Anti-cancer Foods, Articles, Cancer Related

Anti-Cancer Foods: Onions Uses & Benefits

9 months ago

6 views

3 min read

Onions on wooden background close up shoot

Did you know that Egyptians buried their rulers (pharaoh) with onions, while Greeks ate onions before competing in the Olympics?

What Are Onions?

Onion is a plant with an edible bulb, and it is widely used worldwide in cooking in a pattern similar to garlic. Onion is used in cooking due to its distinctive flavor and smell and because it enhances the flavor of foods, it adds to.

What Are The Uses Of Onions?

Onions belong to the genus Allium of floral plants, including garlic, shallots, chives, and leeks. In ancient times onions were used to treat conditions like heart disease, mouth sores, and headaches. These vegetables also contain minerals, vitamins, and potent compounds with impressive health benefits.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Onions?

Scientists have found many health benefits of onions, most of which are due to antioxidants. Following are some of the most important health benefits of onions.

Rich In Nutrients

Besides being rich in antioxidants, onions contain manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, biotin, and copper. One cup of onions provides one gram of protein, 7 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, and 3 grams of sugar. We all know the role of Vitamin C, biotin, and Vitamin B in our skin, hair, nails, and other body functions.

Improves Digestive Health

Onions improve digestive health because they contain fructooligosaccharides. These compounds act as prebiotics for gut bacteria. The small intestines can not digest these compounds, but when they reach the large intestine, they serve as food for healthy bacteria.

Moreover, conditions such as colon cancer, diabetes, and several gastrointestinal tract diseases can reduce the number of healthy bacteria.

Improve Bone Health

Onions also protect from osteoporosis. Studies on both animals and humans have supported this benefit. One study on women close to and after menopause showed that women who regularly ate onions had high bone density. So, this result indicates that eating onion periodically is great for preventing osteoporosis in older women.

Regulate Blood Sugar

For prediabetics and diabetic patients, onions are great as they regulate blood sugar levels. A study showed that eating 100 grams of onion significantly reduced blood sugar levels. Multiple animal studies have also confirmed the blood sugar-regulating role of onions.

Compounds such as quercetin and Sulphur compounds in onion possess Anti Diabetic properties. For example, quercetin interacts with skeleton muscles, the small intestine, the liver, and fat issues throughout the body and control blood sugar level.

What Makes Onions An Anticancer Food?

Consumption of onion family vegetables is linked to reduced risk of stomach and colorectal cancer. A review of several studies showed that people who ate Allium vegetables had a 22% reduced risk of stomach cancer. The anticancer properties of onions are mainly because of flavonoids, sulfur compounds, and antioxidants found in them.

Onions contain a sulfur compound that decreases tumor progression and slows ovarian and lung cancer progression. Fisetin and quercetin are two antioxidants present in onion that inhibit tumor growth. Another study proved that men who eat more onion are less likely to suffer prostate cancer. In a separate study, Italian researchers found that onions reduced the risk of ovarian, colon, and throat cancers.

References