Onion Allergy
Some unfortunate people are allergic to onions. If you are, you may experience an itchy rash or itchy eyes when you come into contact with an onion. Although there are no serious allergic reactions reported, if you experience difficulty breathing,, swelling to the throat or severe redness to the skin, you should seek advice from your doctor.
Heartburn
If you regularly suffer from heartburn, eating raw onions can worsen your symptoms so they are best limited in your diet.
Wind
Onions contain fructose, a sugar which is not easily digested by the gut. Fructose will pass into the intestine to be broken down which in turn, for some people, can produce gas. Gas production can lead to abdominal bloat and increased flatulence.
Onions are a great source of soluble fibre. This makes them a powerful prebiotic food. Soluble fibre promotes a healthy gut and is crucial for belly fat loss.
Onions have been part of the human diet for over 7,000 years. Traces of onions have been discovered by archaeologists which date back to 5000 B.C.
Onions can weaken a dog's red blood cells, leading to anaemia. In severe cases, this could result in death. Symptoms of anaemia in your dog include weakness, vomiting, loss of appetite and breathlessness.
Counting sheep not working for you? How about eating onions? Onions contain L-tryptophan, an amino acid which is a natural sedative. The effect of lowering the blood sugar levels, lowers your activity level, making onions great for insomnia.
One of the most commonly asked questions of the humble onion. How can they be so good for us but also make us cry? Before they are cut or damaged in any way, onions are no more likely to make you cry than any other vegetable. However, once they are chopped and the cells are damaged, amino acid sulphoxides are released. Enzymes are released in your eyes do to your brain thinking your eyes are under attack. The enzymes react with the sulphoxides to form sulphonic acids. This in turn brings on the tears as your bodies natural defence to these compounds.
It's a popular misconception that placing a cut onion in your room will absorb the bacteria and viruses associated with the common cold. Unfortunately, it isn't scientifically possible for an onion to absorb germs from a person. In fact onions have antibacterial properties which even if it were possible, would make them a bad host for any cold causing nasties.
Onions contain folic acid and fibre, helping your body make healthy new cells. Raw onions have a higher level of organic sulphur compounds but the health benefits are there whether eaten raw or cooked.
You will find many examples on the internet of cut onions being put in the bedroom while people sleep and them turning black by the morning, supposedly absorbing bacteria from an ill person while they sleep. This happens because the cells start to break down as soon as the onion is cut and eventually the onion will rot. It is not because it is absorbing bacteria.
Onions should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place, such as a pantry or cupboard. Avoid storing onions in the refrigerator as it can make them go soft and damp. If you bought the onions in a plastic bag, do not store them in the bag. Onions like airflow around them. Keeping them confined to a plastic bag can lead to moisture build up inside the bag. This in turn can lead to mould growth.
Although all vegetables have important health giving properties, onions have more than most. Onions are high in vitamins and minerals and low in calories. They act as a powerful antioxidant due to their high concentration of Quercetin. This can help reduce cholesterol levels which may lower the risk of heart disease. Red onions in particular contain high levels of anthocyanins, the pigment that gives the onions their red colour. Studies show that consuming higher levels of anthocyanins have a reduced risk of heart disease.
The suphur compounds in onions and garlic have also shown to have cancer fighting properties. The flavanoids Quercitin and fisetin found in onions have been proven to inhibit tumour growth.
It's not just milk and dairy products that contribute to healthy bones. Studies show that consuming onions improves bone mineral density. Onions may also help prevent osteoporosis through reducing oxidative stress.
Onions have also been shown to have antibacterial properties, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacterial such as E. coli and S. aureos.
Finally, the consumption of onions helps people suffering from diabetes by controlling blood sugar. Sulfur compounds and quercetin found in onions possess antidiabetic properties.
So to answer the question, is eating onions good for you, the simple is answer is yes! Try and get them into as many meals as you can and live a long and healthy life.