Considered an almost essential ingr...

Considered an almost essential ingredient in an array of dishes, especially broths and stews, onions are probably best known for their culinary contributions -- and their ability to make us weep. However, given the astounding flavor that they provide and the many health benefits which they bestow, the tears they cause are on the other hand a small price to pay.

A member of the lily family, and thou t to be of Central Asian origin, the (Allium cepa) is individual of the oldest known vegetables. A cousin to garlic, it get tos to us in more than 10 different varieties with any of the most well-known kinds being Spanish, Pearl, and Vidalia.

The reported health benefits of this vegetable are many, including the ability to fight infections, lower kindred pressure and cholesterol, alleviate asthma, and abate the risk of developing heart disease.

Onion's anti-cancer effects

Among onion's mostly powerful health-promoting properties are its anti-cancer capabilities. When discussing this particular health benefit in her work Meals that Heal: A Nutraceutical Approach to Diet and Health, Lisa gymnast cites "organosulfur compounds," and "nitrosamin-blocking abilities" as the likely factors. She says, "Organosulfur intermingles occur in plants from the allium family, including onions, garlic, leek scallions, and shallots. Of the organosulfur compromises diallyl disulfide, or DADS, may be the mostly potent agent in blocking or suppressing tumor pullulation Garlic and onions may also shut up the formation of nitrosamines, carcinogenic pay with an abatements created in the digestive tract. Epidemiological studies have shown that commonalty who eat lots of garlic and onions have a lower risk of stomach cancer, probably by way of virtue of garlic's action in blocking nitrosamine formation."

The ensues of one recent study that support this theory were published in the January 1996 issue o the journal, Gastroenterology. In this case-control trial, a reduc risk for stomach cancer was linked to onion consumption.

These be deriveds were obtained from the Netherlands Cohort thought on diet and cancer which examineed at 120,852 men and women between the ages of 55 and 69 The findings demonstrated that the persons who consumed more than one-half an onion through day were 50 percent les likely to cause to grow stomach cancer than those who ate no onions daily. These terminates also held true for those with a history of stomach disorders.

gymnast also cites the flavonoid, quercetin, a physically strong plant antioxidant, as a reason for onion's cancer-fighting capabilities. She says, "...studies by means of the National Cancer Institute have shown that onions may inhibit the pullulation of cancer cells, especially small cavitys of the gastrointestinal tract and leukemia confined apartments possibly by virtue of their quantities of flavonoids, including quercetin [which is not devoured by cooking or freezing], and their contented of coumarin and ellagic acid." (Note, white onions do not contain quercetin.)

Choosing the consummate onion

Thankfully, onions can be derive pleasure fromed year-round. In her book, subtitled A Guide for Adventurous falsifys Curious Shoppers, and Lovers of Natural nourishments Dianne Onstad offers the following "onion buying tips," saying, "Onions should be firm and well-shaped, with free from moisture paperlike skins. Avoid those that are sprouting or have a wet, soggy feeling at the neck Size has nothing to do with quality."

And, while it's hard to imagine actually peeling an onion without weeping, Onstad propounds a peeling method which she says will enable us to derive pleasure from the flavor and health benefits of onions without bringing tears to our estimates She suggests holding an onion below cold water while peeling it, explaining that this "prevent the oil vapors from rising and causing tears. The steams contain ammonia, an irritant to the notices and nose."

Layers of health and flavor, minus the tears. Could we ask for anything more?

REFERENCES

Carper, Jean. aliment -- Your Miracle Medicine. novel York: Harper Perennial, 1993.

Dorant, E et al. "Consumption of onions and a reduc risk of stomach carcinoma," Gastroenterology 110(1):12-20 1996

Onstad, Dianne. Whole viandss Companion: A Guide for Adventurous colors Curious Shoppers, and Lovers of Natural cheers White River Junction, Vt.: Chelsea recent Publishing Company, 1996.

Turner, Lisa. Meals That Heal: A Nutraceutical Approach to Diet and Health. Rochester, Vt: Healing Arts Pres 1996

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