Nutrition And Benefits of Onion for Hair, Skin and Health

What is a fact is that in different cultures the properties and benefits of onion have become an indispensable part of the diet and food used to cure various ailments. Onions have helped cure almost any disease, from simple colds to heart disease, diabetes and many other ailments. The Aztec culture was one that made full use of this food, most dishes that prevail in the culture have onion as main ingredient.

Onion, which is known for to make you cry while chopping, is a vegetable. It not only enhances the taste of the food but gives you various health benefits as it is full of nutrients.

1. Origin of Onions:

The onion is a plant whose bulb is edible and possesses great medicinal properties. It is a plant for archaeologists and botanists has been a challenge because as it is a small plant and due to its composition leaves almost no traces, there is no accurate opinion about the exact place of origin of this plant, or their release date. Although many believe originated in the central region of the Asian continent, others claim it is a plant native to Iran and western Pakistan.

Similarly, no definitive agreement, experts believe that due to the properties of the onion, it has been cultivated for over 5000 years. Although some say that wild onion has been consumed since before man invented a written language and even before agriculture was developed.

What is a fact is that in different cultures the properties and benefits of onion have become an indispensable part of the diet and food used to cure various ailments. Onions have helped cure almost any disease, from simple colds to heart disease, diabetes and many other ailments. The Aztec culture was one that made full use of this food, most dishes that prevail in the culture have onion as main ingredient.

The onion is a plant whose bulb is edible and possesses great medicinal properties. It is a plant for archaeologists and botanists has been a challenge because as it is a small plant and due to its composition leaves almost no traces, there is no accurate opinion about the exact place of origin of this plant, or their release date. Although many believe originated in the central region of the Asian continent, others claim it is a plant native to Iran and western Pakistan.

Similarly, no definitive agreement, experts believe that due to the properties of the onion, it has been cultivated for over 5000 years. Although some say that wild onion has been consumed since before man invented a written language and even before agriculture was developed.

2. Onion nutrition:

Onion contains a vast amount of nutritional value which are as follows:

• Energy: 100 gm of raw onion gives 40 kcal.
• Carbohydrates: About 10 percent of raw Onion is made from carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are mainly simple sugar, starch and fibre. 100 gm of raw onion contains about 9-10 gm of carbohydrates.
• Fat: It is almost a fat-free vegetable; 100 gm of uncooked Onion has only 0.1 gm of fat.
• Protein: It has only 1% of protein.
• Fibre: Onion is a very rich source of fibres. 100 gm of it, has 1-3% of fibres. A very important fibre of Onion is known as fructans, which is a prebiotic fibre. It is essential for maintaining normal immunity and movement of the intestine.
• Vitamin: It contains good amount of vitamins. 100 gm of raw onion provides 14% of daily requirement of vitamin C, which is essential to improve immunity. Other than vitamin C, it contains vitamin B complex, vitamin A and vitamin E as well.
• Minerals: It is good for a hypertensive person because it has 7 times higher potassium compares to sodium. It is also good source of iron and magnesium (10% of daily requirement) and a rich source of sulphur.
• Antioxidants: Onion provides full bag amount of antioxidants. One of the important anti-oxidant is quercetin, which is potent anti-inflammatory substance.

