Overview
Red onions, also known as purple onions, come with purplish red skin and white flesh tinged with red. They are medium to large in size with a mild to sweet flavorand are often eaten raw, grilled or lightly cooked with other foods, or added as color to salads. Their redness tends to disappear when cooked. Red onions belong to the lily family. Though we use them as spices to our food, red onions have a great deal of health benefits besides adding oodles of taste to the food.
1. Improved Immunity
The photochemical in onions aid the function of vitamin C hence help to improve the body’s ability to fight infections. This is important in boosting the body’s immunity.
2. Blood sugar control
Onions play a very important role in blood sugar regulation owing to the fact that they contain a mineral component known as chromium.
3. Fighting Inflammation
Red onions have since time immemorial been used to treat inflammations and infections as well.
4. Healthy heart
Raw slices of red onions are actually good for your heart. This is because they encourage production of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) which minimizes risk of heart diseases like heart attack and stroke. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) on the other hand leads to heart problems due to cholesterol levels in the arteries which triggers the so called Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs).
5. Cancer prevention
Red onions are important in the war against cancer. This is because they contain a powerful chemical known as quercetin.Quercetin belongs to a group of plant pigments known as flavonoids. It is responsible for giving onions their red color. Quercetin’s role is to inhibit the growth of cancer cells ranging from breast, colon, and prostate to ovarian cancer. It has been shown through research that intake of quercitin lowers risk of lung cancer.
6. Pain Relief
Unbeknownst to many people, red onions are useful in relieving pain and in particular, pain caused by stinging insects which leaves a burning sensation. If you have been stung by a bee, apply red onion juice on the affected area and you will experience immediate relief from the burning sensation.
7. Prevents Gastric Ulcers
Red onions are very effective in fighting free radicals that are responsible for obnoxious gastric ulcers. The onions eat away the free radicals and eliminate them from the gastric tract thereby reducing the risk of gastric ulcers.
