The reasons why you want onions: what is enough for the body

Much has been said about the benefits of onions, but not everyone knows exactly how it affects different organs and systems in the human body. With some diseases, this product can become a panacea, with others it can be harmful. There are restrictions on the use of this product, but sometimes the body itself requires it.

How to properly include it in the diet and what nuances should be taken into account in this case - you will learn from our article.

Why do you want onions

The human body is a complex interconnected system. She herself is able to suggest what she needs for proper functioning. Sometimes a strong desire to eat this or that product acts as a signal.

Interesting. Onions were first cultivated back in the Bronze Age. The modern name appeared thanks to K. Linnaeus. He called the vegetable the Celtic word "all", which translates as "hot".

By listening to your body, you can understand the reasons for such desires. If you really want onions, then there is a deficiency of vitamins and minerals.

Cravings for this product may indicate a viral attack, because it is a powerful weapon in the fight against infectious diseases... The need to eat onions also arises in diseases of the respiratory system, when a latent infection attacks the body, and there is no adequate treatment.

With the onset of the cold season, the frequency of consumption of this vegetable increases.... The number of viral diseases is growing, which means that the body needs protection. The immune system signals this to the brain - this is how unexpected taste preferences are formed.

What the body lacks

The need for regular consumption of onions may indicate a lack of such vitamins and minerals:

1. Vitamin C... Every day, 200 to 500 mg should be supplied to the human body along with food.
2. Iron... You can verify this if you take a blood test. Not only onions, but also red meat, eggs, dried apricots, nuts, pomegranates, pumpkin seeds will help fill the shortage.
3. Selenium... An important element of metabolic processes, it is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid and pancreas. Additional products for replenishment - seafood, nuts, legumes.
4. B vitamins (B1, B6 and B9). The consequence of deficiency is a violation of metabolic processes and the qualitative composition of blood, the development of anemia. The lack of this group of vitamins affects the condition of the hair, nails and skin, and the functioning of the nervous system.
5. Potassium... Symptoms of deficiency are problems with the heartbeat, cramps and spasms, increased fatigue, and regular constipation.
6. Sulfur... This trace mineral is responsible for beauty. When this element is not enough, the smoothness and elasticity of the skin is lost, the shine of the hair disappears, and it becomes coarse.

Composition and useful properties of white and red onions

White and red onions differ in taste: the first one is sweeter. A purple colored vegetable is beneficial for diabetes mellitus, as it can lower blood sugar. White reduces cholesterol levels.

The varieties have slight differences by chemical composition and useful properties.

White onions contain vitamins and minerals (per 100 g):

• ascorbic acid - 10 mg;
• vitamin E - 0.2 mg;
• thiamine - 0.5 mg;
• riboflavin - 0.02 mg;
• pyridoxine - 0.1 mg;
• pantothenic acid - 0.1 mg;
• folic acid - 9 mg;
• nicotinic acid - 0.5 mg;
• phosphorus - 58 mg;
• sulfur - 65 mg;
• calcium - 31 mg;
• magnesium - 14 mg.

White onions are good for their high iron content, therefore, it is recommended to use it for anemia to increase hemoglobin. It stimulates the production of insulin, normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and reduces harmful cholesterol. Acts as an antiseptic. The antibacterial effect is due to the content of phytoncides. Accelerates the growth of hair follicles with alopecia.

Red onions contain (per 100 g):

• ascorbic acid - 10 mg;
• thiamine - 0.05 mg;
• pyridoxine - 0.1 mg;
• riboflavin - 0.1 mg;
• vitamin E - 0.2 mg;
• folic acid - 9 mg;
• chromium - 42 mg;
• zinc - 0.95 mg;
• magnesium - 14 mg;
• calcium - 31 mg;
• iron - 0.8 mg;
• sulfur - 65 mg.

Due to the presence of B vitamins, red onion provides good conduction of nerve fibers. The antiseptic effect helps fight colds.

Vitamin E stimulates Hair Growth and improves the structure of the skin. Sulfur reduces the level of intoxication in the body, and carotene has an antihistamine effect. Increased acidity in the stomach leads to rapid digestion of food.

Benefits for men, women and children

For men, onions are useful in that they can have a beneficial effect on potency, enhance sexual function.

Women it is recommended to eat onions due to the high content of folic acid... This component is beneficial for the reproductive system, especially in preparation for pregnancy. Vitamin C in the composition has a positive effect on the condition of the hair.

Attention! This vegetable with a specific smell is used to prepare masks, after which the curls become shiny and strong, dandruff disappears. This cosmetic procedure stimulates the growth of new hair.

