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Bulbs full of health

Apart from their culinary use, onions have therapeutic properties

Can you imagine a life without onions? An important ingredient in various dishes around the world, onions have become the second most important crop after tomato. Scientifically, known as Allium cepa , onion is a white or red paper thin skinned bulb with an intense flavour. The word onion comes from the Latin word ‘unin’ for single or one as the plant produces a single bulb with many separate concentrically arranged layers. Since time immemorial, onions have been revered not only for their culinary use, but also for their therapeutic properties. Onions contain quercertin, a flavoroid (a category of antioxidant compounds). Antioxidants help slow or delay the oxidative damage to cells and tissues of the body. Researches have found that quercertin helps eliminate free radicals in the body, inhibit, low density lipoprotein oxidation and protect and regenerate Vitamin E in the body. Another research at Agricultural University in Washington revealed that daily consumption of onions may result in increased accumulation of quercertin in the blood. Onion consumption has also the potential to decrease the incidence of Osteoporosis. Onions may be especially beneficial to women who are at risk for osteoporosis after menopause. Onions also liquefy phlegm.

Due to its chromium content the regular consumption of onions has been proved to lower high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. WHO supports the use of onions for the treatment of poor appetite.

CELINE SUNNY

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