Onions are Good for Health

Onions are an absolute necessity for meat eaters. They are used to flavor certain vegetable dishes as well. Salads without onions seem to be incomplete too. The peculiar pungent smell of this member of the lily family makes our meals enjoyable to a great extent. They can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Raw, cooked, roasted, fried or dried. Apart from enhancing the taste, onions are known to have certain beneficial effects on our health. The more pungent variety of this vegetable possesses more phytochemicals and consequently has greater effect on our health.

The early American settlers used it for curing colds and coughs. They were also applied on the skin in order to repel insects.

Studies have shown that onions prevent bronchial spasms and can be used to provide relief to asthma patients.

Flavonoid or quercetin present in onions can actually inhibit the growth of tumors within the colon. Colonic cancers can thus be prevented if you include onions in your diet. However, consuming onions in large quantities may cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract causing diarrhea.

Onion also helps in keeping the blood cholesterol level under control. It is healthy for the heart and prevents angina and other cardiac diseases. High blood pressure can be reduced by eating onions too. They can be used for diminishing clotting disorders as well.

Onions are also known for their anti bacterial and anti fungal properties. Skin blemishes like pimples can be cleared by applying onion juice mixed with vinegar over the affected area.

Onions helps to improve the kidney function by facilitating the absorption of nitrogen from the blood.

The World Health Organization has recommended onions as appetizers. Salads and soups containing onions can be used to build up an appetite and aids the digestion as well. It prevents thickening of blood vessels and can be an effective in warding off atherosclerosis.