Why We Should Eat More Onions
All vegetables are important when it comes to eating a healthy, balanced diet, but each one offers unique benefits. Onions are part of the same family as garlic, leeks, chives and shallots, known as the Allium family. They have a number of health benefits and medicinal properties that have been recognized since ancient times. We take a look at some of the top reasons to eat more onions.
Onions are packed full of nutrients.
Onions are high in vitamins and minerals, but low in calories, making them nutrient-dense. In fact, a medium onion contains only 44 calories but delivers a hearty dose of vitamins, minerals and fiber. They are particularly high in vitamin C which is great for keeping our immune systems healthy. Onions are also a great source of Vitamin B and potassium, both of which are essential for our bodies to function normally.
Onions help to control blood sugar.
This is good news, especially for those with diabetes or prediabetes. Studies have shown that eating fresh red onion helps to reduce fasting blood sugar levels and that onion consumption can benefit blood sugar control. There are specific compounds found in onions, such as quercetin and sulfur compounds, that possess antidiabetic effects.
Onions are full of antioxidants.
Onions are a great source of antioxidants and contain over 25 different varieties of flavonoid antioxidants (found in plants). Antioxidants help to inhibit oxidation, which is a process that leads to cellular damage and contributes to diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. That’s why we should eat more onions.
Onions have antibacterial properties.
The antibacterial properties in onions mean that they can help fight potentially dangerous bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Bacillus cereus. In addition, onion extract has also been proven to inhibit the growth of Vibrio cholerae, which is a bacteria that is currently a major health concern in our developing world.
There are so many ways to cook and enjoy onions which makes eating more of them a lot easier. At Anat we serve them raw, fried and grilled, depending on how our customers like them. Now that you know how onions can help your body, why not include more of them in your diet by adding them to your dishes. Raw onions are delicious in salads, and chopped onions can be added to nearly every sauce, stew or pasta dish.
We care about our customers and their health, which is why we take extra care to source and include delicious, fresh ingredients that can be added to every meal we serve. Visit your nearest Anat to experience our goodness for yourself.
