Reasons why you want onions: what your body needs

Much has been said about the benefits of onions, but not everyone knows exactly how they affect different organs and systems in the human body. For some diseases this product can become a panacea, for others it can cause harm. There are restrictions on the use of this product, but sometimes the body itself requires it.

How to correctly include it in the diet and what nuances should be taken into account - you will learn from our article.

Why do you want onions?

The human body is a complex interconnected system. She herself is able to tell you what she needs for proper functioning. Sometimes a strong desire to eat a particular product acts as a signal.

Interesting. Onions were first grown in the Bronze Age. The modern name appeared thanks to K. Linnaeus. He called the vegetable the Celtic word “all,” which translates as “burning.”

By listening to your body, you can understand the reasons for such desires. If you really want onions, it means there is a deficiency of vitamins and microelements.

Craving for this product may also indicate a viral attack, because it is a powerful weapon in the fight against infectious diseases. The need to eat onions also arises in cases of respiratory diseases, when a hidden infection attacks the body, but there is no adequate treatment.

With the onset of the cold season, the frequency of consumption of this vegetable increases.. The number of viral diseases is growing, which means the body needs protection.The immune system signals the brain about this - this is how unexpected taste preferences are formed.

What the body lacks

The need for regular consumption of onions may indicate a lack of such vitamins and microelements:

1. Vitamin C. Every day, the human body should receive from 200 to 500 mg along with food.
2. Iron. You can verify this by taking a blood test. Not only onions, but also red meat, eggs, dried apricots, nuts, pomegranate, and pumpkin seeds will help fill the shortage.
3. Selenium. An important element of metabolic processes, it is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid and pancreas. Additional foods to replenish – seafood, nuts, legumes.
4. B vitamins (B1, B6 and B9). The consequence of deficiency is a violation of metabolic processes and the qualitative composition of the blood, the development of anemia. The lack of this group of vitamins affects the condition of hair, nails and skin, and the functioning of the nervous system.
5. Potassium. Symptoms of deficiency are problems with heartbeat, cramps and spasms, increased fatigue, regular constipation.
6. Sulfur. This microelement is responsible for beauty. When this element is missing, the smoothness and elasticity of the skin is lost, the shine of the hair disappears, and it becomes stiff.

Composition and beneficial properties of white and red onions

White and red onions taste different: The first one is sweeter. The purple-colored vegetable is useful for diabetes, as it can lower blood sugar. White reduces cholesterol levels.

Varieties have slight differences on chemical composition and beneficial properties.

White onions contain the following vitamins and minerals: (per 100 g):

• ascorbic acid – 10 mg;
• vitamin E – 0.2 mg;
• thiamine – 0.5 mg;
• riboflavin – 0.02 mg;
• pyridoxine – 0.1 mg;
• pantothenic acid – 0.1 mg;
• folic acid – 9 mg;
• nicotinic acid – 0.5 mg;
• phosphorus – 58 mg;
• sulfur – 65 mg;
• calcium – 31 mg;
• magnesium – 14 mg.

White onions are healthy due to their high content of iron salts, therefore it is recommended to use it for anemia to increase hemoglobin. It stimulates the production of insulin, normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and reduces bad cholesterol. Acts as an antiseptic. The antibacterial effect is due to the content of phytoncides. Accelerates the growth of hair follicles with alopecia.

Red onion contains: (per 100 g):

• ascorbic acid – 10 mg;
• thiamine – 0.05 mg;
• pyridoxine – 0.1 mg;
• riboflavin – 0.1 mg;
• vitamin E – 0.2 mg;
• folic acid – 9 mg;
• chromium – 42 mg;
• zinc – 0.95 mg;
• magnesium – 14 mg;
• calcium – 31 mg;
• iron – 0.8 mg;
• sulfur – 65 mg.

Due to the presence of B vitamins, red onions provide good conductivity of nerve fibers. The antiseptic effect helps fight colds.

Vitamin E stimulates Hair Growth and improves skin structure. Sulfur reduces the level of intoxication in the body, and carotene has an antihistamine effect. Increased stomach acidity leads to rapid digestion of food.

Benefits for men, women and children

For men, onions are useful in that they can have a beneficial effect on potency, enhance sexual function.

Women It is recommended to eat onions due to their high folic acid content. This component is useful for the reproductive system, especially in preparation for pregnancy. Vitamin C in the composition has a positive effect on the condition of the hair.

Attention! This vegetable with a specific smell is used to prepare masks, after which the curls become shiny and strong, and dandruff disappears. This cosmetic procedure stimulates the growth of new hair.

