(Akiit.com) Onions are known as “nature’s antibiotic.” They contain compounds which kill germs, so they function as medicine, while also delivering premium nutrition. Also, they add a lot of flavor to an array of recipes. Today, we’d like to share a lot of information about onions, including their nutritional profile and calorie count, as well as some great ways to enjoy them. We’ll also provide a list of 6 reasons why you should eat more of them every day and night.
Since there are plenty of different types of onions, as well as a range of ways to prepare them, you’ll find that incorporating more of them into your daily diet is simple and straightforward. By giving you the hard facts that you need, we’ll ensure that you’re an onion expert. These vegetables are great for human health, and everyone should know what they must offer.
Onions Are So Good For You
Onions contain a lot of nutrients. A typical onion will be a veritable treasure trove of nutrition, due to its biotin, manganese, copper, vitamin C, fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folic acid, phosphorus and vitamin B1 content.
The calorie count for one medium-sized onion is only 64, so it’s not a high-calorie food.
As well, onions contain Allicin, which is known for its antibacterial properties. Therefore, so many people turn to onions when they are ill or when they want to prevent illnesses. Garlic also contains Allicin, and this compound is powerful protection against germs.
Choose Your Favorite Onion
Onions come in a range of varieties, some of which are rather exotic and fun to try, such as the Italian heirloom onion known as the Bianco di Maggio. While most of us are more familiar with yellow onions, green onions, shallots and pearl onions, there is certainly no shortage of onion varieties to test out in the kitchen.
If you want a spicier onion which adds a lot of zest and spice to sauces, be sure to check out Owas. These onions are shaped like teardrops, and they deliver plenty of punch. As well, Thai shallots 
bring tons of flavor to pastes made from spices. A fine choice for grilling is the Tropea Lunge, which is Italian and smells fantastic when it’s grilled up and served.
Overall, there are more than thirty onion varieties, so you’ll have choices galore. It’s fun to experiment, and therefore we encourage you to try new onions and see which ones are most appealing to your palate.
How Onions Benefit Human Health
We’ve already shared the nutritional properties of onions and discussed their germ-killing benefits. Now, let’s talk more about how they help people to feel great. Onions contain phytochemicals which give the immune system more power. As well, the vitamin C content in onions supports a healthy immune system.
Also, onions are a fine source of chromium, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Known for their ability to minimize or stop inflammation, as well as their ability to fight infections, onions are a superfood, and they are typically very affordable.
Now that we’ve covered the basics let’s discuss 6 reasons why you should be eating more onion, not less…
Raw Onion Decreases LDL Cholesterol
Cholesterol is linked to heart problems. When you consume raw onions regularly, you’ll find that they decrease the production of the type of cholesterol known as LDL. LDL is not good for the human body. In fact, it’s nickname is “bad cholesterol.” If you want to protect your health for the future and live to a ripe old age, eating raw onions will boost the odds of longevity, by decreasing bad cholesterol levels which threaten your health.
The right food is good medicine, and raw onions fall into this category. If you eat them often enough, you may find that your LDL test results become a lot more positive. In fact, some people choose this form of natural medicine, rather than relying on lab-created medications which may cause side effects. Also, because raw onion is such an affordable way to lower LDL levels, it’s something that everyone can access and consume.
Green Onion Tops are Loaded with Vitamin A
Vitamin A is important for good skin and good eyesight. It’s something that you’ll access when you eat the tasty green stems of green onions. Since green onion stems are also delicious, it’s easy to eat them raw or chop them up and add them to recipes. If you want to access the healthy Vitamin A in green onions, why not make a nice stir-fry. Add cubed, extra-firm tofu to a wok and stir-fry it in a bit of olive oil, pepper, and soy sauce.
Chop up two green onions, plus their stems, and then add them to the wok. After you’ve cooked these ingredients for a few minutes, add your favorite chopped vegetables. Serve over rice or noodles. Another option is to chop up green onions and their stems and add them to tuna salads or lettuce or Kale salads. Whether you eat them raw or cooked, you’ll find that they boost your vitamin A levels.
Onions Help Prevent Cancer
Onions contain Quercetin. This natural compound is renowned for its cancer-preventing benefits. Since hard science backs up the cancer-fighting benefits of Quercetin, eating onions on a regular basis will be an excellent way to access superb protection against this disease. Cancer is a menace, and anything that we can do to prevent is so beneficial. Eating onions will give you protection. If you are committed to preventing cancer, making onions a regular part of your diet should be one important part of your cancer prevention routine.
