Onion, this ingredient with a special flavor, tends to evoke extreme reactions in people—you either love it or hate it. However, it is a vegetable with numerous benefits, especially in cancer prevention, a fact that is beyond doubt. Onions have many benefits; do you know them all?
Onion is one of the very few vegetables that contains prostaglandin A, a potent vasodilator. It can soften blood vessels, reduce blood viscosity, increase coronary blood flow, and promote the excretion of substances that cause high blood pressure, such as sodium salt. Therefore, it can regulate blood lipids, lower blood pressure, and prevent thrombosis. Onions can prevent high cholesterol.
Daily consumption of half a raw onion or an equivalent amount of onion juice to protect the heart was originally a folk remedy. Dr. Kondo in the United States conducted experiments on his patients and proved that onions do have the effect of raising good cholesterol. However, the more the onion is cooked, the less effective it becomes. Onions can break down fat.
Dr. Kondo had his heart disease patients eat onions daily and found that the compounds in onions can also prevent platelet aggregation and accelerate the dissolution of blood clots.
Therefore, when you enjoy high-fat foods, it is best to pair them with some onions to help counteract blood clots caused by high-fat foods. This is why steak is often served with onions, which is very logical. Onions can combat asthma.
Onions contain at least three natural anti-inflammatory chemicals that can treat asthma. Since onions can inhibit the action of histamine, a chemical that causes asthma allergy symptoms; according to German research, onions can reduce the risk of asthma attacks by about half. Onions can prevent and treat insomnia.
The wonders of onions don't stop there. In daily life, onions can also be used to prevent and treat insomnia: place chopped onions by your pillow. The unique irritants in onions will have a magical effect of calming the nerves and inducing sleep. Onions can prevent and relieve nasal congestion.
When you have a cold, drinking hot miso soup with onions can quickly induce sweating and reduce fever. If your nose is congested, hold a small piece of onion against your nostrils; the pungent smell of the onion will instantly clear your nasal passages.
In addition, peel the brown outer skin of an onion, cut it, and soak it in red wine. Store it in the refrigerator for a week, after which you can drink the wine. The onion can also be eaten and is very effective in treating gout.