Onions are a common and ordinary vegetable in daily life, and they have many health benefits. The plant antimicrobial substances in onions not only stimulate appetite and aid digestion, but also have expectorant, diuretic, sudorific, cold prevention, and antibacterial effects due to their stimulation of the secretion of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, and sweat glands. Onions also have a hypoglycemic effect because they contain organic compounds similar to the hypoglycemic drug metformin and can generate the powerful diuretic compound quercetin in the human body. Consuming 25-50 grams of onions per meal can effectively lower blood sugar and promote diuresis in diabetic patients.
1. Onions contain plant antimicrobial substances such as allicin, which gives them strong antimicrobial abilities.
2. Onions have the ability to dispel wind and cold. This is because the bulbs and leaves of onions contain a volatile oil called allyl sulfide, which has a pungent taste. This substance can resist cold, fight against influenza viruses, and has a strong antibacterial effect.
3. Onions are currently the only known source of prostaglandin A. Prostaglandin A can dilate blood vessels, reduce blood viscosity, lower blood pressure, increase peripheral blood flow, prevent thrombosis, counteract the effects of pressor substances such as catecholamines in the body, promote the excretion of sodium salt, and thus lower blood pressure. Regular consumption of onions has a beneficial effect on hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
4. Onions contain a substance called quercetin, which is one of the most effective natural anticancer agents known. It can inhibit the occurrence of biochemical mechanisms in the body and control the growth of cancer cells, thus having a preventive and anti-cancer effect.
5. The trace element selenium in onions is a strong antioxidant that can eliminate free radicals in the body, enhance cell vitality and metabolism, and has anti-cancer and anti-aging effects.
6. Onions are rich in nutrients and have a pungent odor. They can stimulate the secretion of the stomach, intestines, and digestive glands, improve appetite, promote digestion, and do not contain fat. The essential oils in onions contain a mixture of sulfur compounds that can lower cholesterol, making them suitable for treating indigestion, loss of appetite, and food stagnation.
7. Onions also contain a certain amount of calcium. In recent years, Swiss scientists have found that regular onion consumption can improve bone density and help prevent and treat osteoporosis.
8. Onions have a refreshing effect. They can help cells better utilize glucose, while lowering blood sugar and providing thermal energy to brain cells. They are a recommended vegetable for diabetes and debilitated patients.
