4 Advantages of Eating Onions
By Brandi Swieter
Onions may not be everyone’s favorite vegetable, but they do offer a lot of advantages to those who eat them regularly. Most people can’t stomach the idea of eating an onion raw, which offers the most nutrients, but they make excellent additions to cooked meals. By eating more onions, people are likely to experience some big benefits.
Cancer Prevention
One of the biggest advantages to eating onions is the fact they offer cancer prevention. Colon cancer, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer, in particular, are slowed due to the compounds and nutrients within onions. Eating seven servings of onion per week can help reduce colon cancer. Because onions are an allium vegetable, they already have a high chance of lowering the risk for prostate cancer and stomach cancer. Vitamin C is also found in onions, which is a powerful antioxidant that works to fight off bad cells within the body. Red or purple onions have the most antioxidant properties.
Weight Loss
Individuals hoping to lose weight should be able to meet their goals if they include fruits and vegetables in their diet. Onions will be a huge help in their journey because they are low in calories. A full cup contains between 40 and 60, depending on the type of onion. They can be consumed raw or added to a salad or meal for some extra flavor.
Improved Mood
The folate found in onions can help to reduce symptoms of depression, aid in sleep, and improve mood. Folate prevents homocysteine from building up, which can prevent nutrients from getting to the brain. This negative compound also interferes with the body’s production process for creating feel-good hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin. With enough folate from onions in the system, the process will continue to be effective and ensure mood increases.
Better Hair
Vitamin C is found in onions, which is necessary for the production of collagen. Collagen isn’t just responsible for better skin. It also aids in hair production. This can mean fuller, longer hair that grows in fast. Anyone struggling with hair growth or who wants their hair to appear more lustrous should eat plenty of onions and get a good dose of Vitamin C.
Chop some onion into a salad, add some sliced onions on your sandwich, or cook them to perfection and add them to your favorite dish. Whatever way you eat them, onions pack a lot of punch when it comes to health. With few calories and plenty of nutrients, onions offer advantages no one should ignore. To avoid the cry-inducing affects, cut the onion in water or near an open window. It will help the gasses escape without harming the eyes.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wilmington, N.C.