Packed with vibrant flavor, onions (Allium cepa) are a staple food throughout the world. It is a close relative of other Allium family members such as garlic, leeks, and shallots. They add flavor to such dishes as stews, roasts, soups, and salads and are also served as a cooked vegetable. Onions are among the world’s oldest cultivated plants. They are versatile and can be baked, boiled, braised, grilled, fried, roasted, sautéed, or eaten raw in salads.
Where Did Onion Come From?
The exact origin of onion is unknown. It may have originated from central Asia, but the vegetable may also have grown wild all over the world. The cultivation of onion traces back over 5,000 years to China, Iran and West Pakistan.
Description Of Onion
The stem of the plant is a flattened disc at the base and the tubular leaves form a pseudo stem where their sheaths overlap. The leaves are either erect or oblique and there are 3–8 per plant. The onion plant produces pink or white flowers clustered on stalks. The bulbs are formed just above the flattened stem of the plant by overlapping leaves. The bulb is made up of several layers, each corresponding to a leaf. They are generally oval but shape can be variable and occur in clusters of 3–18 to a plant. The bulb is protected by a membrane which turns to a papery coat. Onion plants can reach a height of 50 cm (20 in) and are grown as annuals, harvested after one growing season.
Nutrition Facts Of Onion
Apart from their delightful tastes onion is a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Consuming 160 gram of raw onion offers 0.192 mg of Vitamin B6, 11.8 mg of Vitamin C, 14.94 g of Carbohydrate, 0.206 mg of Manganese, 30 µg of Vitamin B9 and 2.7 g of Total dietary Fiber. Moreover many Amino acids like 0.022 g of Tryptophan, 0.034 g of Threonine, 0.022 g of Isoleucine, 0.04 g of Leucine, 0.062 g of Lysine and 0.003 g of Methionine are also found in 160 gram of raw onion
15 Spectacular Health benefits Of Onion
- Cancer Prevention – Cancer is normally characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. It is one of the world’s leading causes of death. Several researches have connected increased consumption of onions to reduced risk of several types of cancers, such as stomach-, breast-, colon- and prostate cancers.
- Treatment of Anemia – Anemia is a disorder marked by a shortage of red blood cells or of hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness. Anemic conditions can be cured by eating onions along with drinking water, because this adds to the mineral content of the body, especially iron, which is a crucial part of producing new red blood cells. Therefore, anemia, also known as iron deficiency, can be prevented by having a health amount of onions in your diet.
- Good Oral Health – Onions are often used to avoid tooth decay and oral infections. Chewing raw onions for 2 to 3 minutes can potentially kill all the germs present in the oral area and surrounding places like the throat and lips.
- Relieving Earache – Onion is found beneficial for earache too. A few drops of onion juice may actually prove hugely beneficial to individuals suffering from acute earache. The ringing sound in the ear may be cured by applying onion juice through a piece of cotton wool.
- Treating Urinary Disorders – Onion can offer considerable relief for those suffering from a burning sensation during urination. People suffering from this condition should drink water boiled with 6 to 7 grams of onions.
- Anti-Microbial Effects – We can find several micro-organisms around us as well as in our body that normally harms our body. In that case onion extracts and essential oils may suppress the growth of harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeasts. So onion must be included in our regular diet to remain safe from these harmful microorganisms.
- Relieves Stomach Aches – Onion has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that give relief to upset stomach and other related gastric disorders. This is due to the saponins that can be found in onions. These saponins have anti-spasmodic abilities that ensure that stomach disturbances do not continue and that your bowels are clear and smoothly functioning.
- Boosts Sexual Drive – Onions are considered to increase the urge for a healthy sex life. One table spoon of onion juice along with one spoonful of ginger juice, taken three times a day, can boost the libido and sex drive.
- Treatment for Heart Ailments – Onions act as anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, which in turn avoids the red blood cells from forming clumps. These blocks and clots can lead to heart disorders or cardiovascular diseases.
- Blood Sugar Regulation – Diabetes is one of the most common diseases, considered mainly by high blood sugar levels. Research done in animals has shown that onions can help to lower blood sugar levels. This has also been shown in humans. Research in diabetics found that 100 grams of raw onions per day led to a considerable reduction in blood sugar levels. Raw onions may be beneficial in the management of both type 1 and 2 diabetes, but more research is needed.
- Immune System Strength – Onion consists of ample amount of phytochemicals that act as a stimulant to vitamin C within the body. The efficiency of vitamin C, and subsequently your immune system, is increased when you eat onions, since it boosts your immune system against toxins and numerous foreign bodies that can lead to disease and illness.
