Onions are one of the respected vegetables of any housewife. After all, it is an indispensable ingredient in many dishes. In addition, it is a product proven over the centuries, eliminating most ailments. Probably, there is no more accessible and effective means to improve the whole body. However, it should be remembered that, despite the fact that onions have useful properties, and there are also contraindications to its use.
History reference
Onions - quite an ancient vegetable plant. The first memories of its cultivation date back to the fifth millennium BC. e. An inscription about him was found on the Egyptian pyramid. Even then people were interested in onions (useful properties and contraindications).
It is believed that his homeland is the countries of the Mediterranean and Asia. He came to us with the Romans, who brought him from campaigns. Thanks to its culinary qualities, onions quickly gained popularity and spread throughout the world.
Rich composition
What is the reason for such glory? Indeed, onions are of interest to this day: features, chemical composition, properties - everything excites consumers. Amazing vegetable allows you to maintain health all year round. After all, it is distinguished by the presence in the composition of an extensive list of useful substances:
- Vitamin PP This component normalizes blood sugar and cholesterol. It perfectly strengthens blood vessels.
- Vitamins of group B. They increase stress resistance, stimulate the functioning of the brain. Normalize metabolism. Able to improve the condition of the skin, nails, hair.
- Vitamin C. Thanks to it, onions increase immunity, protects the body from colds, viral ailments.
- Vitamin E. Gives vegetables antioxidant properties.
- Vitamin N. This is one of the effective means to strengthen nails and hair beauty. In addition, it improves the functioning of the nervous system.
- Cellulose. Provides the body with cleansing from toxins, toxins. Helps remove excess cholesterol. Normalizes bowel function.
- Micro, macrocells. Calcium, sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus, copper, iodine, zinc, fluorine, potassium, sodium, chromium, magnesium, iron, manganese and many others. They help strengthen tooth enamel, bones. Favorably affect the work of the heart and blood vessels. Contribute to the normalization of pressure, regulation of metabolism. Protect the body from anemia. Normalize the functioning of the endocrine system, the brain.
- Flavonoids. These substances prevent the occurrence of cancer cells.
Speaking about onions, useful properties and contraindications, it should be noted that the vegetable is rich in carotene, nicotinic, citric and malic acids.
The energy value
Not many people know that it helps to reduce the weight of onions. Useful properties, composition, calorie content will be considered further.
Vegetable (100 g) contains:
- carbohydrates (8.2 g)
- vegetable proteins (1.4 g),
- fiber
- very few fatty acids (0.2 g).
Calorie content 100 g of the product - 41 kcal. One medium onion contains about 30 kcal.
In addition, onions are rich in organic acids, healthy essential oils. The main sources of calories are proteins and complex carbohydrates. Organic acids, oils have the ability to break down fats, improve digestion. It is thanks to the low calorie content and fat burning beneficial properties that the vegetable contributes to weight loss.
Virus protection
Volatile substances - essential oils and glycosides - determine the therapeutic effect that onions have. The beneficial properties and contraindications discussed below should be known to everyone.
A vegetable is capable of killing most pathogenic microbes, such as:
- tubercle bacillus;
- influenza virus;
- diphtheria bacillus.
Everyone knows how quickly he can clean a room of a variety of pathogenic microbes. Doctors, having studied onions, useful properties and contraindications, came to the conclusion that during epidemics, the vegetable should be ground and placed in a room to get rid of viruses.
ethnoscience
Not only in onion is in demand. The use and contraindications to the use of vegetables since ancient times have interested mankind. It is not surprising that onions are widely used in traditional medicine recipes. It allows you to effectively treat:
- respiratory ailments;
- nasal congestion;
- boils;
- diabetes;
- hypertension
- Toothache
- hemorrhoids;
- whooping cough;
- otitis;
- sprain.
Beneficial features
Many people want to know more about onions (calories, useful properties). Unfortunately, he is also able to bring harm to the body. But more on that later. Now let's touch on the beneficial effects:
- Onions are very popular in cooking. He is a welcome ingredient in almost every dish, which gives a unique, refined taste.
- A large amount of iron contained in the vegetable protects the body from anemia. However, its content does not change even after heat treatment.
- Onions cause appetite and help to improve the secretion of gastric juice.
- Potassium, which is part of the composition, positively affects the work of the heart, blood vessels.
- A vegetable helps cleanse the blood.
- It has a calming effect, stabilizes the nervous system, improves sleep.
- Some sources claim that eating onions is an excellent prevention of recurring heart attacks.
- Everyone knows about the fight against colds of this product.
- Onion masks allow the beauty to shine with lifeless, weakened, dull hair. In addition, they contribute to the improvement of their growth.
- Vitamins, which are rich in onions, prevent vitamin deficiency and increase immunity.
- There is no doubt antibacterial properties. Onions in the human body destroy various germs.
Contraindications
Not all people can eat onions. Useful properties and contraindications are not comparable. Of course, this is a very valuable vegetable, but each person has his own characteristics.
Contraindications include:
- Heart disease. It is not recommended to abuse the vegetable with such pathologies.
- Ailments of the liver.
- Hypertension. Onions can increase blood pressure.
- Asthma. Sometimes a vegetable can trigger an attack.
- Peptic ulcers. Onions cause irritation of the mucous membrane.
- Metabolic disorder. People who have such a problem should not abuse the product, since it provokes the formation of gases, mucus in the body.
The above warnings are for raw onions. In fried, boiled, stewed vegetable is completely harmless.
Another disadvantage of onions is the unpleasant odor that occurs after eating it. If necessary, roasted walnut or parsley allows you to get rid of it. But such methods are effective if a small amount of vegetable is eaten.
Cooking
As you know, the product is used not only in its raw form. How does heat-treated onion affect the body ? Are the benefits and contraindications the same or not?
Not only raw vegetable has healing properties. Fried onions benefit the body. Cooked in butter, it helps to soften coughs and relieves most colds. When baked, it removes excess sugar from the blood. Such an impact is confirmed by the centuries-old experience of folk healers and scientific research of modern scientists.
For people suffering from mucosal diseases, it is heat-treated onion that is suitable for consumption. After all, a raw product, as previously noted, causes an aggravation of gastrointestinal ailments.
Remember that onions, when used properly, help in the fight against many diseases and do no harm to the body. Be healthy!