Onions have been cultivated for centuries for their unique flavor and amazing health benefits. These veggies are not only delicious, but also contain disease-fighting compounds that prevent cancer and boost your immune system. They pack more nutrients per serving than most superfoods like goji berries, blueberries, and pomegranates.
Onions – A Natural Source of Quercetin
These flavor-packed veggies contain essential nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, copper, quercetin, and sulfur compounds.
What is quercetin
Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant that can be found in a number of vegetables and fruits, including :
- red onions,
- citrus fruits,
- apples,
- blueberries,
- red wine,
- olive oil.
Health benefits of quercetin in onions
This natural compound has strong anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits cancer cell growth. For this reason, it’s recommended to those suffering from arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
Studies have found that quercetin improves prostate health in men. It also prevents most types of cancer due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
This compound also displays natural antihistamine properties, so it helps in allergy reduction. Research indicates that quercentin lowers bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol levels, which reduces heart disease risk.
This flavonoid promotes overall cardiovascular health, stabilizes blood pressure, relieves upper respiratory conditions, and minimizes the harmful effects of stress.
Sulfur compounds in onions promote optimal health
In addition to quercetin, onions contain sulfur compounds that give them the pungent taste and smell. These substances have strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties.
Not only they reduce inflammation, but also prevent blood clotting, reduce high blood pressure, and protect against stroke. Regular consumption of onions helps lower your risk of heart disease, arteriosclerosis, cancer, and upper respiratory conditions.
The organic sulfur compounds in onions enhance your body’s natural ability to fight infections. They also have the ability to destroy bacteria and relax smooth muscles in blood vessel walls.
According to health experts, there is a strong link between consumption of sulfur compounds and a lower rate of ovarian, laryngeal, esophageal, and colorectal cancers.
Due to their high content of sulfur compounds, onions help prevent prostate cancer, inhibit tumor growth, and protect against oxidative stress. In a study done on rats it was also found that consuming onions can help in balancing and increasing testosterone levels.
Raw onion benefits
This delicious veggie is loaded with vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, allicin, phyto-chemicals, and antioxidants. It has only 45 calories per serving and contains no fat, sodium, or cholesterol.
One serving (160 grams) provides more than 20 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, 10 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin B6, and eight percent of the daily recommended amount of folate.
Onion is an excellent source calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and fluoride. It also contains chromium, which regulates blood sugar levels and helps facilitate insulin action.
Allicin, one of the key nutrients in onions, stimulates nitric oxide production and lowers bad cholesterol levels. These veggies are packed with B vitamins, especially pyridoxine or vitamin B6, which prevents mental disorders and keeps your brain sharp.
Recent studies suggest that high onion consumption may help ward off bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, and digestive problems.
One of the benefits of eating raw onions is that it encourages healthy bacteria growth in your gut while killing harmful bacteria. When consumed regularly, onions can improve digestive health and ward off diseases.