- Treatment for Cough – Cough is one of the undesirable problems that are cured by consuming an equal mixture of onion juice and honey. This solution can relive sore throats and coughing symptoms.
- Bone Health – Osteoporosis is one of the common health problems which are seen mostly in postmenopausal women. Proper and healthy diet is one of the main preventive measures for this problem. Several animal research has shown protective effects against bone deterioration, and may even increase bone mass. Apart from that research in women over 50 years of age discovered that regular onion consumption is connected with increased bone density. From this research study it is confirmed that onions may reduce bone loss in postmenopausal women and must be included in our regular diet.
- Used as Insect Repellent – Onion juice is one of the best insect repellent available in our home. You can apply onion juice to reduce the pain caused from honeybee stings. Fresh onion juice or paste can be used for external applications for other insect bites and scorpion stings as well. The smell of onions may causes insects to flee, which is why onions can be used as insect repellents as well as a form of sting treatment.
- Glowing Skin – Onion juice mixed with honey or olive oil is one of the best treatment for treating symptoms or signs of acne. Onions are also notorious anti-inflammatory vegetables, so the active compounds in onions can decrease the redness and swelling which is commonly allied with skin conditions like acne. It helps to reduce the related pain and inflammation of conditions like gout and arthritis.
Culinary Uses Of Onion
- Onion bulb is used as vegetable, seasoning and flavoring.
- Bulb is eaten raw or cooked.
- Some cultivars have smaller and hotter bulbs, and are used for making pickles or chutneys.
- In a number of countries, particularly in Asia, pickled onion and garlic bulbs are consumed.
- Leaves are also raw or cooked.
- Flowers are eaten raw and used as a garnish on salads.
- Onions are a staple in Indian cuisine, used as a thickening agent for curries and gravies.
- Sliced onions are battered and deep-fried and served as onion rings in North America.
Traditional Uses Of Onion
- Onion bulb is antiseptic, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, stomachic, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, lithontriptic, antispasmodic, hypotensive and tonic.
- When used regularly in the diet, onions offset tendencies towards angina, arteriosclerosis and heart attack and also useful in preventing oral infection and tooth decay.
- Baked onions are used as a poultice to eliminate pus from sores and warmed onion juice can be used as eardrop to treat earache.
- Fresh onion juice is a very useful first aid treatment for bee and wasp stings, bites, grazes or fungal skin complaints.
- It also aids in the formation of scar tissue on wounds, therefore speeding up the healing process, and has been used as a cosmetic to remove freckles.
- Onion juice scrubbed into the skin is said to encourage the growth of hair and to be a remedy for baldness.
- Bulbs of red onion cultivars are used to make a homeopathic remedy particularly in the treatment of people whose symptoms include running eyes and nose.
- It is beneficial for hypertension, appetite loss, arteriosclerosis, dyspeptic complaints, and tendency to infection, fevers and colds, cough/bronchitis, inflammation of mouth and pharynx and common cold.
4 Interesting Facts About Onion
- The largest onion ever grown weighed 10 lbs. 14 ounces (about 5 kilograms), according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
- Onion water extract is said to the resistance of other plants to diseases and parasites.
- It has been used to polish glass and copperware and to prevent rust on iron.
- A yellow–brown dye is obtained from the outer skin of the bulbs.
Precautions:
- Raw onions may cause irritation to skin, mucus membranes and eyes.
- Eating onions can lead to bad breath and an unpleasant body odor.
Did you know?
Slicing onions makes you cry because when you cut into it, the onion produces a sulfur-based gas. The gas reacts with the water in your eyes and forms sulfuric acid. To rid your eyes of this fiery irritant, your tear ducts work overtime. For no more (or fewer) tears, try moving your face farther away from the onion so the gas disperses before reaching your eyes.
Another suggestion for reducing tears is to first chill the onions for 30 minutes. Then, cut off the top and peel the outer layers leaving the root end intact.
About Onion
Belonging to the allium family, onions are versatile and can be cooked in many ways. Onions has many health benefits and is packed with nutrients. They add flavor to many dishes. They has also been used in traditional medicines since ancient times for its health promoting and curative properties.
Article References:
- https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/onion/
- https://www.reference.com/food/did-onions-originate-c5178d621a1b530a
- https://www.britannica.com/plant/onion-plant
- https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/onion/infos
- https://www.livescience.com/45293-onion-nutrition.html
