the middle, a union of many layers.
There are two types of large onions, the spring/summer, which are those that are planted in tropical weather having mild or sweet flavor and the storage onions or those that are cultivated in cold climates where after harvest, they are left to dry for over a period of time.
The spring/summer onions include the Maui Sweet Onion, Vidalia, and Walla walla varieties while those that belong to the storage onions are popularly known by its color which are red, yellow, or white. The Spanish onions belong to this type.
There are also other varieties like the green onion other known as scallion and the pearl onion.
Like garlic, onions contain the potent sulfur compound which gives its distinctive smell as well as health benefits. It has allyl propyl disulphide, chromium, vitamin C, flavonoids, and quercitin. These nutrients, among others, help in the prevention of the following body ailments:
- Blood sugar lowering effects - The allyl propyl disulphide contained in onions boosts insulin amount available in the body thereby lowering blood sugar levels.
- Cardiovascular benefits - Regular intake of onions lowers cholesterol and blood pressure thereby lessening the risks heart attack and stroke.
- Boosts gastrointestinal health - Flavonoids and quercitin in onions reduces the risk of having colon cancer.
- Prevents cancer - Regular intake of onions prevents the growth and quantity of precancerous wounds in the intestines as well as the risks for cancers in the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, colon, larynx, breast, ovary, prostate and renal cells.
- Helps maintain healthy bones - Onions contain the newly-discovered mineral called gamma-L-glutamyl-trans-S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide or GPCS that slows down bone-breaking cells. It also helps prevent osteoporosis especially in women in menopausal stages.
- Prevents inflammation and bacterial growth
Onions have isothiocyanates as well as vitamin C and quercitin that provides anti-inflammatory effects and destroys bacteria which could further harm the body.
This also provides relief when suffering from cold or flu by way of taking in soups and stews with onions in it.
An article published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, revealed that the variety and the manner of preparing the onion spell the difference in the amount of healthful compounds it contain. Generally, those who have the sharpest odor has the most health benefits that the rest of the varieties.
In selecting onions, pick out those which have good shape, clean, without holes in it and dry skin cover. Don’t choose those which indicates signs of germination or those with molds. These should be kept in room temperature with good ventilation and away from brilliant lights. It should be stored separately from potatoes because of the moisture and ethylene gas they both emit which will result in faster rotting. |
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