STANLEY RAHILA INDE
U14MM1129
One can imagine what would a kitchen be without the excellent sharp smell and taste of onions filling out the flavours of various cuisine? Onion is known to be one of most consumed vegetable crops in Nigeria and Africa at large and it is mostly grown in northern part of Nigeria via Kano, kaduna, Sokoto, Plateau, Bauchi and Kebbi state.
Onion has been used for thousands of years as an ingredient in various dishes by many cultures around the world, these vegetables can be eaten raw, cooked, fried etc. There are many different varieties of onion, red, yellow, white, and green each with their own unique flavour from very strong to a gentle sweet.
Apart from all these, onions have a many health benefits to it users. Many studies show that consumption of onion prevent the heart from attack (heart-attack) and it protects the blood vessels. For instance in Chinese medicine, onions have been used to treat angina, coughs, bacterial infections etc.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) advise the use of onions for the treatment of poor appetite and to prevent disease of the arteries (atherosclerosis), also onion extracts are recognised by WHO in treating cold, asthma and bronchitis (respiratory disease).
Onions helps in digestion of food: The fibre in onions improve the digestive function of the body system by encouraging the growth of good bacteria known as prebiotics in the intestine. However with the provision of Inulin by onion it helps to fight against obese women because consuming inulin beneficially changed the gut micro biota composition in a way that might help promote weight loss or lower the risk of diabetes.
Cancer and Asthma prevention: onions provide Quercetin a powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties that may help in fighting chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. This antioxidants helps to combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. Studies have also shown that regular consumption of onions helps to reduce the risk of several cancers such as colorectal cancer, oral cancer, laryngeal cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, and ovarion cancer. Onions have antioxidants and antihistamine effects due to quercetin, capable of reducing allergic or inflammatory chemicals in the body and aid in treating asthma.
Reduction of sugar level: onions contain allyl propyl disulphide (oil of onions) that helps to reduce the blood glucose level by increasing the amount of insulin. Hence consumption of onion helps to reduce the sugar level in our body system.
Tooth decay: In as much as chewing raw onions can cause bad breath, it largely helps in improving the strength of the teeth and fight off bacteria which can cause tooth decay. Also onions can be used to cure or prevent oral infection, merely chewing onions for minutes effectively kill all the germs in the oral region and areas like throat and lips.
Skin treatment: Onions juice mixed with olive oil is a good home medication for treating acne. Onions can also be applied as moist to boils bruises wounds etc.
Anemia: another health benefit of onion is treatment of anemia. Anemic condition can be improved by eating onion with jaggery and water, this add to the mineral content of the body especially iron. Iron is an essential part of producing new red blood cells, hence, iron iron deficiency can be prevented by having a health portion of onions in your delicious meal.
Onions have so many vital medicinal value to the body because of its mineral components such as calcium, magnesium, selenium, p
otassium, sodium and phosphorus. They are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6 and fibre.
Start consuming onions today its good for your health………
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