Onions are in the same family as the garlic, chives, leeks, and scallions. People have cultivated allium vegetables such as these for many centuries due to their potent flavor, health benefits, and characteristics.
Moreover, onions come in different shapes, sizes, flavor, and color. The most common ones are the yellow, red and white onions. In addition, their different tastes can range from spicy to pungent and sharp depending on the season.
Furthermore, around the world, more than 105 billion pounds of onions are harvested every year. But, China is the biggest producer of all the countries, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN ( FAO).
The Incredible Health Benefits of Eating Onions
Onions can have a huge amount of beneficial properties which can be helpful for our health. Firstly, they can be able to manage the blood sugar levels because of the chromium they contain. Furthermore, they contain a potent compound called quercetin.
This compound might be beneficial for preventing cancer. Plus, onions contain vitamin C and phytochemicals that can boost the immune system and make us less prone to diseases. But, if you enjoy raw onions, know that eating them raw is the best choice you could make.
The reason for this is because the raw onion can help keep your heart healthy and decrease the production of the bad cholesterol. On top of that, they can reduce the risk of developing gastric ulcers because they can scavenge the free radicals.
Moreover, onions are rich in vitamin A, and can often help ease the burning sensation or pain from a bee sting. Not to even mention that onions can also heal infections and reduce inflammation. No wonder why so many people have cultivated onions for centuries.
The Healthiest Type of Onions
According to researchers from Cornell who studied 11 different onion varieties, they found out that the yellow onions and the shallots contain the most flavonoids and phenolic contents, making them the healthiest onions in the world.
The best way to enjoy them is to consume them raw and thinly slice them. If you want to spice things up, you can surely use some freshly squeezed lemon juice and a bit of salt. Moreover, you can add some cilantro leaves to give the onions an even more dramatic taste and fragrance.
With it, your dinner or lunch is now complete.
How to Properly Peel Onions?
When you try to peel the onion, try not to ‘’overpeal’’ it.
It is important that you carefully remove the outer skin without completely removing the first layer of the onion. The reason for this is because of the first layer of the onion, or the skin contains the most nutrients including flavonoids.
Since the flavonoids are in the first layer of the onion, it is important to peel the skin slowly. This way you can maximize the health benefits of this vegetable without ruining it. Thus, even the tiniest amount of ripped layer can cause the loss of flavonoids.
But, people try to avoid this process, since they don’t want to be crying. Therefore, they try to peel the skin of the onion as fast as possible and lose health benefits in the process.
How to Prepare Different Types of Onions
Onions come in different shapes and sizes, including varieties. But, you shouldn’t prepare them all the same way. Instead, you should try squeezing every nutritional and healthy benefit they can offer. So, here are some ways you can prepare different types of onions.
Yellow Onion
These onions are very sweet, juicy, crispy, and have a mild flavor. If you love the sweet flavor, you should get these onions during March and September, because after August they will be mild and fresh. To prepare them, you have to cook them lightly, grill or eat them raw.
But be careful not to overcook them.
Red Onion
Red onions have become more popular this past decade since a lot of people use them in sandwiches and salads. They have the sweetest taste during March and September, so you should try purchasing them then so that you can get the most flavorful red onions.
Also, you can eat them raw or lightly cooked.
White Onion
The most common onion is the white onion. People massively produce it worldwide and use it in potato salads, meals, sauces, etc. The freshest white onions are available from March to August. You can either cook them or eat them raw.
Nutrition Facts
Onions have potent medicinal properties. Also, they have possible health benefits like reducing the chance of developing heart disease, obesity, and cancer. Moreover, onions contain the most powerful sulfuric compounds and quercetin as well.
This makes the onions beneficial for preventing cancer, one of the deadliest diseases in the world. Also, this vegetable is full of mineral components such as selenium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin C, B6, and dietary fiber.
So, make sure to consume onions regularly. Did you like this post? If you did, make sure to share it with friends and family and leave us a comment.
