The benefits and harms of red onions for the human body
Red onion is a unique product of its kind with a rich chemical composition and a set of useful properties. It is attractive in appearance, has a sweet, pleasant taste.
Yalta onion is a product of the selection work of Crimean engineers. It is devoid of the pungency and bitterness inherent in an ordinary turnip, so it is given even to children. In this article, we will talk about the benefits and dangers of red onions, how to use them in traditional medicine and cooking.
The content of the article
Features of red onions and their chemical composition
Red onion - a kind of familiar turnip with yellow husk and white pulp. The bulb is covered with a rich pomegranate or reddish-purple hull. The pulp is colored lilac.
Reference. After the founding of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden in 1811, by order of Emperor Alexander I, its collection was replenished with several new species that became the progenitors of the “Crimean” (“Yalta”) sweet onion. There are no burning substances in it that give a recognizable pungent aroma and bitterness.
On the territory of Eurasia, various varieties, but only Yalta has a pleasant sweet taste and juiciness. The bulb consists of seven layers, the inside is painted white.
The vegetable contains phytoncides - special substances that suppress the development of pathogenic microflora.
The table shows the chemical composition of red onions per 100 g.
Name | Content | Norm |
---|---|---|
Beta carotene | 0.001 mg | 5 mg |
Vitamin B4 | 5.5 mg | 500 mg |
Vitamin B5 | 0.1 mg | 5 mg |
Vitamin B6 | 0.1 mg | 2 mg |
Vitamin B9 | 23 μg | 400 mcg |
Vitamin C | 10 mg | 90 mg |
Vitamin E | 0.2 mg | 15 mg |
Vitamin H | 0.9 μg | 50 mcg |
Vitamin K | 0.3 μg | 120 mcg |
Potassium | 119 mg | 2500 mg |
Calcium | 20 mg | 1000 mg |
Silicon | 5 mg | 30 mg |
Magnesium | 9 mg | 400 mg |
Sodium | 8 mg | 1300 mg |
Sulfur | 65 mg | 1000 mg |
Phosphorus | 27 mg | 800 mg |
Chlorine | 25 mg | 2300 mg |
Aluminum | 400 mcg | — |
Boron | 200 mcg | — |
Iron | 0.8 mg | 18 mg |
Iodine | 3 μg | 150 mcg |
Cobalt | 5 μg | 10 mcg |
Manganese | 0.1 mg | 2 mg |
Copper | 85 mcg | 1000 mcg |
Nickel | 3 μg | — |
Rubidium | 476 μg | — |
Selenium | 0.5 μg | 55 mcg |
Fluorine | 31 mcg | 4000 mcg |
Chromium | 2 μg | 50 mcg |
Zinc | 0.85 mg | 12 mg |
KBZHU
Nutritional value of the product per 100 g:
- calorie content - 32 kcal;
- proteins - 0.8 g;
- fats - 0 g;
- carbohydrates - 7.6 g;
- fiber - 0.9 g;
- water - 91.24 g.
Useful properties for the body
Red onion has the following beneficial properties:
- Freshly squeezed juice has an antiseptic effect on the skin. When taken orally, it kills most bacteria, viruses and fungi known to science.
- Regular consumption of the product regulates the acidity of the stomach, stimulates the work of the entire digestive tract.
- The vegetable speeds up metabolic processes in the body, significantly improves health, gives a boost of energy. The normalization of metabolism stimulates weight loss.
- Onion juice dilates blood vessels, improves blood circulation. This property is often used to treat insufficient blood supply to the skin, accelerate hair growth and fill the skin with moisture.
- The juice has an anthelmintic effect - it creates a destructive environment for parasites.
- The product reduces the risk of developing cancerous tumors in the stomach, prevents tissue atrophy. It is enough to eat one medium onion daily.
- With frequent use, excess nitrogen is removed, the risk of vascular occlusion, the development of atherosclerosis, and impaired blood circulation is reduced.
- Fresh juice loosens the viscous mucus in the bronchi and lungs.This property is beneficial for smokers. Phytoncides reduce the negative effect of cigarette smoke, the risk of developing cancer of the larynx and lungs, and reduce the frequency of coughing attacks.
- The chromium contained in onion stimulates the production of insulin in the pancreas, therefore it is recommended for people with diabetes.
- The active substances anthocyanin and quercetin have a tonic effect, support immunity, prevent the accumulation of fluid in tissues, and have an anti-allergic effect.
- Red onions are rich in sulfur, which has a beneficial effect on the work of the heart muscle, and controls the composition of the blood. With the participation of sulfur, amino acids are synthesized, which help the general cleansing of the body. It is necessary for the body to form connective and cartilaginous tissues.
Red onions contain 20% of the daily value of vitamin C, 8-11% - fiber, folate and manganese.
For men
Red onions are good for the male reproductive system. Regular use of the product restores testosterone production, preserves male strength, increases libido, increases sperm motility, and prevents premature death of hair follicles.
Attention! The beneficial effect on the body is noticeable after a month of consuming the vegetable.
For women
Red onion also has a positive effect on women's health: it eliminates sluggish inflammation in the pelvic organs, prevents the formation of fibroids and cysts, and normalizes hormones and the menstrual cycle.
