I used to consider it a “lower quality” vegetable. Now I know that it's all health on a plate

Onion is a vegetable that we use quite often in the kitchen – it can be added to salads, soups, main courses, but usually we treat it only as an addition to dishes to give them more flavor. However, we do not think about it in health terms, which is a mistake, because it is a real treasure trove of vitamins. Additionally, onion is cheap and we can use its valuable properties all year round.

What are the beneficial properties of onion?

Onion has a beneficial effect on our body, among other things, due to its antioxidant content. These are compounds that inhibit the oxidation process, which leads to cell damage, which contributes to the development of many diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, quercetin, which is contained in onions (mainly red), is an antioxidant and neutralizes the effects of free radicals. This vegetable also has properties that lower sugar and blood pressure levels. We also cannot forget about its antibacterial effect.

Onion may also have anti-cancer properties – regular consumption of this vegetable may positively contribute to our health in this regard. Research shows that this applies especially to stomach and colon cancer, but also to the mouth and throat. For example, the results of a study published in the “Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology” show that the risk of developing colorectal cancer was 79 percent lower in people who ate large amounts of onion compared to the group with the lowest consumption of this vegetable. Additionally, eating onions is also recommended for people struggling with diabetes. Thanks to quartzette and its high chromium content, eating it may influence the regulation of blood glucose. Onion is also good for digestion and is recommended for colds.

How to eat onion to make it the healthiest?

First of all, remember to eat onion regularly – only then you will be able to see the results. If you only eat the onion once, you cannot expect any positive effects, apart from the taste. It is also worth including different types of onions in your diet – then you will be able to get the best from each of them.

To enjoy as many health benefits as possible from eating onions, it is worth consuming them in raw or minimally processed form. Raw onion contains the most vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help improve your health. To make the most of the health properties of onion, it is worth adding it to sandwiches and salads. You can also eat it marinated or add it to dishes in the last minutes of cooking to preserve as many nutrients as possible. Be sure to also check how to store onions. You can also prepare onion syrup, which is irreplaceable in the fight against cough and cold.