Onions have been well known for its ability to induce tears even from the most apathetic person. But do you know what actually brings you to tears when you are slicing an onion?

The Onion and the Allium Family

Onion is one of the many species of Allium. Its family includes shallots, scallions, chives, leeks and garlic. The Allium family is richly blessed with sulfur compounds such as sulfoxides, sulfides and thiosulfinates. If you want to put a finger on what makes you cry as you slice an onion, blame it on cysteine sulfoxides. This compound is responsible for the releasing compounds that irritate your eyes thereby causing you to shed tears. Sulfoxides also give the onion its distinct flavor.

More than 600 species of Allium had been discovered from all around the world – Asia, Northern Africa, North America and Europe. Because of their flexibility in use, members of the Allium family have been utilized as spices, vegetables, ornaments, or as a form of medicine. Its popularity has spawned its increasing production. In fact, onions are considered to be the number two most essential horticultural crop. Topping the list are tomatoes.

Onions come in different varieties. They come in different colors too – green, white, yellow and red. Each color has its own distinct flavor. Some are mildly sweet while others tend to be too strong. Onions may be consumed in its raw form, or it may be cooked, roasted, grilled, dried and fried. They have become favorite additions to stir-fried dishes, spreads, soups, salads and flavored dips.

What Makes Onions Special?

Onions have been used for medicinal purposes. The Chinese as well as early American settlers have taken advantage of onion’s medicinal effects and have utilized it in the management and treatment of conditions such as asthma, coughs, could, bacterial infections, chest pain and breathing problems. It has also been used to keep insects away. As a testament to the wonders of onions, the World Health Organization (WHO) has supported onion use in the prevention of atherosclerosis and in the management of poor appetite problems. Similarly, the WHO also recognizes an onion’s effect in the treatment of bronchitis, asthma, colds and coughs. Asthmatic people can greatly benefit from onion’s ability to decrease bronchial spasm and bronchial constriction thereby helping the sufferer breathe easier.

Health Benefits of Onions

Aside from the health benefits that were already mentioned, there are a lot more in store. The advantages that one could derive from onion consumption would make you forget that an onion is irritating to the eyes and that it actually induces tears. Here are seven more health benefits of onions:

• It is good for the heart

  Health problems associated with heart diseases normally start from either of the two, or both: high levels of fat in the blood and chronically high blood pressure. High fat levels could trigger the deposition of fatty plaques in the walls of the blood vessels and this can cause blockage to the normal flow of blood. These blockages, in the form of clots, may also dislodge and travel, sometimes ending up in the smaller blood vessels, once again causing an obstruction. Some vessels may erupt, leading to a stroke or a heart attack. On a similar manner, having high blood pressure will cause your heart to work double time to ensure that blood is delivered to your most distal boy parts. If the heart is overworked, then problems are sure to follow – enlargement of the heart and heart failure may result.

  Onions have sulfides which help lower high blood pressure as well as the amount of lipids, or fats, in the blood. Also, onions are excellent sources of flavonoids – important compounds that have been known to exhibit protective abilities against heart disease. Onions also help address the issue of blood clots. They have natural agents that prevent the clotting and clumping of platelets.

• It helps fight cancer

  Onions are rich in antioxidants – substances that help neutralize the negative effects of free radicals inside the body. Free radicals may trigger the development of various health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, arthritis and premature aging.

  Various studies have been conducted to back the health claims of onions against cancer.

  Greek studies revealed that consuming high amounts of onions and other herbs belonging to the allium family can protect you from stomach cancer. The Chinese population, who are especially fond of incorporating onions, shallots and garlic into their cooking, were also found to have a 40 percent lower risk of developing stomach cancer compared to people with low allium intake.

• It lowers LDL Cholesterol

  As mentioned earlier, the sulfides in onion act to lower fat levels inside the body, targeting the bad kind of cholesterol, or the LDL (low density lipoprotein). Low LDL levels would ensure that the blood vessels and the heart remain healthy and functioning well.

• It helps with gout and arthritic pain

  Onions are packed with anti-inflammatory agents, and because the symptoms of gout and arthritis are mostly associated with the inflammatory process, onions help by directly attacking the problem and reducing inflammation. In this way, symptoms that are primary sources of discomfort such as pain and swelling are addressed.

• It boosts the immune system

  This specific health benefit is achieved because of the rich antioxidants found in onions. Antioxidants help the body get rid of free radicals, boosting the function of the immune system thereby making sure that the body remains healthy.

• It regulates blood pressure levels

  Healthy blood pressure readings would mean that the heart need not be overworked in order for it to efficiently perform its function of pumping blood all throughout the body. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition revealed that onions help regulate blood pressure levels through its Quercetin component, a flavanol. It can actually lower high blood pressure levels by up to 5 mmHg.

• It contributes to colon health

  Onions are excellent sources of oligomers known as fructo-oligosaccharides. These help stimulate the growth of healthy levels of bifidobacteria at the same time exhibiting an inhibitory effect on bacteria that has the potential of causing the colon harm. To add to this, onions, together with its oligomer compounds, significantly reduces one’s risk of developing tumors in the colon.

Sources
vegetarian-nutrition.info
juicing-for-health.com
nutraingredients.com