A special condition of a woman is pregnancy... Onions should be eaten with caution during this period. A positive effect can be in the form of strengthening the immune system and replenishing the lack of vitamins, protecting against infectious diseases. Folic acid in the composition is involved in the formation of the fetal neural tube. Pregnant women who often eat onions suffer less from constipation.

Caution must be observed due to the property of onions to irritate the gastric mucosa and gallbladder, provoke heartburn, gastritis and pancreatitis.

Onions are introduced into the diet of children from eight months, but only thermally processed. When breastfeeding a woman is better off giving it up, because this can affect the taste of milk - babies are very sensitive to it.

Important! It is better not to give fresh onions to children under two years old due to the lack of formation of the digestive system.

The harsh taste of a raw vegetable is not pleasant to kids, so it is better to include it in small quantities in ready-made dishes: soups, vegetable purees, salads. To soften the taste, it is sliced ​​and sprinkled with salt, and after a few minutes a small amount of lemon juice is added.

Influence on different organs and body systems

The harmful effects of a vegetable on microorganisms have mixed consequences.... On the one hand, it helps suppress pathogenic microflora and fight infections, on the other hand, beneficial microflora can also suffer. Onions have a beneficial effect on the hematopoietic function, stimulates metabolic processes, removes excess fluid from the body.

Effects on the liver

Onions remove toxins from the liver and gallbladder... To achieve this effect, it is recommended to eat it fresh and drink plenty of fluids. Heat treatment can be carried out if necessary.

Effects on the brain

Regular consumption of onions delays the aging process of the brain a person, improves memory and emotional state of a person. All thanks to the high content of sulfur compounds. In addition, there is a minor hypnotic effect.

A heart

Onions are good for the cardiovascular system... It contains a lot of potassium and B vitamins, which are involved in the formation of blood vessels and the process of hematopoiesis. It is useful to use it for hypertension.

For various diseases

Onions relieve osteoporosis patients due to the calcium content. It is used to prevent gout, as it removes uric acid.

Diabetes

For diabetics of the first and second types, onions are indispensable... Its healing properties are due to the ability to lower blood sugar levels (which is facilitated by vitamin PP in the composition). For insulin dependent patients, regular consumption of fresh or heat-treated vegetables will reduce the dose of the drug. To get the effect, you need to eat onions regularly.

Read also:

Is it possible to eat onions with pancreatitis

Is it possible to eat onions with gastritis

Slimming

Per process slimming these properties of the product meet:

• stimulating the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
• acceleration of metabolic processes;
• lowering cholesterol levels;
• normalization of water-salt balance;
• diuretic and choleretic action;
• increased insulin production.

Onions do not burn fat. There is no food that destroys fat cells. But this vegetable contains many substances involved in the decay process... Low calorie content (41 kcal per 100 g) makes it possible to consume it daily.

Consumption rates per day

Despite the large amount of vitamins, only moderate doses of the product are beneficial.... To a healthy person eat enough 100 g of fresh onions per day.

The rate of consumption of a thermally processed product - 200 g... In a fried form, it is recommended to include in the diet no more than 100 g of a vegetable, because its calorie content increases significantly due to the addition of oil. Pickled - up to two onions a day.

In what form is it better to eat

Onions are best eaten raw, so they retain all their benefits.... During cooking, most of the vitamins are lost - in particular, vitamin C. But still, after heat treatment, the vegetable also has useful properties for the body.

Contraindications and possible harm

Together with the benefits, the product can cause harm:

1. Irritant effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, which can provoke an increase in acidity, exacerbation of gastritis, gastric ulcer. Raw onions should not be eaten by people suffering from stomach diseases, especially during periods of their exacerbation.
2. Excessive consumption of fresh food can disrupt the beneficial intestinal microflora and suppress the immune system.
3. Many dietary fibers, acids and essential oils in the composition have an exciting effect on the intestines, stimulate peristalsis, as a result of which they can cause bloating, diarrhea or colic.
4. Due to the irritating effect on the mucous onions, it is forbidden to eat with pancreatitis, especially in the acute stage.
5. An excess of the product in the diet can provoke an attack of bronchial asthma or increase blood pressure, disrupt the heart rhythm.
6. Causes drowsiness.

Conclusion

Onions are an undeniably healthy product. It is rich in vitamins and microelements, has a positive effect on many processes in the body, and can prevent a significant number of diseases.

But it should be eaten carefully, as it can be harmful, especially with an exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system. Eat onions in limited quantities, and then the benefits will be evident.