Friday, April 27, 2012

Onion Health Benefits

Onion provides a wide range of health benefits. It is useful in the treatment of asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Onion has been used across the world for centuries in a variety of cuisines. It is perhaps the most popular vegetable in the world. It is not only tasty but also helps to prevent and cure a variety of diseases. It is quite nutritious as it contains proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It also contains vitamins and calcium. Some of the minerals that are present in onion are potassium, zinc and phosphorous. There are several onion health benefits.


Onions
Onion for Asthma

Onion contains flavonoid called quercetin. It has anti-inflammatory properties. Most of the quercetin is available in the onion skin. The skin should be extracted and boiled in water. The water can be cooled and the skin filtered out before drinking the liquid.

Onion and Honey for Asthma

Onion juice can be extracted by placing onion pieces in a juicer. Mix a tbsp of this juice with a tbsp of honey. Drink it 3-4 times a day. This would reduce the inflammation and the intensity of attacks. It would also prevent further occurrence of attacks. The reason for this is the sulfur content of onions. Sulfur helps to reduce the inflammation of the airways and makes you breathe better. This is one of the important health benefits

Onion for Diabetes

Onion contains allyl polypyl disulphide as an active ingredient. This helps to lower blood sugar levels and increase insulin. Onion also helps to block the breakdown of insulin in the liver. This ensures that the body has more insulin. It is very helpful to patients of type 2 diabetes.

Onion for Heart

Onion helps to prevent cardiovascular(heart) diseases like hypertension and atherosclerosis. Red onions are more effective in reducing cholesterol levels as they contain more quercetin. Onions have anticoagulant properties that help to promote the clot dissolving ability of the blood. They contain chemicals that prevent the platelets from sticking together.

Onion for Insomnia

Providing relief for insomnia is one the important health benefits. Cut raw onion into pieces. Drop it into a glass jar. Smell it deeply several times just before going to bed. The aroma will help you to go to sleep quickly. If you wake up in the middle of the night you can smell onion and get quickly back to sleep again. Drinking onion juice is another method to overcome insomnia. 

Onion for Hair Growth

Rub a raw onion slice on the part of the scalp where you are experiencing hair loss. This will help to stimulate hair growth. You can also apply water boiled with onion skin on your scalp. Wash it off after half an hour to reduce hair loss and promote growth.

These are some of the onion health benefits

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