3. Health Benefits of Onion:

• Mental Health: Rich amount of folate, found in onion , plays important role in the treatment of depression and mood swings. Flavonoids and anti-oxidants content of it, also relieve tension and anxiety.
• Onion for Eyes: Sulphuric acid of onion may produce tear in eyes, but it also decreases chances of blepharitis and other eye infection. Sulphur content of it is a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory.
• Nose bleeding: Some unknown contents of it help to stop nose bleeding.
• Mouth Infection: Chewing onion may prevent you from kissing because of bad stinky smell of it, but antibiotic properties of it prevent gingivitis and bleeding gum, more effectively than other toothpastes and mouthwashes. Allium and ally disulphide of it are two important activated sulphur contents, which prevents the growth of bacteria by destroying the cell wall of bacteria.
• Chest Health: Rich content of vitamin C and phytochemical present in onion reduce respiratory tract infection. Fresh onion juice also relieves cough and throat irritation. According to various studies, its juice also prevents allergic reactions like asthma, allergic rhinitis and eosinophilia.
• Heart Health: Flavonoid and thio-sulphide, both are natural blood thinner and also play an important role in lowering low-density cholesterol. Onion also deduces the process of atherosclerosis. All these factors combinely provide and maintain a healthy heart.
• For Digestive system: Onion is a natural appetite enhancer. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties of it reduce infection and swelling in stomach and intestine. Quercetin, a phytochemical of it prevents cancer, especially cancer of stomach and colon-rectal.
• For Genital organs: Ayurveda and ancient Chinese system of medicine both use onion to enhance sexual drive. It is a natural aphrodisiac and also strengthens sexual organs, especially of men. Study suggests onion is rich in L-Arginine which increases blood flow towards the heart. During sexual excitement blood flow towards penis and genital organ increases, L-arginine plays some positive role in sexual drive.
• Onion for Skin infection: External application of onion juice relieves in eczema and itching. It also reduces bacterial skin infection.
• Onion for hair: Application of onion paste is the best natural hair care. It not only removes dandruff but also increases blood circulation towards hair follicles. Anti-bacterial properties of it reduce follicle infection and promote hair growth.
• Onion for diabetes: Polyphenol in it plays an important role in sugar metabolism. A high amount of poly-phenol, S-methyl cysteine and quercetin reduces blood sugar level. Poly-phenol also incites insulin formation from pancreas.
• Onion for blood pressure: Onion reduces low-density cholesterol and blood vessel tightening, thus reduces blood pressure. It does not cause sudden lowering of blood pressure, so it should not be used for first-line treatment.
• Anti-anemic properties: It has anti-anemic properties, because it provides iron, phosphorus and vitamin E, which helps to generate red blood cells and replace lost blood.
• Circulatory system favors: Onions contain large amounts of quercetin that has the property of improving blood circulation. Onion also prevents thrombosis and aging of arteries and veins for their silica content. Also reduces cholesterol and increased ability to dissolve blood clots internally, thereby preventing coronary thrombosis.
• Diseases of the nervous system: For its significant content of vitamin B, potassium which is necessary for the transmission and generation of nerve and magnesium related to the nervous and muscular system boost.
• Diuretic and cleansing properties of the onion: The onion prevents fluid retention due to its content of potassium and low sodium content that promotes the elimination of excess fluids and thus frees the body of toxins. A Onion soup every day is beneficial as a treatment for prostate and kidney.
• Slimming and control overweight: Onion is ideal to include in any diet to lose weight by low caloric value, its high fiber content improves intestinal transit, its cleansing effect that helps remove toxins and prevent retention. Furthermore onion brings satiety after consumption.
• Benefits of Onion in pregnant women and children: Onion is a food to be considered in the diet of children and pregnant women due to its content of foliates essential for growth and proper development of the fetus in the early weeks gestation.
• Powerful antioxidant: Content of vitamin A, C, sulfur compounds and the large amount of flavonoids such as anthocyanins and quercetin, Onion make a potent antioxidant.
• Antiasthmatic and anti inflammatory: Any of its components Onion sulfur play an anti-asthmatic and anti-inflammatory action.
• Other Health benefits of onion: Onion combats constipation, regulates the digestive system, keeping the balance of digestive enzymes and prevent intestinal parasites. Onion acts as a Natural antiseptic applied externally and has the ability to reduce kidney inflammation. It also has medicinal properties against tuberculosis, diabetes, nephritis, rheumatism, sciatica, bone decalcification ,, insomnia, alcoholism and smoking, among others.

4. Contraindications Onion:

If the onion is consumed in large quantities it can cause some intestinal problems such as gas and bloating due to its content of sulfur compounds.

Read more: Posts about Vegetables

5. Interesting Fact about Onion:

• Most of the nutritional contents are found in the outer layer of the onion. So always make sure to peel it as less as possible.
• It is very potent anti-bacterial, but after peeling, it starts to attract lots of fungus and bacteria. So always be precautious about the following things:
• Never consume wet onion.
• Do not take onion which is stored after chopped or peeled 1-2 hour before.
• Always take fresh dry properly stored onion only.

6. Various Uses of Onion:

• Eye infection: put 1-1 drop of fresh onion juice in both eyes. It will cause tearing but prevent various types of eye infections.
• Acne: It is a natural antibiotic thus it prevents acne and makes skin shiny and glossy. For this, apply the mixture of onion paste and potato juice on the face or you can massage face with 1-2 onion fresh slice.
• For hair: Make paste of two onions and apply on hair from hair root to ends. After 1 hour, wash with normal water. Alternatively, you can also apply its juice in hair route and let it be there all night, wash in next morning.
• Digestion: To enhance appetite, take 5ml of its juice after meal. Or take it in salad regularly during meal.
• Mouth cleaner: Chewing of fresh onion or massage from juice or mouthwash from the decoction of onion, all are good habit for a healthy mouth.
• Chest infection or cough: Mix honey, onion juice and ginger juice in equal amount and drink 5 ml this mixture twice a day. It will ease in chest congestion and allergic reaction.
• For sexual health: Mix honey and onion juice in equal amount and take 10 ml of this mixture for 15 continuous nights.
• Breathing problems – Natural Expectorant: Onions are rich in vitamins A and C that help solve all kinds of respiratory conditions. Essential oils that produce sulfur compounds have beneficial effects if expectorants colds, coughs and bronchitis.

7. Disclaimer:

Above article is only for knowledge purpose about benefits of Onion. Please contact your healthcare provider before using any of above medicine or method. for any query or personal consultation according to your health condition, please contact your doctor.