Selection :While buying, look for fresh ones that are clean, uniform, well-developed without having opening at the neck and feature crispy, and dry outer skins. Avoid those that show sprouting or have signs of black mold (a kind of fungal attack) as they indicate that the stock is old. In addition, poor-quality bulbs often have soft spots, moisture at their neck, and dark patches, which may all be an indications of decay.
Storage :At home, store them in cool dark place away from moisture and humid conditions, where they keep fresh for several days. They can also keep well in the refrigerator; however, you should use them immediately once you remove from the refrigerator since they tend to spoil if kept at room temperature for a longer periods.
Usage :This vegetable is used in different ways of Cooking and even in more areas as a different substitute.
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Anti-Inflammatory Benefits :While onion is not as well researched as garlic in terms of specific inflammatory health problems like rheumatoid arthritis or allergic airway inflammation, this allium vegetable has nevertheless been shown to provide important anti-inflammatory benefits. Onion A—a unique sulphur molecule in onion that is found in the bulb portion of the plant—has been shown to inhibit the activity of macrophages, specialized white blood cells that play a key role in our body's immune system, and one of their activities involves the triggering of large-scale inflammatory responses. While macrophage activity is typically a good thing, inhibition of their activity can sometimes be critical in getting chronic unwanted inflammation under control.
Phyto-chemical compounds : Allium and Allyl disulphide in the onions convert into allicin by enzymatic reaction when its modified leaves are distorted (crushing, cutting, etc.). Studies have shown that these compounds have anti-mutagenic (protects from cancers) and anti-diabetic properties (helps lower blood sugar levels in diabetics).Allicin also decreases blood vessel stiffness by releasing nitric oxide (NO) and thereby bring a reduction in the total blood pressure. Further, it blocks platelet-clot formation, and has fibrinolytic action in the blood vessels. Altogether, it helps decrease in overall risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral vascular diseases (PVD), and stroke.
Cardiovascular Benefits :Unlike the research on garlic and its cardiovascular benefits, research specifically focused on onion has mostly been conducted on animals rather than humans. In animal studies, there is evidence that onion's sulphur compounds may work in an anti-clotting capacity and help prevent the unwanted clumping together of blood platelet cells. There is also evidence showing that sulphur compounds in onion can lower blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, and also improve cell membrane function in red blood cells.
Rich source of Chromium and Biotin:Onions are a very good source of biotin..Onions are rich source of chromium, the trace mineral that helps tissue cells respond appropriately to insulin levels in the blood. It thus helps facilitate insulin action and control sugar levels in diabetes.
Support for Bones Density :Human studies have shown that onion can help increase our bone density and may be of special benefit to women of menopausal age who are experiencing loss of bone density. In addition, there is evidence that women who have passed the age of menopause may be able to lower their risk of hip fracture through frequent consumption of onions. "Frequent" in this context means onion consumption on a daily basis! In this research on bone density in older women, very sporadic eating of onion (once a month or less) did not provide much benefit. That finding, of course, was very expected. But less expected was the finding that it took daily consumption of onion to show robust benefits for bone density. Just as in the cancer-related onion research, the take-away message here is clear: you don't want to skimp on onions when you are incorporating them into your meal plan.
Anti-oxidants :They are an also good source of antioxidant flavonoid quercetin, which is found to have anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic functions.They are also good in antioxidant vitamin, vitamin-C and mineral manganese. Manganese is required as a co-factor for anti-oxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. In addition, isothiocyanate anti-oxidants in them help provide relief from cold and flu by exerting anti-inflammatory actions.
1/2 a cup of Onions in diet per a day :Several servings of onion each week are sufficient to statistically lower your risk of some types of cancer. For colorectal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancer, between 1-7 servings of onion has been shown to provide risk reduction. But for decreased risk of oral and esophageal cancer, you'll need to consume one onion serving per day (approximately 1/2 cup).
Cancer Eradication :Onion has repeatedly been shown to lower our risk of several cancers, even when we consume it in only moderate amounts. "Moderate" generally means 1-2 times per week, even though in some studies it has been used to mean up to 5-6 times per week. Colorectal cancer, laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer are the cancer types for which risk is reduced along with moderate amounts of dietary onion. For other cancer types, however, moderate intake of onion has not been enough to show significant risk reduction. For these cancer types—including oesophageal cancer and cancers of the mouth—daily intake of onion is required before research results show significant risk reduction.
Cardiovascular Benefits :Usage of Onions in your daily diet will eradicate Cardiovascular diseases.
Support for Bone and Connective Tissues:Onions juice supports Bones and tissues strength.
Skin Care:This humble vegetable can provide you with healthy and glowing skin, thanks to the presence of rich amounts of antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. Both consumption and topical application of onions can provide numerous benefits to your skin.
Treatment of Acne :To treat acne, mix 1 tablespoon of onion juice or onion extract with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and pat the mixture onto your face. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then wash the mixture off.
Hair Care : Make juice of Onion and apply to the roots of hair and wash out after one hour with warm water and shampoo. This removes dan-druff and keeps your hair healthy.
Side effects :Basically, the body produces antibodies that go by the name of IgE antibodies and they then react against the proteins in the onion leading to the body producing excess amounts of Histamine from the gut, pharynx, and even the skin. The problem with too much Histamine is that your body then has an adverse reaction to this and it is this reaction that shows up as an allergic reaction.This particular type of allergy is what is generally known as a contact allergy and the result of this is that the symptoms are very much as you would expect to get from dermatitis as it tends to affect the skin or the gut more than anywhere else on the body. This means that the most common symptoms include : feeling itchy all over your body, the appearance of hives, nausea, diarrhoea, being bloated, and excess gas, but it is important to point out that a severe reaction, known as an acute reaction, is actually very rare when it comes to onions. Symptoms of an acute reaction include: changes to your breathing, blood pressure dropping, feeling very dizzy, and finally being in a state of confusion.
About the Vegetable :Onion also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is used as a vegetable and is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. This genus also contains several other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food.The onion plant has a fan of hollow, bluish-green leaves and the bulb at the base of the plant begins to swell when a certain day-length is reached. In the autumn the foliage dies down and the outer layers of the bulb become dry and brittle. The crop is harvested and dried and the onions are ready for use or storage. The crop is prone to attack by a number of pests and diseases, particularly the onion fly, the onion eelworm and various fungi that cause rotting. Some Show varieties of A. cepa such as shallots and potato onions produce multiple bulbs.The onion plant grows about 2 feet tall and bears an underground globular stem, which consists of modified leaves arranged in whorls. There are many cultivar onions grown around the world. The average crop takes about three to four months time. Top greens or scallions and flower heads are also eaten all around the world.
Scientific / Binomial name :Allium cepa
Popularly Known as :Bulb onion ,Common onion, Kaanda, Pyaaz , Pyaaj, Eerulli, Vengayam, Vullipaya, Yerra Gadda, Vulligadda
Usage :
They are used either chopped or sliced, in almost every type of food, including fresh salads, or as a spicy garnish.
In India and Pakistan, onions are one of the most sought-after ingredients in cooking where they used in curries, stir-fries, soups, stuffing, pastes, sauces, etc., everyday.
They are one of the common ingredients in the Chinese "chowmein" (a kind of recipe with chopped onions, scallions, cabbage, sweet bell peppers, chili and tomato sauce mixture.
They are used extensively in Mediterranean and continental cooking in salads, cheese pizza, burger, soup, tart, rolls, stuffing...etc.
