Onion is one of the most important cooking items found in most kitchens in any part of the world. Unique in the culinary field, it aids in the cooking of some dishes. Its bulb has special characteristic with pungent taste and scent. Onion is used soup-making, sauces, stew and other food seasoning.
It originated from Central Asia especially Iran and Pakistan. People have cultivated onion 5,000 years ago. Ancient Egyptians used onion to pay workers who built pyramid. Onions were put in the tombs of their kings including the tomb of Tutankhamen.
Since 6 BC, onion has become a popular condiment in different types of food in India and later spread to Europe and other parts of the world. The word ‘onion’ is derived from Onion since it has many layers which come in one bulb.
In scientific family, onion is called Allium cepa, a plant from family Liliaceae. There are lots of varieties of onion and one of them is red onion. Red onion is a variety that has purple red skin and white rings of flesh. Red onions are usually in medium and large size. The flavor of red onion is mild and sweet while the texture is crisp. The onion can be eaten raw and can also add some colour to dishes. It can be grilled, fried or sauced during cooking process.
The red onion usually used to make pickle with vinegar possesses many health benefits to the body.
Nutritional Facts
Red onion contains Vitamin C, B6, biotin, chromium, calcium and dietary fibre. In addition, they contain a good amount of folic acid and vitamin B1 and K. One hundred grammes of red onions contain 44 calories. Most calories come from complex carbohydrates. Red onion also contains dietary fibre with 1.4 gramme for 100 grammes. Like other types, the onion contains an enzyme called alliinase, which is released when the red onion is cut or crushed. This substance makes people to shed tears when they cut or crush it.
Red onion contains the highest pigment known as flavonoid. Flavonoid is important as anti-oxidant within the body together with quercetin. Sulfur is another compound found in red onion. It has positive effect to the body organ especially for the liver. Sulphorous food like red onion is the best to be mixed with any types of food protein because sulfur can enhance the amino function especially that affecting nerve and brain.
Health Benefits of Red Onion
Since red onion contains high amount of nutrient, it is of immense value to consume it regularly. A checklist:
1. Reduces cholesterol
Red Onion reduces cholesterol level in fast ways. It contains high amount of quercetin which helps in lowering bad cholesterol or LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) by increasing the level of good fat of known as HDL (High Density Lipoprotein). Quercetin is a compound of flavonoid known as a strong anti-oxidant.
2. Prevents atherosclerosis
Red onion reduces cholesterol level and blocks the cholesterol from entering the arteries wall. This may prevent the development of plaque inside the blood vessel lining and reduce the risk of heart disease.
3. Fights inflammation
Red onion is the best source of quercetin among other types of plant based food. Quercetin in red onion does not only reduce cholesterol level but also has strong anti-inflammatory effect. It can reduce inflammation and prevent the body from several disease which caused by inflammation.
4. Helps immune system function
Antioxidant content in Allium cepa or red onion can significantly protect the body cells from any damage caused by free radicals. It also boosts the immune system function and makes it work more efficient.
5. Detoxifies the body
Red onion contains high amount of sulphur that helps to detoxify the body by latching to the heavy metal such as mercury, cadmium, lead and etc. It also contains vitamin C that can help to purify the blood by removing lead, cadmium and arsenic from the body. Surely, the onion is one of best foods that protect the body from harmful substance.
6. Lowers blood pressure
Red onion prevents blood clotting and has same effects on other blood thinner prescription drugs. Many cardiologists recommend to their patients to include red onion in their prescription or diet since it has great benefits in keeping cardiovascular system.
7. Prevents cancer
Many studies have proved that antioxidant in red onion can prevent cancer by reducing DNA damage caused by free radicals. Studies also found that onion destroys tumor cell in the experimental tube and fights cancer cells especially in leukemia case. Red onion prevents any type of cancer especially colon and laryngeal.
8. Prevents diabetes
Red onion has significant blood sugar lowering action comparable to some diabetes prescription drugs. The sulfur and allycin components of red blood cells also increase insulin sensitivity and prevent from hyperglycemia.
9.Treats asthma
It is also used in treatment of asthma. The onion contains active compound that inhibits substance triggering bronchial muscle spasm and calming effects to relax the respiratory muscle.
10. Fights bacterial infection
Red onion contains many active substances with anti-bacterial properties. It is effective in fighting Salmonella infection and E. Coli bacteria which cause several health problems including diarrhea in human body.
11. Cures fever and cold
Do you ever try to rub your body, neck or forehead with red onion when you feel sick? Red onion contains active phytochemical that reduces the effect of fever and prevents cold. It is proven that the application of a bowl full of red onion get rid of flu.
