onion about health benefits also Nutrition Facts

An introduction to onions...

The humble onion is found in every kitchen, but its curative powers make it an important medicinal plant too. Like garlic, it is a member of the lily family. There can be no doubting the power of the juices contained in onions; anyone who has ever sliced one and shed a tear is only too aware that they hold something special. Quite apart from its medicinal properties the onion is simply delicious. It forms the basis of so many dishes - whether raw, sautéed, baked, steamed or boiled, that it would be difficult to imagine the cuisine of any country without it

One of the most significant sources of antioxidants in the human diet is onions, reports Cornell University Associate Professor Rui Hai Lui. These antioxidants provide this vegetable with its sweet flavors and distinct aroma. Consuming onions supplies your body with soluble fiber and flavonoids, antioxidant compounds that fight free radicals. These flavonoids assist in thinning your blood, decreasing inflammation and fighting cancer.

Blood Thinner

Onions may assist in thinning your blood, as they contain thiosulfinates -- the agents that provide an onion with its pungent odor and cause teary eyes when you come in contact with this vegetable. Additionally, this sulfur compound prevents platelets in your blood from aggregating and operates as a natural blood thinner. When platelets cluster in your blood, your risk for experiencing a stroke or heart attack significantly increases. Thiosulfinate concentrations are more prevalent in onions with a dry consistency and high-carbohydrate content. Eat your onions raw for maximum thiosulfinate content, as cooking onions significantly decreases the quantity of this compound. If you take a prescription blood thinner, consult with your physician about consuming onions in conjunction with your medication, as you do not want your blood to become too thin.

Fiber

Fiber is present in all plant-based foods, including onions. Consuming fiber in your diet assists in regulating your blood sugar, decreasing your bad cholesterol, promoting healthy intestinal functioning and maintaining an optimal body weight. Onions also contain a special form of soluble fiber known as fructan. When you consume fructan, this soluble fiber turns into a gel-like substance in your colon and converts to fatty acids. These fatty acids act as a natural laxative, stimulating bowel movements. The fructan in onions, inulin fructan, promotes the growth of good bacteria in your intestines, which may combat any infections in your colon.

Onions consist mostly of water, carbs and fiber. The main fibers in them, fructans, can feed the friendly bacteria in the gut, but they can also cause digestive problems in some people.

Carbs

Carbohydrates make up about 9-10% of both raw and cooked onions.

They consist mostly of simple sugars, such as glucose, fructose and sucrose, as well as fibers.

A 100 gram (3.5 oz) portion of onions contains 9.3 grams of carbs, and 1.7 grams of fiber, so the total digestible carbohydrate content is 7.6 grams.

Vitamins and Minerals

Onions contain decent amounts of several vitamins and minerals.

The main ones are listed below:

1.  Vitamin C: An antioxidant vitamin that is needed for immune function and maintenance of skin and hair

2.  Folate (B9): A water-soluble B-vitamin that is essential for cell growth and metabolism, and is especially important for pregnant women

3.    Potassium: This essential mineral can have blood pressure-lowering effects, and is important for heart health

Onions contain decent amounts of vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6 and potassium.

Anti-Cancer Benefits

Onions are packed full of anticancer compounds, such as flavonoids and phenolics. Shallots, Western Yellow, Northern Red and pungent yellow onions assist in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, which may protect against the development of colon and liver cancer. Onions with higher antioxidant quantities offer greater protection against certain types of cancer than onions with fewer antioxidants. For example, the Western Yellow contains 11 times more antioxidants than the Western White and provides the strongest protection against the production of liver cancer cells. The Western Whites contain the least amount of antioxidants among onion varieties and offer the least protection against cancer cells.