Medicinal value
Onion is very rich in nutrients, not only rich in potassium, vitamin C, folate, zinc, selenium, and fiber and other nutrients, but also two special nutrients - quercetin and prostaglandin A. These two special nutrients make Onions have many health benefits that cannot be replaced by other foods:
1. Prevent cancer
Onion's cancer-fighting benefits come from its high levels of selenium and quercetin. Selenium is an antioxidant that stimulates the body's immune response, thereby inhibiting the division and growth of cancer cells, while also reducing the toxicity of carcinogens. Quercetin can inhibit the activity of carcinogenic cells and prevent the growth of cancer cells. According to a survey, people who regularly eat Onions are 25% less likely to develop stomach cancer than those who do not eat Onions, and 30% less likely to die from stomach cancer.
2. Maintain cardiovascular health
Onions are the only vegetable known to contain prostaglandin A. Prostaglandin A dilates blood vessels and reduces blood viscosity, thus lowering blood pressure, increasing coronary blood flow, and preventing thrombosis. Onion rich in quercetin, its biological availability is very high, scientists report that quercetin may help prevent low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, for atherosclerosis, can provide an important protective effect.
3. Stimulate appetite and aid digestion
Onion contains alliin, has a strong aroma, processing because of the pungent smell and often make people cry. It is this special smell that stimulates the secretion of stomach acid and increases appetite. Animal experiments have also proved that onion can improve gastrointestinal tension, promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, so as to play an appetizing role, on atrophic gastritis, gastric motility, dyspepsia caused by loss of appetite has a significant effect.
4. Bactericidal and anti-cold
Onion contains phytocidin such as allicin, etc., has a strong bactericidal ability, can effectively resist the flu virus, prevent colds. When this phytocidin is discharged through the respiratory tract, urinary tract and sweat glands, it can stimulate the secretion of the cell pipe wall in these locations, so it has the effect of expectorant, diuretic, sweating and antibacterial anticorrosion.