Why is onion healthy?

Onions have been an integral part of the human diet for more than 7.000 years. It is considered to be the most widespread type of vegetable in the world because it is used in different forms on all continents. Onion is a biennial plant, all parts of which are edible - both the bulb and the bulb.

What does onion contain?

Onions contain, first of all, high concentrations of vitamin C, vitamins of the B group, then folic acid, iron, calcium and dietary fiber. It is good because it does not contain fat, and it also contains low concentrations of salt. Quercetin, an extremely strong antioxidant from the group of flavonoids, is found in high concentrations in onions (several times more than in apples). All of the above is a clear reason why many scientists classify onions as one of the healthiest types of vegetables.

What is onion used for?

Since the time of the ancient Romans, onions have been used to treat various diseases and conditions. With the discovery of the already mentioned antioxidant quercetin, its role as a healthy food was confirmed. Onions have been proven to: improve bone strength, prevent arteriosclerosis (accumulation of fat in the blood vessel wall), thereby preventing heart attacks and strokes; reduces the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer (colon cancer) and breast cancer; has a proven anti-inflammatory effect (reduces inflammation).

Quercetin, an ingredient of black onion, acts as a bronchodilator - it widens the airways, thus alleviating the symptoms of airway obstruction, thus facilitating e.g. acute asthma attack. Also, it has been described that onion affects the regulation of blood sugar levels.

Are there any side effects of garlic?

Eating fresh onions can increase stomach acid attack (heartburn). An allergy to onion has also been described, and people who drink anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners) must be careful because consuming a large amount of green onion leaves can increase the effect of those drugs, that is, lead to unwanted reactions - bleeding.

What is the healthiest way to consume onions?

It is healthiest to consume fresh onions. Care should be taken to remove only the upper skin and not to remove the first layers of the peeled onion, because most of the healthy substances (mentioned vitamins and antioxidants) are found in that part of the plant. Of course, you can consume it both boiled and fried, but then the amount of healthy substances is less because the high temperature destroys most of them, especially vitamin C.