12. Reduces pain in arthritis
Since it contains anti-inflammatory properties, red onion is helpful in reducing pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis is an auto-immune disease that attacks mostly the joint and causes severe pain. Consuming red onion daily inhibits enzyme in the body which triggers joint pain thereby reducing the pain of arthritis.
13. Removes acne and dark spot on skin
Red onion pigment or flavonoid and anti-oxidant in the flesh reduce dark spot on the skin. Onion prevents acne because it contains anti-bacterial effect and gets rid of the dark spot caused by acne scar.
14. Relieves toothache
Placing a piece of onion on tooth helps to relieve toothache. Red onion contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can get rid of bacteria causing toothache and also calming the nerve in the gum.
15. Improves brain function
Red onion contains high amount of sulfur that can enhance the amino acid components that required in the brain and nervous system function. Consuming red onion a day helps to maintain healthy brain cell and improves memory.
16. Cures menstrual disorder
It is believed that consuming raw onion before menstruation period can treat and prevent menstrual disorder in women.
17. Prevents hair loss
Red onion juice helps to promote hair growth by nourishing the hair root and providing it with sulfur needed in hair cell formation. One of the prominent benefits of red onion confirmed by many people around the world is treatment of baldness. Regularly rub the hair scalp with red onion juice and watch the difference after some weeks.
18. Prevents HIV
It is one of the most fascinating benefits of red onion. Study shows that red onion can prevent HIV infection by inhibiting its functioning or virus replication process within the body.
19. Relieves stomach upset
If you feel symptom of sickness in your tummy you, consume raw red onion to improve your digestion and promote gastric juice production. Rub red onion on the stomach skin of children for stomach ailment.
20. Treats morphine withdrawal
Red onion is the best spice for morphine withdrawal treatment. Study proves that red onion can help to reduce the effect of morphine withdrawal thus fighting against morphine addiction.
21. Cures nose bleeding
It helps to cure nose bleeding since it has anti-inflammatory effects to the blood vessel. Simply rub the onion on the nose and wait for its effect some minutes.
22. Cures burnt skin and insect bites
Red onion juice simply cures the burnt wound caused by ant or bee bite. Grate or crush the onion then apply on the skin. Though it causes burning sensation feeling on skin, allow it to remain to cure the wound.
23. Protects liver from damage
The high sulfur contents of red onion help to detoxify the blood and the body from harmful substance to allow the liver function and protect it from damage.
24. Induces good sleep
It is the best in guaranteeing a high quality sleep. Red onion calms nerves, promotes good sleep as well as treats insomnia.
25. Maintains healthy bones
Red onion contains Gamma L Glutamyl which inhibits osteoclast (cells which break down the bones), thus enhancing healthy and strong bones.
26. Increases appetite
Red onion contains glutamic acid that enhances flavor of a dish. This additive makes people who are under medication to have appetite.
In traditional medication, red onion is used to treat:
Headache
Sore throat
Skin allergy
Dysuria
Urinary infection
Eyes problem
Ear infection
Impotence
Dysentry
Fatigue
Corns
Phlegm
Haemorrhoids
Jaundice
Chest congestion
Vomiting
Heat stroke
Melasma
Night blindness
Motion sickness
Skin rash
Dizziness
Renal stones
Scurvy
Fungal Infection
Side Effects of Red Onion
Excessive use of red onion can cause unpleasant body odour, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, heartburn and flatulence. People who take anti-coagulant medicine must consult their doctor before they consume red onion. Consumption of red onion may interfere with blood thinning medicine such as warfarin. It is save to consume the onion during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Tips to Consume Red Onion
Red onion has many benefits to health and you must know how to purchase, store and consume it savely. Check the tips below
Onion is available in market whole year and purchase only fresh onion to get the more benefits but you can also purchase the dried or frozen and even canned onion for culinary purposes.
Choose hard, firm and dry bulb. The skin around red onion must be shiny and has cracky feeling.
Do not purchase red onion which is wet and has soft textures on the neck area. Avoid hollow onion with woody sprout inside it.
Store red onion in a cool and dry place. You can also store the fresh red onion in fridge for about a week long.
Red onion can be sliced, chopped, diced, or grated. Before you cook, ensure you peel and wash it before using it.
You can use red onion in any types of dishes from salad, soup, stew, sandwiches, pizza, burgers and any other dish you like. You can also slice the onion and make fried onion which can enhance the taste of the dishes.
Wet your hands and wash the red onion before you slice it to avoid shedding tears. Just simply place the onion and cool them inside fridge or freezer for some minutes.
Red onion can be fried and salted for maximum 10 minutes. To bake or boil it needs longer time at about 30 minutes.
Enjoy your cooking time and always mix the onion with healthy meal stuff.
(DrHealthBenefits)
