How useful onions are for humans – 9 facts with scientific justification

Onions have been used for medicinal purposes since the time of Hippocrates. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and powerful antioxidants.

Regular consumption of raw onions can reduce the risk of developing common diseases such as type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease and others.

In addition, onions improve the condition of the skin and hair, strengthen bone tissue, and increase potency in men.

9 useful properties

Onions have a strong evidence base regarding their benefits to the human body and are widely used not only in alternative medicine, but also in practical healthcare. The 9 main advantages are discussed below.

1. Rich composition

Onions have a fairly low energy value. 100 grams of the plant contains 45 calories, as well as the following substances:

Onions are a rich source of antioxidant substances that have a lot of beneficial properties for health: from reducing cholesterol levels in the blood to preventing malignant neoplasms.

It is also rich in vitamin C, which needed for correct The immune system works , to accelerate the regeneration of damaged tissues, increase the bioavailability of dietary iron, as well as to protect all cells from the effects of free radicals.

B vitamins (B9, B6) are metabolic regulators. They needed for Red blood cell production in red bone marrow and transmission of nerve impulses.

Onions contain a significant amount of potassium, which is responsible for the health of all muscles in the body, including the heart.

2. Maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system

Onions contain antioxidants that inhibit chronic inflammation in the wall of the large intestine, reduce the level of total cholesterol and its atherogenic fractions (TAG, LDL, VLDL), reduce blood pressure.

According to the data scientists from Iran, eating 45 grams of onions for 8 weeks leads to a decrease in total cholesterol, as well as LDL and TAG.

The pronounced anti-inflammatory effect of the plant protects the vascular endothelium from damage and prevents the formation of blood clots.

The combination of the described properties reduces the risk of developing the most common and dangerous cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, stroke, PE).

German specialists proved that, with regular use, onions reduce the level of systolic blood pressure by 5-7%, diastolic – by 3-4%. It can be used for the prevention of hypertension or for its treatment (in conjunction with antihypertensive medications).

3. Antioxidant effect

By of information Norwegian scientists, onions contain more than 25 different flavonoids (mainly anthocyanins).

Flavonoids are natural antioxidant substances that inhibit oxidative stress leading to diseases such as cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease.

Eating onions reduces the likelihood of malignant degeneration of colon and prostate cells.

It is proved that the plant reduces probability of development myocardial infarction by 32%, and the risk of death from this disease decreases by 14%.

4. Cancer prevention

Eating any plants of the Onion genus (all types of onions and garlic) is associated with a lower incidence of certain malignant neoplasms (cancer of the stomach, colon and rectum).

Foreign studies demonstrate that a diet rich in onions reduces the probability of developing stomach cancer is 22%, and the probability of colorectal cancer is declining by 15%.

Positive effects are associated with the presence of special sulfur compounds and antioxidant substances in the composition of the plant.

5. Lowering blood glucose levels

According to the data scientists, eating 100 grams of onions reduces blood sugar levels by 1.5-2 mmol/l after 4 hours.

Pronounced hypoglycemic effect makes it possible to use the plant for the prevention of diabetes mellitus.

Positive results were received also during animal experiments.

Proven that onions reduce not only blood glucose levels, but also the percentage of body fat, which acts as a risk factor for type II diabetes mellitus.

The effect is presumably due to the high content of quercetin and sulfur compounds.

6. Strengthening bones

Chinese scientists discovered that drinking 100 ml of onion juice for 2 months leads to increase bone mineral density .

The effect is most pronounced in postmenopausal women, who are characterized by the age–related development of osteoporosis - "thinning" of bone tissues.

According to the data American experts, eating any amount of onions at least once a day increases bone density by 5%.

The described positive effects can prevent the early development of osteoporosis and provide reliable prevention of pathological fractures. For example, proven that even the irregular inclusion of onions in the diet reduces the risk of hip fracture by 20%.

7. Antibacterial effect

Installed that onions inhibit the vital activity of E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, waxy bacillus.

Surprisingly, the plant is even prevents reproduction of vibrio cholera, the causative agent of a deadly disease – cholera, which is extremely common in countries with a low standard of living.

