The phytochemicals in onions improve the working of Vitamin C in the body, thus gifting you with improved immunity.
Onions contain chromium, which assists in regulating blood sugar.
•For centuries, onions have been used to reduce inflammation and heal infections.
• Do you enjoy sliced onions with your food? If yes, rejoice! Raw onion encourages the production of good cholesterol (HDL), thus keeping your heart healthy.
• A powerful compound called quercetin in onions is known to play a significant role in preventing cancer.
• Got bitten by a honeybee? Apply onion juice on the area for immediate relief from the pain and burning sensation.
• Onions scavenge free radicals, thereby reducing your risk of developing gastric ulcers.
•Those bright green tops of green onions are rich in Vitamin A, so do use them often.
•My favorite way to enjoy onions is to slice them really thin, squeeze some lemon juice on top and add a little salt. Sprinkling a few freshly washed cilantro leaves adds fragrance and flavor to this simple, quick salad, without which no dinner of mine is complete.
Tips on cutting onions without tears
Those pesky, stinging tears that go along with chopping up an onion are such a pain! Luckily, though, these tears can be easily avoided if you know what you’re doing and you have the proper equipment. Read on for the proper way to cut an onion.
So, why do onions make you cry in the first place? Well, it’s all about the enzymes. Cutting into an onion breaks cells, and causes different enzymes to interact with each other to produce a whole new enzyme. This enzyme irritates your eyes, which creates tears.
How to cut an onion
•Cut a small portion off the top of the onion.
•From the root down, cut the onion in half.
• Peel and discard skin.
• With the flat side down, cut parallel, evenly spaced slices into the onion. Don’t cut all the way to the root.
• With your knife parallel to your cutting board, cut slices that stop before the root end.
• Cut through your first round of slices.
Other tips:
Make sure that your knife is as sharp as possible. A chef’s knife is ideal here.
You can freeze onions or let them sit in cool water for about 20 minutes before chopping to reduce tears.
Having the hood vent on can reduce irritation.
Dicing with a piece of bread in your mouth has been known to alleviate symptoms.
You can even use goggles to stop the sting.
How to treat the tears:
The best thing to do is wash your hands with soap and water. Splashing cool water in your face, or placing a damp towel over your eyes, can also help.
Never mind the tears they bring on—onions are an ace ally in your fight against disease. A prized member of the lily family, they lavish you with health benefits while adding oodles of taste to your food.
Source: UC News
