The benefits and harms of green onions for human health
Green onions, growing in almost every garden, have many beneficial properties for the human body. A simple product, often used only as a seasoning, has a wide range of possible uses: from cosmetology to medicine. It also has its contraindications, which few people know about.
In the article we will tell you the benefits and harms of green onions for human health, how the plant is used and for what diseases it is recommended to use it as a remedy.
Composition and properties of green onions
Green onions are the unripe leaves of onions. The feather is used as a seasoning for various dishes: salads, soups, pickles. Green onions are rich in microelements and vitamins. The product has an antibacterial effect and stimulates the immune system.
The calorie content of green onions is 20 kcal per 100 g. 100 g of product contains 1.3 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat, and 3.2 g of carbohydrates.
The table shows the vitamin composition of green onions.
| Vitamin | Contents mg per 100 g/% of daily intake | Health effects |
| Vitamin C | 27/33 | Increases immunity, strengthens the cardiovascular system. |
| Vitamin A | 25/30 | Supports visual function, improves the condition of hair, nails, and skin. |
| Vitamin PP | 2,5/157 | Provides energy to cells during biochemical processes, stimulates appetite. |
| Vitamin B1 | 12-15/35 | Maintains muscle tone, provides muscle fibers with oxygen, glucose, and nutrients. |
Harm and benefit to the body
Substances contained in onion feathers have a healing effect on humans: they increase the body’s resistance colds and viruses, help fight vitamin deficiency.
Eating onion greens is recommended not only by nutritionists, but also by adherents of traditional medicine. It is especially important to eat it during colds, as onions improve blood composition and reduce cholesterol. For people with cardiovascular diseases, the feather helps reduce the risk of complications by strengthening the walls of blood vessels.
Benefits for immunity
Phytoncides contained in onions have antiviral and bactericidal properties. They increase the body's ability to resist the effects of toxins, eliminate pathogenic bacteria in the mouth, and disinfect foods. The main vitamin in green onions that strengthens human immunity is ascorbic acid.
Attention! 100 g of product contains the daily requirement of vitamin C for an adult.
Benefits for teeth and bones
Bones and teeth receive phosphorus, calcium and magnesium from green feathers. The substances are absorbed by the body almost completely, bringing invaluable benefits to the body. The antibacterial property of the plant reduces the risk of developing caries, reducing the number of opportunistic microorganisms in the oral cavity. Onion greens also fight gum inflammation and bacterial stomatitis.
The iron contained in feathers is not only effective in preventing anemia, but also preserves the integrity of tooth enamel. Nicotinic acid has a positive effect on the condition of bones and teeth - it expands capillaries and improves the nutrition of bone tissue.
Benefits for the cardiovascular system
Green onions are a low-calorie product that contains a large number of useful substances and vitamins that prevent heart attacks and atherosclerosis, iron deficiency anemia and vascular diseases.
The plant increases the tone of arteries and veins, and also improves blood microcirculation in the body thanks to chlorophyll.
Benefits for men
Constant consumption of feathers promotes the production of the main hormone in the male body - testosterone. It is responsible for the active development of muscle mass and improvement of spermatogenesis processes.
Potassium, calcium, and selenium, which are part of onion greens, support male potency.
Benefits for women
Green onions contain zinc, which affects the female reproductive system. Women who regularly eat feathers are less likely to suffer from hormonal imbalances and have a regular menstrual cycle. The plant also strengthens hair and nails and takes part in the production of collagen in the female body.
Due to its high folic acid content, onions are beneficial during pregnancy. The compound is involved in the formation of the neural tube of the fetus and contributes to the full development of the body of the unborn baby.
It is especially important to eat onion greens in the first trimester of pregnancy, when all the organs and tissues of the fetus are formed. Vitamin C in onions promotes the absorption of iron and prevents the development of hypoxia. Magnesium maintains vascular tone of mother and child. Calcium strengthens the baby’s skeletal system and compensates for the lack of this element in the mother’s body.
Benefits for children
After 3 years, a child can be introduced to green onions for the first time. Start with 1-2 feathers after eating. If the child does not like the new product, it is recommended not to insist and offer it later.
