If you habitually separate the onions in your food because you do not want to eat them, then it’s time for you to change your ways. There are simply too many health benefits of onions for you not to eat them! Many foods act as overall health boosters simply from consumption – onions are in this healthful food group.
Nutritional Content of Onions:
[amazon asin=B001VNGMW0&template=*lrc ad (left)]When compared to some other fruit and vegetables, onions just don’t seem to offer the most powerful nutritional punch, but the vegetables certainly still has much to offer. Here are some prominent vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients found in onions that deserve some spotlight. Each figure is based on a serving of 1 large onion (150 grams).
- Vitamin C – 11.1 milligrams. 19% RDA (recommended daily value).
- Manganese – 0.2 milligrams. 10% RDA.
- Fiber – 2.6 grams. 10% RDA.
- Vitamin B6 – 0.2 milligrams. 9% RDA.[amazon asin=B0002YTFU0&template=*lrc ad (right)]
- Folate – 28.5 micrograms. 7% RDA.
- Potassium – 219 milligrams. 6% RDA.
In addition to the above nutrients, there are a number of other chemical constituents that can be found in onions. Out of them all two powerful antioxidants stand out above the rest: quercetin and sulfur. In fact, onions are among the top dietary sources of quercetin. (Check out the USDA Nutrient Database for a complete nutritional profile of onions.)
Health Benefits of Onions
[amazon asin=B008GV3GH4&template=*lrc ad (left)]Here are some of the common health benefits of onions.
- Better Oral Health — This may seem odd since onions can cause bad breath, but chewing raw onion is known to improve the strength of the teeth and fight off bacteria which can cause tooth decay. Chewing some raw onion for 2 or 3 minutes could kill most germs in the mouth.
- Prevents Colon Cancer — A particular plant-derived flavonoid in onions, called quercetin, boosts the immune system while preventing the development of tumors. One study found that combining chemicals found in onions and turmeric reduced both the size and number of precancerous lesions in the human intestinal tract.
- Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Microbial Ingredients — Sulphides and thiosulfinates help to prevent illnesses such as E. coli, bacillus subtilis and salmonella.[amazon asin=B0029JDUO8&template=*lrc ad (right)]
- Detoxing – Two sulfur-containing amino acids – methionine and cystine – are great for removing heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium from the body. Additionally, vitamin C, which is also in onions, aids in the detoxing process.
- Cardiovascular Improvement — Onions help to prevent the formation of blood clots, allowing blood to circulate smoothly. Without the clogs and clots in arteries, heart attack and heart disease risks drop. Further, sulfur compounds in onion can improve red blood cells’ cell membrane function and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Quercetin, found in onions, is also known to lower blood pressure, which boosts cardiovascular health. The health benefits of onions are starting to look quite appealing.
- Osteoporosis – In a 2005 study, researchers found that a compound in onions, GPCS, was able to decrease bone loss in rats, helping to prevent osteoporosis.
