What do you know about the onion?
What do you know about the onion?
The onion is a plant belonging to the garlic family, with a distinctive, pungent odor because it contains many sulfurous substances. It has stems below the surface of the soil. Its leaves are tubular, and their function is to store nutrients. From them emerge a spike in its final stage of maturity and growth. This false stem bears at its end a white-colored inflorescence formed. Of several star flowers. A. Onions are used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology. In this article, we will learn, God willing, about the benefits of onions, their types, methods of storing them, and their uses.
Onions: A two-rooted plant that deserves appreciation
What is the nutritional value of onions?
Onions contain many nutrients that are beneficial to health, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. The nutritional value of onions varies depending on their type, size, and cooking method. In general, we can say that 100 grams of raw onions contain the following:
36 calories
1.4 grams of protein
0.1 g of fat
8.6 grams of carbohydrates
1.7 grams of fiber
4.2 grams of sugar
23 mg of vitamin C
0.1 mg of vitamin B6
19 mcg of folic acid
146 mg of potassium
4 mg of sodium
23 mg of calcium
0.2 mg of iron
10 mg of magnesium
What are the health benefits of onions?
Benefits of onions
Onions have many health benefits, as they contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibre. Some of the benefits of onions are:
- Strengthens immunity and protects against infection and inflammation: Onions contain sulfur compounds that act as natural antibiotics, such as allyl cysteine and allyl propyl disulfide. These compounds prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and increase the production of immune cells. Onions also contain vitamin C and zinc, which are important elements for immune health.
- Lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health: Onions contain quercetin, a substance that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This substance helps dilate blood vessels and reduce blood clotting, which leads to lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease. Onions also contain another substance called oregano sulfur, which helps lower the level of cholesterol in the blood.
- It helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of diabetes: Onions contain a substance called inulin, which acts as a soluble fiber. This substance helps slow the absorption of glucose from the stomach into the bloodstream, which stabilizes the blood sugar level and reduces the risk of a sharp increase or decrease in it. Inulin also helps increase the secretion of insulin, which is the hormone responsible for transporting glucose into cells. This helps prevent the buildup of glucose in the blood, which can lead to diabetes.
- It stimulates the secretion of digestive juices and helps in digesting food and preventing bloating and gases: Onions contain a substance called allyl propyl disulfide, which is a substance that stimulates the secretion of digestive juices from the stomach, pancreas, and liver. This juicer helps in digesting proteins, fats and carbohydrates, resulting in improved digestion and nutrient absorption. Allyl propyl disulfide also helps prevent the growth of bacteria that cause bloating and gas in the intestines, which leads to relief of these annoying symptoms.
- It fights cancer thanks to quercetin, which prevents the growth of cancer cells: Onions contain a substance called quercetin, which is a substance that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This substance helps prevent the activity of some enzymes that cause genetic changes in cells, which leads to preventing the growth of cancer cells. Quercetin also helps induce programmed death of cancer cells, which leads to reducing the size of the tumor and its spread. Numerous studies have shown that consuming onions reduces the risk of various types of cancer, such as stomach, colon, breast, and prostate cancer.
- It improves the health of the skin, hair and nails thanks to sulfur, which helps in the formation of collagen: Onions contain a substance called sulfur, which is necessary for the formation of a protein called collagen. This protein is the substance that gives skin, hair and nails their elasticity, strength and health. When sulfur is deficient in the body, it can lead to wrinkles, gray hair, breakage and breakage. Therefore, eating beans helps maintain the beauty and youth of the skin, hair and nails.
- It helps in eliminating toxins and waste from the body thanks to its cleansing property: Onions contain a substance called thiol, which is a substance that acts as a detoxifying substance. This substance helps bind toxins and wastes present in the blood, intestines, liver, and kidneys, and facilitates their removal from the body through urine, feces, or sweat. This helps improve metabolism, strengthen the immune system, and purify the body of impurities
Types of onions
There are more than 500 types of beans in the world, but the most famous are:
- Red onions: They have a dark red color and a strong spicy taste. It is used in salads, soups and pickles. It contains a large amount of anthocyanin, a substance that gives it its red color and carries antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This substance helps protect the body's cells from damage and aging.
- Yellow onions: They have a golden yellow color and a mild sweet taste. It is used for frying, grilling and cooking. It contains a large amount of flavonol, a substance that gives it its yellow color and carries antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. This substance helps prevent the activity of some enzymes that cause genetic changes in cells, which leads to preventing the growth of cancer cells.
- White onions: They have a bright white color and a sharp, spicy taste. It is used in Mexican, Asian and Italian cuisine. It contains a large amount of oregano sulfur, a substance that gives it its tear-inducing smell and has antibacterial and cholesterol-reducing properties. This substance helps kill bacteria that cause infection and inflammation in the body, and helps lower the level of cholesterol in the blood.
- Green onions: They have a light green color and a light, crunchy taste. It is used to decorate and add to dishes. It contains a large amount of chlorophyll, a substance that gives it its green color and has antioxidant properties that strengthen the immune system. This substance helps activate immune cells and increases their ability to fight diseases.
Methods of storing beans
If you want to store beans for a long time, you should follow some guidelines:
- Choose firm, dry bulbs with smooth skins without moisture, cracks or mold.
- Store them in a cool, dry, dark place such as a cupboard, drawer, or basket.
- Keep it away from direct sources of heat, light or ventilation.
- Keep them away from other fruits and vegetables that release ethylene, such as apples, bananas and potatoes, as they speed up the ripening of the bulbs and cause them to lose moisture and flavour.
- Do not peel, cut or break onions before storing them, as this will cause them to lose their juice and become exposed to bacteria and fungi.
- If you want to store peeled or chopped onions, place them in an airtight plastic container or Ziploc bag and keep them in the refrigerator for no more than 10 days.
Ways to use onions
Beans are a versatile ingredient that can be added to various dishes to add flavour, aroma and nutritional value. Some ways to use beans are:
- Jam: Bean jam can be made by cooking chopped beans with sugar, vinegar, and spices until they become golden brown in color and have a semi-liquid consistency. Bean jam can be used as an accompaniment to cheese, meat or bread.
- Soup: Onion soup can be made by cooking chopped onions with butter, flour, broth,...and cheese until it becomes creamy. Bean soup can be served with toasted bread or croutons.
- Salad: Bean salad can be made by mixing chopped onions with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, olives, thyme, oil and vinegar. Bean salad can be served as a snack or side salad.
- Stuffing: Bean filling can be made by mixing chopped onions with crumbled toast, butter, broth, and spices. Bean stuffing can be used to stuff chicken, turkey or vegetables.
Conclusion
Beans are a two-rooted plant used in various fields. It has many health benefits, as it fights diseases and improves appearance. There are many types of beans, each with its own characteristics and uses. Beans must be stored properly to benefit from them for a long time. Beans can be used to prepare delicious and nutritious dishes.