Greens are very beneficial for a child’s body: it helps resist colds, germs in the mouth, the harmful effects of toxins, strengthens the immune system and promotes the harmonious development of the nervous system.
Harm
Despite the fact that the pen has many useful properties, there are restrictions on its use.
It is not recommended to take a lot of green onions if:
- gastritis;
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
- cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, angina pectoris);
- high blood pressure;
- bronchial asthma;
- exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis.
Consumption norms per day
You should consume no more than 2 tbsp per day. l. feather (volume of crushed product). Excessive consumption of this product leads to bloating and belching.
The feather is recommended to be consumed fresh. It is chopped and added as a seasoning to salads, pickled vegetables and mushrooms, soups, meat dishes and stewed vegetables, cold soups such as okroshka and rice rolls, fish dishes and sauces. Finished dishes are decorated with feathers. They also eat greens as an independent dish, simply dipping them in salt.
Use in cooking
Onions are widely used in Russian national cuisine. We offer a recipe for a simple dish with the addition of green onions. In a fresh vegetable salad recipe, it plays the role of a flavor enhancer.
Ingredients:
- tomatoes - 2 pcs.;
- cucumbers - 2 pcs.;
- sweet pepper - 1 pc.;
- onion - 1 bunch;
- vegetable oil - 2-3 tsp;
- salt - to taste.
Preparation:
- Cut the tomatoes into slices.
- Cut the cucumbers into half rings.
- Cut the sweet pepper into thin half rings.
- Finely chop the feather.
- Mix vegetables.
- Season with oil and salt.
In cosmetology
Thanks to the zinc contained in green feathers, the product improves the quality of the skin, makes nails strong, and hair shiny and healthy. Masks and compresses are prepared from greens.
Scalp mask
This mask stimulates active blood circulation in the scalp and strengthens the hair follicles.
Ingredients:
- onion - 2 bunches;
- any mask for the scalp.
Preparation:
- The feather is ground into mush.
- Mix the greens with the finished mask.
- Apply to the scalp for 40 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
In folk medicine
Healthy and affordable green onions are used in folk medicine. The feather restores immunity, treats vitamin deficiency, cardiovascular diseases, weak male potency, and colds.
We offer a recipe for a vitamin remedy that restores strength after a protracted illness and treats spring vitamin deficiency.
Ingredients:
- green onions - 1 bunch;
- ginger root - 1 pc.;
- lemon - 1 pc.;
- walnut - 5 pcs.
Preparation:
- Prepare onion gruel.
- Grate the ginger root.
- Squeeze lemon juice.
- Walnuts are peeled and ground.
- Mix the ingredients.
- Store the elixir in the refrigerator, consume 1 tbsp. l. after meals 1 time per day for 1-2 weeks.
Who is contraindicated for onions?
Green onions should not be given to children during the first three years of life. In addition, the product is contraindicated for those who suffer from peptic ulcers, gastritis, kidney and liver diseases.
Those who are allergic to feathers, as well as high blood pressure, asthma, and bronchitis should not eat onions.
Reviews
We offer some interesting reviews about the benefits and unusual uses of onion greens.
Daria, Pskov: «I’m sharing my recipe: I always serve pickled mushrooms with green onions and sour cream.The combination of sour, spicy and creamy is a masterpiece of home cooking. You can also add a little ground pepper.”
Sofia, Chuguev: “In our family, we always serve a bunch of green onions for dinner - it’s tasty and very healthy. Just chew the greens and you have already disinfected the oral cavity. It's almost like brushing your teeth after eating."
Tatiana, Volzhsky: “I started teaching my son to write at the age of 5. I tried a million options, he didn’t want to eat it at all. And then I came across a miracle method: I make a snail out of a feather, twist it into a spiral and put it in the child’s mouth. The snail unwinds in the mouth and this makes the baby very happy. This is how we eat onions.”
This is interesting:
The benefits and harms of red onions for the human body.
Conclusion
Onion feathers are useful, taste and beautiful. The product is used as a seasoning, used to decorate dishes and for treatment. Greens support male potency, improve libido in women, and treat colds in children. The feather is used in cosmetology and medicines are prepared from it.
Those who suffer from peptic ulcers or kidney or liver failure should not eat onions; in addition, green onions are contraindicated for children under three years of age.