Onions Health Benefits

Onions are highly valued in every form of cuisine imaginable especially for its distinctively pungent smell and taste that helps in bringing out the flavor in foods. More importantly onions are also used as alternatives to medication in treating certain ailments. Green onions and red onions are two types of onions available for cooking and contain similar healing properties as that of the garlic family; these contain powerful chemical compounds rich in sulphur offering health promoting effects.

Onion health benefits are observed in its blood sugar lowering ability and in promoting overall cardiovascular health. Daily consumption can have powerful effects against various forms of tumors which makes it one of the many valued health benefits of onions.

Red onion health benefits are similar to green onion health benefits as both contain the same properties and active chemical compounds needed to combat diseases. Onions are rich source of fructo-oligosaccharides which helped in stimulating growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach while destroying the growth of harmful bacteria in the colon. More importantly onion juice is known to cut down the risk of malignant tumors in the colon.

The rich source of sulfides found in onions is believed to bring down the level of blood lipids in patients with cholesterol problems and also help in controlling high blood pressure. The abundant supply of flavonoids also helps in providing protection against cardiovascular diseases. Onions also possess anti-clotting abilities which are useful against the buildup of bad cholesterol. Some cultures use onion juice at an external application against freckles and warts, due to the anti bacterial and antifungal properties in onions.

Onions are also known to have powerful germicidal properties and due to presence of volatile oils in onion juice it is highly effective against respiratory disorders. Onion juice can be safely administered to children as an effective vermifuge that helps in destroying worms in the stomach. Unlike most chemical vermifuges, onions are far from side-effects and are relatively harmless. As a remedy for bleeding piles, the onion juice blended with sugar is an effective remedy. However, consuming large quantities of onions can lead to stomach irritation and indigestion and hence a moderate amount must be consumed to treat any particular disorder. Onions also offer an abundant supply of vitamins and essential minerals in addition to calcium which contributes to its numerous health beneficial properties. In a recent study it was revealed that onions also possess the ability of building bone health due to a newly identified compound in it. Hence onions are likely to be beneficial for women who are at a risk for osteoporosis.

Sweet Onion Health Benefits

Sweet onions are another type of onion which are not pungent in flavor because they contain more water and less sulfur compounds. Sweet onion health benefits are similar to those of the other onion variety and include relief from respiratory trouble and reduced blood pressure.

Yellow Onion Health Benefits

Yellow onions make dishes such as soups and stews extremely flavorsome and hence are popularly used in cooked foods. They have a light yellow or brownish skin with white flesh inside. Yellow onion health benefits range from reduced cholesterol to lowered blood pressure levels. Regular consumption of these onions also helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and heart failure. Yellow onions are also instrumental in lowering the levels of blood sugar. They contain allyl propyl disulfide which is known to elevate free insulin levels in the body. According to some studies, these onions also help to lower the risk of colon cancer because they contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant. Even the bones are strengthened and protected with intake of yellow onions because of certain compounds that prevent the breakdown of bones. Yellow onions may also be beneficial for those with arthritis and other joint problems because they help to treat inflammation in the joints.

Red Onion Benefits

Red onions are most commonly used in sandwiches, salads and other non-cooked recipes. These onions have the mildest flavor as compared to the other varieties and lend a sweet taste to the food. Red onions have a reddish purple outer skin and this color is also present within the inner layers. Red onion health benefits range from regulating blood glucose levels to promoting good health of the digestive system. Red onions are a popular vegetable in many kitchens due to their nutritional benefits. One of the most popular red onion benefits is its role in reducing glucose levels in the blood. It is able to regular blood sugar since it contains chromium and allyl propyl. Another important red onion nutrition benefits is its effect on gastrointestinal health. It contains quercitin which is known to be helpful in promoting digestive health. Red onions may be incorporated in the diet to reduce the risk of colon cancer and other gastrointestinal complications. Red onions are also beneficial in encouraging bone health. A valuable health benefit of red onions is that it reduces inflammation. Individuals who suffer from asthma, recurring colds and also other inflammatory conditions will benefit from regular consumption of red onion. The juice of onion also has beneficial properties. Raw red onion juice benefits include relief from bronchitis and influenza. Due to its content of vitamin B6 and chromium, red onions also help to improve heart health.

White Onion Benefits

White onions have a white skin and white flesh. They are much milder than yellow onions and they can be used in dishes which call for a gentler onion flavor. The heath benefits of white onion include protection from certain types of cancers and relief from inflammatory conditions.

White onion contains chromium which helps in controlling blood sugar levels. It also contains vitamin C which is an effective antioxidant that boosts immunity. White onion benefits also include weight control because of its low calorie content. There are also many essential minerals present in white onion such potassium, manganese and copper. White onions are also effective in controlling the growth of cancer cells, fighting inflammation and reducing symptoms of diabetes. White onion juice benefits include protection from sun stroke and reduced levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. The juice of white onion may be mixed with some honey and consumed every morning. Onion juice may also be added to milk and consumed before bedtime. The juice of white onion is highly potent and may also help in reversing hair loss. A popular home remedy for alopecia areata or patchy hair loss of the scalp is to rub a piece of onion or some onion juice vigorously on the affected areas.

Onion Nutrition

Here are some additional onion nutritional benefits. Raw and cooked onions help to reduce adhesiveness of platelets and hence are beneficial in preventing thrombosis. Onion has diuretic properties and hence helps to improve urine output. It also offers protection from cardiovascular problems because of the high content of flavonoids. One of the most important onion nutritional properties is its store of sulfides which are effective in reducing blood lipids. Onions can also serve as a mild laxative and also help in reducing allergy symptoms. Other noteworthy onion nutrition facts include relief from symptoms of diabetes, protection from formation of tumors and alleviation of parasitic infections. Onion nutritional composition is as follows;
One medium onion, raw, 148 grams consists of 60 calories, 1 gram of protein, 16 grams of carbohydrate, 5 milligrams of sodium, 200 milligrams of potassium and 3 grams of dietary fiber.

Bloomin Onion Nutrition

Bloomin onion nutrition is a much discussed subject among most people. Bloomin onion is a type of onion dish which is often served as an appetizer. It is made by cutting, breading and deep frying a large onion into strips which are then arranged to resemble a flower. One of the bloomin onion nutritional facts is that this dish can be quite high in calories. The bloomin onion calories content would be high because it involves an egg wash and deep frying process.

Submitted on January 16, 2014