Onions Help People to Get Well
If you have a cold or flu, adding some onion to your diet will allow you to access Allicin, which fights infections. The Allicin content in onions is probably the most famous property of these veggies. A lot of people realize that onions will help them to get well faster when they are ill, or stop them from developing illnesses in the first place. If you aren’t feeling good, consider making a chicken soup from scratch which contains plenty of chopped onions. This healthful meal will soothe you and fill your body with germ-fighting agents that are all-natural and drug-free.
Onions Power Up the Immune System
Our immune systems are important. When our immune systems function at optimal levels, we have a much better chance of staying well and feeling good. The vitamin C content in onions supports optimal immune system function. Vitamin C is very powerful in general and getting good levels of this vital vitamin via eating onions will be a smart way to build a healthier body. Whether you eat them raw or cooked, you’ll find that onions deliver superb benefits. While raw is probably the best way to access all the immune system-strengthening power of onions, as veggies tend to lose a few nutrients during cooking, you’ll still access vitamin C when you consume cooked onions.
You’ll Get the Chromium That You Need
Chromium is something that bodybuilders prize and try to get via supplements and their diets. They know that getting enough chromium helps them to feel more energetic and to perform better when they train. If you’re interested in feeling more energized and powering through your workouts, you’ll find that adding more onions to your diet is really smart. These veggies do contain chromium, so you don’t need to invest in expensive bodybuilding supplements to access their advantages. In general, it’s better to get what you need from healthy food. Since onions are loaded with beneficial properties, they offer tons of advantages to people who eat them.
How to Enjoy Onions
You probably have a few recipes in your rotation which include onions. For example, red sauces for pasta often contain onions and garlic. As well, certain dishes, such as Stroganoffs and stews, frequently contain onions. The key to adding more onions to your diet is using your typical recipes and adjusting them to include onions if they don’t currently call for onions. For example, if you’re not used to putting onions in a stir-fry, be sure to add them. Green onions are great for this purpose. As well, if you’re making turkey burgers or hamburgers, add a thick slice of grilled or raw onion, as well as your preferred condiments. Steaks taste great when topped with onions which have been sautéed until they are golden and caramelized.
There are a million ways to enjoy onions. If you love experimenting with world cuisine, you’ll find that Libyan and sub-continental Asian cuisine often features plenty of onions. The truth is that Libyans eat over sixty pounds of onions each, per year. Most world cuisines have dishes which gain spice and texture from onions. Exploring global recipes which allow you to experience onions in brand-new ways will be a fun culinary adventure, and it will also benefit your health.
Hopefully, our detailed guide has helped you to understand just how powerful onions are as health-boosting veggies. They are tasty, they deliver tons of truly amazing benefits to those who consume them, and they usually aren’t expensive. Some “superfoods,” such as Kale, tend to get pricey because they are trendy and because it’s harder to produce them at farms. Onions are hardy, they grow well, even when soil conditions are less than ideal, and it’s possible to grow them on your own property without making too much of an effort. As well, a typical onion provides a lot of spice. Bigger onions offer a great deal of value, as a larger onion may be big enough to make two or three meals with, or even more. The smallest onions add a unique taste and the most exotic varieties are fun to try in the kitchen.
Now that you understand the importance of onions, which are one of nature’s perfect foods, you’ll be ready to move forward and eat more of them. It’s good to create a balance, by eating them raw sometimes and cooking them sometimes. The goodness of onions will help you to feel your best. As well, if you have kids, you’ll find that giving them dishes with onions on a regular basis may help them avoid the flu and colds which are always going around at schools and playgroups.
There’s no downside to eating onions. They are low in calories, and they are loaded with vitamins and other beneficial compounds. If onions are too pungent for you, consider sautéing them in a bit of butter until they become translucent. This type of cooking technique mellows and softens the taste of onions. While you shouldn’t use a lot of butter, just a teaspoon should be enough to sauté a medium-sized onion.
Shop for Onions Today
You deserve premium nutrition, and onions will provide it. Therefore, we encourage you to shop for onions today. Whether you choose yellow onions, shallots, green onions or some of the more exotic onion varieties, you’ll find that they are easy to add to almost anything, except perhaps dessert. French Onion Soup is a great way to get lots of onions into your diet, and there is a host of recipes available online, for no charge. Once you’ve tried a wonderful homemade French Onion Soup, you’ll see just how great onions can taste.
There are also onion supplements. We think onions are very affordable and easy to use, so you shouldn’t need to rely on an onion supplement to feel good. It’s better to get the benefits of onions from your diet. However, you may turn to a supplement if you don’t enjoy the taste of onions, or find it hard to eat them on a regular basis. Now that you have the inside scoop on 6 reasons why you should be eating more onion not less, you’ll be ready to enjoy these delicious veggies.
Columnist; Karen Jacobs
Official website; http://www.positivehealthwellness.com