Doctors recommend using it during pregnancy if there are no contraindications. The product replenishes the reserves of vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, which is necessary for the normal development of the fetal neural tube. Onions are good for pregnant women during the cold season due to their high content of ascorbic acid.
During lactation, it is better to refuse to use the product due to a change in the taste of milk and the presence of substances that cause intestinal colic. It is returned to the diet when the child is six months old. By this time, his digestive system will get stronger.
For kids
Why is red useful? onions for a child's body? Pediatricians recommend using it during the period of milk teeth change, since it helps the formation of strong bone tissue.
Onions increase the body's defenses at peak activity viral infections improves the adaptive abilities of the body, which is especially important when you first visit kindergarten or school. The product helps to cope with stress and calms the child's nervous system.
Vegetable shown allergy sufferers, since it significantly reduces the negative impact of external stimuli on the body. Frequent use of the product reduces the frequency of acute allergic attacks, and in some cases allows you to completely eliminate the pathology.
In what form is it and how much
Nutritionists advise eating red onions raw, because this is the only way the body will receive the necessary portion of nutrients. Unfortunately, during heat treatment, the product loses most of its vitamin C. But this does not mean that it cannot be fried, to cook or bake. By shortening the processing time, it will be possible to retain most of the vitamins and minerals.
The product goes well with any vegetables, meat, poultry, fish and cereals.
Healthy people are advised to eat no more than 100 g of raw red onions at one meal.
Cooking applications
Professional culinary experts prefer red onions for their attractive appearance and pleasant sweet taste. Dishes with it look presentable and elegant. Such onions are added to vegetable salads, snacks, pizza, and stews. Grilled red onions are especially delicious.
We offer recipes for interesting salads with the addition of this product.
Glekhurad salad
The main highlight of this dish is the nut sauce.
Ingredients:
- bell pepper - 2 pcs.;
- tomatoes - 3 pcs.;
- cucumbers - 2 pcs.;
- radish - 5-6 pcs.;
- red "Yalta" onion - 1 pc .;
- garlic - two cloves;
- walnuts - 30-50 g;
- wine vinegar - 1 tbsp. l .;
- extra virgin olive oil - 2 tbsp l .;
- dill - a bunch;
- salt, black pepper - to taste.
Preparation:
- Wash the peppers, peel and cut into strips.
- Cut the tomatoes and cucumbers into large slices.
- Cut the radish into strips.
- Peel the onion and cut into half rings.
- Chop the dill with a sharp knife.
- Grind the nuts into small crumbs, mix with oil and vinegar. Add minced garlic and chopped herbs. To stir thoroughly.
- Combine vegetables in a deep bowl, season with salt and pepper and season with peanut sauce. Leave to stand in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
Pomegranate salad
This fresh, juicy and aromatic dish will perfectly complement red meat cooked in the oven or over the fire.
Ingredients:
- red onion - 2 pcs.;
- pomegranate (large) - 1 pc.;
- sumac - 1 tsp;
- salt to taste.
Preparation:
- Wash the pomegranate, remove the grains. Squeeze the juice out of half.
- Peel the onion and cut into rings. Soak in salted water for 10-15 minutes, put on a sieve, let the water drain.
- In a deep bowl combine the onions, pomegranate seeds, add salt, sumac and season with juice. Stir and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
Sumakh (sumak) is an oriental wine-colored spice with a sour taste and a slight astringent effect, without a pronounced aroma. It is made from red berries growing on a bush, otherwise called "vinegar tree".
Used in traditional medicine for the treatment and prevention of diseases
Official medicine does not deny, but, on the contrary, confirms the beneficial effect of red onions on the human body. Doctors recommend using it as an adjunctive therapy for colds, alopecia, fluid retention, prostatitis, hypertension, constipation, and liver disease.
Disease | Treatment |
---|---|
Hypertension |
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Fluid retention |
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Diabetes |
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Liver dysfunction |
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Constipation |
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Prostatitis and dropsy |
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Mastitis |
|
Helminthiasis |
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Fungal skin lesions | Sore spots are lubricated with onion juice until the signs of the disease completely disappear. |
Joint pain and sprains |
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Purulent wounds, abscesses | Wrap gruel from baked onions in gauze or cotton cloth.Apply to sore spots until complete recovery. |
Alopecia | Rub onion juice into the scalp 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is 10 days. |
Harm and contraindications
Red onions also have negative properties. The juice has an irritating effect on the digestive tract, so the product is prohibited to use for stomach and duodenal ulcers, high acidity and pancreatitis. Onions are excluded from the diet for kidney disease and lactation.
With exacerbation of skin diseases, it is unacceptable for onion juice to enter the affected areas.
Conclusion
Red onion is a type of onion. It is characterized by a rich chemical composition, with regular use, has a beneficial effect on human health. The product normalizes the state of the body in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, genitourinary system, improves reproductive function, normalizes hormonal levels, increases sperm motility, and helps fight viruses, fungi and bacteria.
Onions are widely used in folk medicine and cooking. It goes well with vegetables, meat, fish and cereals. Red onions are devoid of the pungency and bitterness familiar to onions, therefore they are eaten fresh, without preliminary processing.