Japanese scientists emphasize the high effectiveness of onions against Helicobacter Pylori, a microorganism that causes inflammatory damage to the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum.

8. Men's health

In the opinion of of the scientific community, onion juice reduces the risk of prostate cancer in men, and also helps to increase libido and blood flow to the genitals.

Young onions in fresh form, with regular inclusion in the diet, increases the number of spermatozoa, and also makes them more active. This feature allows us to recommend the plant as a remedy for the treatment of male infertility.

9. Improving the condition of the skin and hair

Vitamin C contained in onions stimulates the formation of collagen, which is responsible for the elasticity of the skin. With regular use of the plant, the formation of wrinkles slows down.

The bow is also capable of warn aging.

A number of antioxidants, as well as vitamins C, A and E, protect the skin from extremely dangerous ultraviolet radiation and free radical mechanisms, and quercetin moisturizes the skin and makes it softer.

The positive effect of the plant on hair growth is also noted. Onions can prevent baldness and reduce the greasy shine of the hairline.

Possible harm and contraindications

Undoubtedly, onions are an extremely useful product necessary for the full functioning of the body. However, the plant has a certain range of adverse reactions and contraindications. Undesirable effects include:

1. Bad breath. Is almost always celebrated after eating the plant. To eliminate it, you can chew parsley, lightly toasted bread or walnuts in the mouth.
2. Dyspeptic disorders (heartburn, nausea, belching with stomach contents). Are usually observed with excessive consumption of onions (more than 300 grams at a time) or in the presence of chronic diseases of the digestive system.
3. Cardiac arrhythmias. In the presence of heart failure or coronary heart disease, it is recommended to give up onions. The plant has a pronounced toning effect and can provoke the development of arrhythmias.

Thus, onions should not be consumed with the following contraindications:

• Exacerbation of chronic or acute diseases of the digestive tract (peptic ulcer, gastritis, duodenitis, enteritis, GERD);
• Coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction in the anamnesis (the plant is effective only for the prevention of these pathologies);
• Chronic heart failure;
• Tachycytolic forms of arrhythmias.

The issue of onion consumption during pregnancy deserves special attention. Onions are a rich source of folic acid, vitamin C and a number of other substances that are extremely important for the normal development of the fetus.

Folic acid deficiency leads to malformations of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, vitamin C - to the manifestation of infectious and inflammatory pathologies in the unborn child.

The recommended daily allowance for pregnant women is ½ onion.

Answers to questions

The most controversial points regarding the use of onions are discussed below.

1. In what form is it better to use it? It is recommended to give preference to fresh onions in their raw form. Boiled, stewed and baked onions lose some of their useful properties. And fried onions contain carcinogenic compounds that can increase the likelihood of developing malignant neoplasms in the large intestine.
2. How much can I eat per day? The recommended maximum daily allowance of onions is 100 grams or 1 onion.
3. Comparison with garlic. Onion and garlic have almost the same set of medicinal properties, as they belong to the same genus. However, garlic is characterized by the formation of toxic by–products in the body - hydrogen sulfide derivatives. Therefore, onions can be considered more useful than garlic.
4. Is pickled onion useful? No! Under the influence of vinegar, there is a decrease in the concentration of nutrients, and there is also a pronounced ulcerogenic (ulcer-forming) effect on the gastric mucosa.
5. Are his children allowed? Yes. Onions can be introduced into the diet of a child from the age of 8 months, starting from 5 grams per week.it should be given to the child in boiled form together with meat or vegetable purees.
6. Application of decoctions and infusions. Decoctions and infusions in the classic version are made on the basis of onion husks. In folk medicine, they are used for Enhance immunity , normalization of the nervous system, acceleration of healing of damaged skin areas and lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. However, there are currently no scientific studies confirming such healing properties.

Conclusion

1. Thus, onions contain many valuable vitamins, micro- and macronutrients, as well as antioxidants.
2. Onions are used to improve the health of the digestive, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune and musculoskeletal systems.
3. The plant is also able to prevent the development of malignant neoplasms, improve men's health and enhance the aesthetic qualities of the skin.
4. Taking onions should be treated with caution due to the presence of contraindications and the possibility of adverse reactions.