20 Onion Benefits for health

Onion is a  round bulb vegetable eaten throughout the world . It is one of the oldest known food. Pungent in taste but is immensely useful . Besides culinary uses this vegetable is a healthy food with lot of curative powers. Onion keeps you away from infections and fights lot of diseases. We will discuss in length in this article.

Nutrition in Onions

Onion belong to allium family of vegetables. It has the higher amount of polyphenol among  allium vegetables. Onions are rich in  quercetin – a flavonoid that is  antioxidant.  Onion’s rich sulfur content imparts fighting infection qualities. There are 4 types of sulfides present in onions.
a) It is zero fat food with no trans and saturated fats.
b) Zero in Cholesterol content.
c) A small 70g onion contains 28 calories, 0.8g proteins and 6.5g of carbohydrate of which dietary fiber is 1.2 g.
d) You get a decent number of vitamins on eating onion. A small onion provides you 5.2 mg of Vitamin C,  13.3 mcg of folate, 0.1mg of  Niacin, 0.1mg of vitamin B6. Other vitamins nutrients are Vitamin K, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Choline and Betaine.
e) Mineral content in 70g onion – Calcium 16.1 mg, Iron 0.1 mg, Magnesium 7.0 mg, Phosphorus 20.3 mg, Potassium 102 mg, Sodium 2.8 mg, Zinc 0.1 mg, Copper 0.0 mg, Manganese 0.1 mg, Selenium 0.3 mcg, Fluoride 0.8 mcg.

Onion Benefits

1. Prevents and  cures Asthma :  Anti-inflammatory qualities of onion gives you relief from asthma symptoms. Quercetin an antioxidant flavonoid found in abundance in onion prevents asthma. Quercetin dilates the bronchi. Other benefits of onion eating are strengthening of bronchial tubes and protection of lungs lining from pollution. There are 2 ways to control asthama : a) Drink  mixture of onion juice, ginger juice , salt and black pepper  and b) Eating mixture of freshly grounded onion and honey.

2. Beneficial to diabetics by lowering Blood Sugar : Onion’s rich sulfur content stimulates the production of more insulin thus reducing the blood sugar levels.

3. Lowers bad cholesterol LDL levels and increase good cholesterol HDL levels : This is due to sulfur , quercetin  flavonoid content of onion . As we know bad cholesterol LDL is responsible for cardiac diseases. Lowering prevent from such risks

4. Reduces high blood pressure : Quercitin flavonoid in onion lowers high BP. 2-3 teaspoons of onion juice can lowers systolic blood pressure levels by 25 points and  diastolic blood pressure levels by 15 points . Adenosine is antiplatelet found in onion , it plays the role of muscle relaxation thus easing blood pressure levels.

5. Relief for Arthritis Patients : Onions are anti-inflammation in nature. Eating regularly gives you relef from pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. It is quercitin, a flavonoid present in onion does this role. It blocks the production of inflammation molecules ( histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes) and enzymes ( 5-lipoxygenase. 5-Lipoxygenase) in our body thus giving relief to arthritis patients. The sulfur content in onion also treats the symtoms asscociated with arthritis patients. Most beneficial variety of onions is red and yellow. Apply a mixture of onion juice and sesame seed  oil on painful areas as well as eating onions gives relief to arthritis patients

6. Strengthens Bone and fights Osteoporosis : Onion consumption increases the bone density. Sulphur content in onion plays the role in the formation of bone connective tissues – cartilage, tendons, and synovial fluid.  Polyphenols is flavonoid  present in onion , these flavoniods  increase bone building cells. There lesser risk of hip fractures for older women if they consume onions. Thus it helps fight osteoporosis.

7. Treats Psoriasis symptoms : We all know Psoriasis causes immense inflammation and iching. Eating onions reduces inflammation. For more beneficial results  combine onion food with yoga exercises like Anulom Vilom Pranayama and Kapalbhati Pranayam. This holistic method will treat and cure psoriasis.

8. Prevents atherosclerosis disease : This is a disease which in which your arteries are choked by  plaque build up which results in stroke and heart attack. Onions perform the role of blood thinning and prevents platelets from grouping together and thereby preventing atherosclerosis.

9. Onion is a Blood Thinner and Prevents Platelet aggregation : Onions perform the role of blood thinning and prevents platelets from grouping together. So eating onion is beneficial for those who have a history of , cardiovascular diseases, and stroke resulting from platelet aggregation.

10. Prevents heart disease : This happens due to multiple benefits we get from eating onions. Reducing bad cholesterol LDL levels, reducing high BP, prevents platelet aggregation combined with its blood thinning abilities of onion prevent heart diseases. Thus making your heart healthy and strong.

11. Strengthens Body Immunity : Allicin in onion kills viruses, bacteria and germs.  Onions nutrition combined with anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammation qualities boost your body immunity.

12. Anti Cancer : Onion is an allium vegetables. Allium vegetables produce organo sulphur compounds  when these vegetables are  crushed, chopped and chewed. These compounds have anti cancer qualities which prevent the growth as well as development of cancer. Flavonoid quercetin in onion prevents damaged cells from converting into cancer cells. Anti-inflammatory onion qualities also prevent cancer. For best anti cancer benefits, eat the raw cut onion.

13. Cures Menstrual Disorders : Eat raw onion few days before the beginning of your cycle. Drinking  regularly onion juice mixed with jaggery also cures this disorder.

14. Treats insomnia : Before going to the bed eat on teaspoon of onion juice mixed with honey or milk. This will ensure a good sleep.

15. Cough Cure : A mixture of onion juice, ginger juice and honey helps in cough cure. It helps in the removal phlegm or mucus  from the respiratory tract.

16. Cold prevention : Apply onion juice on your forehead or eat raw onion. This will prevent cold.

17. Cures and prevents Tuberculosis : Eating raw onion prevents bacteria from causing TB. Onion also cures the person from this disease.

18. Treats ear pain : 2 to 3 drops of mildly warm onion juice in ear gives relief from pain.

19. Good for eye health : Mix a drop of onion juice in rosewater water. Now put this mixture in your eyes to improve your eyesight as well cure other eye problems.  This is due to onion’s sulfur content which is good for eyes.

20. Cures Baldness: Apply onion juice on the bald areas of your head. This will promote hair growth.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this article is for educative purpose only. Consult you doctor or professional medical advice before using any information in this article for any health program