Are "Onions" another superfood?

So today let's continue our talk about "hot" foods. We spoke about the benefits of "garlic" and "radishes" the other day. But what about "Onions"?

Onions contain a high content of antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds. They also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that have been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, lower blood sugar levels and improved bone health.

Onions contain vitamin C (which boosts the immune system and helps maintain skin and hair), folate (which is essential for cell growth and metabolism), vitamin B6 ( which is involved in the formation of red blood cells) and potassium (which can have blood pressure-lowering effects).

And their most abundant plant compounds are "anthocyanins" (only found in red and purple onions and is a powerful antioxidant), "Quercetin" (an antioxidant flavonoid that can lower blood pressure and improve heart health.), "Sulfur" compounds (that protect against cancers), and "Thiosulfinates" (may inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms and prevent the formation of blood clots).

Okay . . . so onions are often used in soups, stews and stir fries. But guess what? . . . if you mix them with raw garlic and saute' them in coconut oil . . . they become a very powerful natural "antibiotic"!

Now . . . "red" onions are especially high in "Quercetin". "Shallots" and "yellow" onions are a good option but in the medium range of goodness. And "White" onions containing the least amount of "quercetin" and other antioxidants.

Onions help to facilitate the detoxification process in our body by removing toxins and heavy metals. They fight inflammation, decrease triglycerides and reduce cholesterol level and reduce high blood pressure

Now . . . you may have known all this information . . . but did you know that onions can help you "sleep" also? Onions are rich in L-tryptophan, a form of amino acid that acts as a natural sedative.

I've spoken a lot over the months of "probiotics" and how important they are for optimal health. Well . . . there's such a thing as "PREbiotics" and that's the food that feeds the "probiotics" which in turn will help you lose belly fat. Yes . . . onion do all that!

Okay . . . so one of the biggest questions about onions is . . . why do onions make me cry?

Well . . . onions produce the chemical irritant known as "syn-propanethial-S-oxide". It stimulates the eyes lachrymat glands so they release tears. So how do we stop this crying?

It's been said . . . that if you use a very sharp knife, it will cause less damage to the cell walls of the onion. Therefore cause less chemical irritation and less crying.

And what if you don't use the whole onion for your meal? . . .

The part that you didn't use should be frozen or at least wrapped very tightly in plastic wrap, in a zipper-lock bag with no air inside or an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator. When you do use the rest of the onion PLEASE make sure you only use it for cooking (not eating it raw). The reason for this is that onions form a bacteria very quickly after being cut that can make you very sick.

So best case scenario . . . buy a smaller onion and use the whole thing for that meal.

As always, feel free to contact me here