Spices Health Facts: Onion

Onion is one spice that is very common in many kitchens. They can be incorporated in many dishes including vegetable salads. It is a well-known spice because of its characteristic of making your eyes water while cutting them. But this should not be a reason why you should neglect this very important spice because there are just too many good things in it.

Health Benefits of Onions

Onions are rich in magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, essential oils, antioxidant, anti-bacterial properties, and many other important minerals. That is why they make a good home remedy for various health conditions.

Anemia – Onion is rich in iron and it helps treat people with anemia especially if incorporated in their daily diet.

Heart attack prevention – Onion is known to have anti-coagulant properties and eating small to medium-sized raw onion daily can significantly help lower cholesterol level of the body, lower blood pressure, dissolve blood clots, and prevent heart attack.

Arthritis and Gout – The anti-inflammatory properties in onion makes it very useful in alleviating the symptoms of arthritis and gout. Simply incorporate raw or cooked onion in your daily diet to feel its effect.

Constipation – Eat raw onions everyday or add it in your dishes to get relief from constipation.

Hair loss – To promote hair growth, apply onion juice on scalp at least twice a week within two months.

Urinary tract infection – To soothe the pain caused by urinary tract infection, boil 5 medium-sized onion in half a liter of water. Let it cool then separate water from the onion using a strainer and drink it. Onion is rich in anti-bacterial properties that can kill bacteria causing the infection.

Prevention of colon cancer – If you have onion-rich diet, you can greatly reduce your risk of colon cancer. Onions are rich in fructo-oligosaccharides which stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the colon preventing cancer cells from thriving.

Diabetes – Another good property that can be found in onions is chromium which helps the cells of diabetic patients to respond to insulin and improve tolerance in glucose.

Prevention of fever, cold and flu – Onion is a good immune booster. Its helps prevent fever, colds and flu especially during cold season. Drinking 3 teaspoons onion juice daily should work for you.

Osteoporosis – Recent studies discover a new compound in onion which helps prevent the breaking down of bones. This is especially beneficial for women prone to osteoporosis as they approach menopausal stage.

Sinus relief – People especially children who are having hard time breathing because of mucus, onion can be a perfect home remedy. Prepare equal parts of onion juice and honey and take 3 teaspoons daily. This should liquefy or loosen mucus and prevent its further formation.

Tooth Decay – Chewing raw onion can help fight off bacteria causing tooth decay and can improve the strength of teeth.

Prevent illnesses caused by E. Coli and salmonella – E. coli and salmonella are bacteria which can cause serious health risks. They are present in foods which are not properly prepared and cooked. To prevent illnesses caused by these bacteria, try to always include onions in your dish. The thiosulfinates and sulphides in onions are effective anti-microbial and anti-bacterial ingredients which will do the work.

Onions have many health benefits aside from the fact that they can also enhance the taste of a dish. Because of this, there is no reason for you not to consider onions for your daily serving of meals.