Are onions good for us? Vitamins One serving of onions provides 11.5 percent of the vitamin B-6 you need each day. This makes onions a smart choice for cognitive and nerve function as vitamin B-6 helps your body manufacture serotonin and make myelin, the layer of fats and proteins that cover your nerves. Many people suffer from a mild vitamin B-6 deficiency, which can impact the nerves in your legs and arms. You also get 5.9 percent of the daily recommended intake of folate as well as 3.9 percent of the vitamin C your body requires each day. Minerals While onions may not be the first thing you reach for to increase your calcium intake, one serving of this vegetable provides 3.5 percent of the calcium you need daily. The calcium in onions lends critical strength and density to your bones and teeth. Each serving of onion provides a small amount of manganese as well. In addition, eating onions may help your body more effectively absorb minerals from the grains in breads and cereals you eat. Phytochemicals, or phytonutrients, are naturally occurring compounds in fruits and vegetables that are able to react with the human body to trigger healthy reactions. Research has shown that phytonutrients help the body cells communicate with each other more efficiently to prevent mutations at the cellular level, preventing the proliferation of cancer cells. The University of Maryland Medical Center said that onions also contain ‘quercetin’ which inhibits cancer cells in breast, colon, prostate, ovarian, endometrial, and lung tumors. The sulfur in onions may be an effective anti-inflammatory agent, according to a 1990 study in the journal International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology. Quercetin has also been found to relax the airway muscles and may provide relief of asthma symptoms. The anti-inflammatory benefits of onions may also help provide relief from blocked sinuses and your nose in colds and flu. Red onions are especially high in quercetin. Shallots and yellow onions are also good options. White onions contain the least amount of quercetin. The chromium in onions is also good for those suffering from ‘diabetes’. Another compound called ‘ allyl propyl disulphide’, assists in regulating blood sugar. The sulfur in onions helps lower blood sugar by triggering increased insulin production. One 2010 study in the journal Environmental Health Insights revealed that this might be especially helpful to people with people with diabetes. People with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who ate red onions showed lower glucose levels for up to four hours. This does not mean that the onion can be used as a substitute for insulin therapy; but it may be of help to those who suffer from hypoglycaemia. Onions also contains ‘Flavonoids’ which are responsible for pigments in many fruits and vegetables. Studies have shown that ‘flavonoids’ may help reduce the risk of Parkinsons disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke and also help to lower bad cholesterol and raise good HDL-cholesterol.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 04:57:30 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015