It belongs to the Allium family of plants, which also includes onions, chives, garlic, and leeks. These vegetables have characteristic pungent aromas and some medicinal properties. It is common knowledge that chopping onions causes watering eyes. However, onions are very beneficial to health. Onions have important benefits such as reducing the risk of various types of cancer, improving mood, protecting skin and hair health. Dyt. from Memorial Antalya Hospital Nutrition and Diet Department. Berna Ertuğ gave information about the benefits of onions.
AGAINST DISEASES FREQUENTLY INCLUDE ONION ON YOUR TABLES
Onions are an important source of vitamins A, C and B. It is also rich in sulfur, iodine, calcium, iron, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and antioxidants. Vitamin A supports both immunity against infections and eye health, while B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin B helps the immune and nervous system work properly. Vitamin C in its content helps to protect against diseases, especially in winter.
The nutrients contained in the onion;
- 15 small onions (100g) are 30 calories.
- 9.3 grams of carbohydrates
- 1.7 grams of fiber
- 0.1gram fat
- 1.1 grams of protein
- 4mg sodium
- 146 mg of potassium
ONION REDUCES THE RISK OF CANCER
Studies show that onions help reduce the risk of developing cancer types such as ovarian and colorectal, thanks to the antioxidant called quercetin. Quercetin helps inhibit the release of histamine, which causes allergic reactions, in immune cells.
Thus, onions are known to help support immunity in people with asthma or allergic problems. The sulfur in the onion has a blood thinning effect and prevents the accumulation of platelets that increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Sulfur from onions has been found in other studies to help delay and reduce the onset of hypertension.
KEEP THE ONION SEPARATE FROM THE POTATOES
As a society, one of the most common mistakes when storing onions is to keep or store them in the same environment as potatoes. Because the moisture emitted by the potato causes the onion to sprout and rot. Storing dried onions in a cool and dry environment ensures that they are consumed fresh for a long time.
Onions that are left unfinished can be stored in the refrigerator by putting them in a glass storage container. Putting fresh onions wet in the refrigerator is one of the other mistakes made. First of all, if there are leaves that have lost their freshness, they should be cleaned and then wrapped in paper towels and stored in the refrigerator. In this way, fresh onions can be kept fresh longer.
ROASTING ONION IN OIL IS NOT HEALTHY
One of the biggest mistakes made is to fry the onion in oil while consuming it. Oil burns during frying in oil. As the oil is burned, more carcinogenic substances emerge. As with frying, it is not healthy to fry the onion in oil. When cooking with onions, all vegetables should be cooked raw together in the pot. Onions are already cooked with the water released by the vegetables during cooking. While cooking a meat dish, the onion is cooked on its own with the water left by the meat while sautéing the meat.
THOSE WHO HAVE STOMACH AND BOTTOM SENSITIVITY…
Onions can cause discomfort in individuals with stomach and intestinal sensitivities. Onions do not cause discomfort such as burning in people who do not have any complaints in their stomach and intestines. If a person has ailments such as reflux, gastritis or intestinal intolerance, their sensitivity may increase when they consume onions. Onions are very fibrous and high in sulfur, so they can increase gastrointestinal complaints such as gas. Onion skin can also play a role in the formation of complaints. It is recommended that those with stomach and intestinal sensitivities consume cooked onions instead of raw onions.