A special condition of a woman - pregnancy. Onions should be consumed with caution during this period. A positive effect can be in the form of strengthening the immune system and replenishing the lack of vitamins, protection against infectious diseases. Folic acid in the composition is involved in the formation of the neural tube of the fetus. Pregnant women who frequently eat onions suffer less from constipation.

Caution must be exercised due to the property of onions to irritate the gastric mucosa. and gallbladder, provoke heartburn, gastritis and pancreatitis.

Children are introduced to onions in their diet from eight months, but only in heat-treated form. When breastfeeding, it is better for a woman to refuse it, because this can affect the taste of milk - infants are very sensitive to it.

Important! It is better not to give fresh onions to children under two years of age due to the immaturity of the digestive system.

Children do not like the sharp taste of raw vegetables, so it is better to include it in small quantities in ready-made dishes: soups, vegetable purees, salads. To soften the taste, chop it and sprinkle it with salt, and after a few minutes add a small amount of lemon juice.

Effect on various organs and systems of the body

The harmful effects of vegetables on microorganisms have ambiguous consequences.. On the one hand, it helps to suppress pathogenic microflora and fight infections, on the other hand, beneficial microflora can also suffer.Onions have a beneficial effect on hematopoietic function, stimulate metabolic processes, and remove excess fluid from the body.

Effect on the liver

Onions remove toxins from the liver and gallbladder. To achieve this effect, it is recommended to eat it fresh and drink plenty of fluids. If necessary, heat treatment can be carried out.

Effects on the brain

Regular consumption of onions delays the aging process of the brain human, improves memory and emotional state of a person. All thanks to the high content of sulfur compounds. In addition, there is a slight hypnotic effect.

Heart

Onions are good for the cardiovascular system. It contains a lot of potassium and B vitamins, which are involved in the formation of blood vessels and the process of hematopoiesis. It is useful to use it for hypertension.

For various diseases

Onions improve the condition of patients with osteoporosis due to calcium content. It is used to prevent gout, as it removes uric acid.

Diabetes

For diabetics of the first and second types, onions are indispensable. Its healing properties are due to its ability to lower blood sugar levels (which is facilitated by vitamin PP in the composition). For insulin-dependent patients, regular consumption of fresh or cooked vegetables will reduce the dose of the drug. To get the effect, you need to eat onions regularly.

Read also:

Is it possible to eat onions with pancreatitis?

Is it possible to eat onions with gastritis?

For weight loss

For the process losing weight the following product properties correspond:

• stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract;
• acceleration of metabolic processes;
• lowering cholesterol levels;
• normalization of water-salt balance;
• diuretic and choleretic effect;
• increased insulin production.

Onions do not burn fat. There is no food that destroys fat cells. But this vegetable contains many substances involved in the decomposition process. Low calorie content (41 kcal per 100 g) makes it possible to consume it daily.

Consumption norms per day

Despite the large amount of vitamins, only moderate doses of the product are beneficial. To a healthy person eat enough 100 g of fresh onions per day.

The norm for using heat-treated product is 200 g. When fried, it is recommended to include no more than 100 g of vegetable in the diet, because its calorie content increases significantly due to the addition of oil. In pickled - up to two onions per day.

Which form is best to eat?

It is best to eat onions raw, so they retain all their benefits.. When cooking, most of the vitamins are lost - in particular, vitamin C. But still, the vegetable after heat treatment also has beneficial properties for the body.

Contraindications and possible harm

Along with its benefits, the product can also cause harm.:

1. Irritant effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, which can provoke an increase in acidity, exacerbation of gastritis, gastric ulcer. Raw onions should not be eaten by people suffering from stomach diseases, especially during periods of exacerbation.
2. Excessive consumption of fresh product can disrupt the beneficial intestinal microflora and suppress the immune system.
3. A lot of dietary fiber, acids and essential oils in the composition have a stimulating effect on the intestines, stimulate peristalsis, as a result of which they can cause bloating, diarrhea or colic.
4. Due to the irritating effect on the mucous membrane, it is forbidden to eat onions during pancreatitis, especially in the acute stage.
5. An excess of the product in the diet can provoke an attack of bronchial asthma or increase blood pressure and disrupt the heart rhythm.
6. Causes drowsiness.

Conclusion

Onions are an undeniably healthy product. It is rich in vitamins and microelements, has a positive effect on many processes in the body, and can prevent a significant number of diseases.

But you should eat it carefully, as it can cause harm, especially with exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. Use onions in limited quantities, and then the benefits will be obvious.