2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
The use of onions to treat diseases related to bacteria, viruses, fungi and chronic ones dates back to Egyptian healing practices recorded centuries ago. However, red onions deserve special attention because they are one of the best sources of nutrition cancer-fighting substances.
Today, researchers believe that up to 40% of cancers can be prevented only by changing eating habits. The compounds and nutrients found in red onionare associated with a reduced risk of developing prostate, stomach and many other cancers.
Red onions are different from other varieties of onions such as sweet onions and garlic with a milder taste. In addition to its aroma and color, red onions will not make you cry, and they also contain various compounds that can inhibit the growth of cancer. They are part of the collective family of flowering plants belonging to the allium family, known for their rich content in sulfur-containing amino acids. This family of vegetables has been extensively studied for its protection against degenerative diseases such as cancer.
Health benefits № 1: Improves detoxification pathways
It is assumed that the general antioxidant profile of red onion increases the activity of glutathione. These protection systems protect against cancer, by inhibiting inflammation, repairing DNA and tissue damage, neutralizing free radicals, eliminating liver carcinogens and maintaining various detoxification pathways that remove toxins from the body. The high sulfur content of red onions only maintains the body's natural ability to detoxify.
Sulfur stimulates several anti-inflammatory processes that promote healing through the application of antioxidant defenses. Sulfur is one of the best chelating agents that binds to heavy metals in the blood and expels these toxins from the body. Sulfur is essential for the health and activity of hormones, enzymes, nerves and red blood cells.
Any interference with these biological processes can lead to the accumulation of carcinogens and to increased inflammation and tissue damage, which in turn increases the risk of cancer.
Onions are also rich in quercetin, a powerful bioflavonoid. Quercetin helps eliminate excessive levels of estrogen from the body. This antioxidant also stimulates liver function to detoxify estrogen and other carcinogenic agents. Cancer cells of the uterus, breast, ovary and prostate are associated with the presence of estrogen binding receptors.
Quercetin also shows structural similarities to estrogen, making them possible anticancer treatment for the treatment of breast cancer cells.
Health benefits №2: Increases overall immunity
Red onions contain health-promoting compounds that improve your overall immune response. And the nutrients found in red onions act on the body, using antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects to reduce the burden on the immune system. The flavonoid content that contributes to these chemopreventive properties is higher in red onions than in white or yellow family members. Allicin is an antioxidant compound abundantly concentrated in red onions.
Allicin is effective in killing pathogens that weaken the immune response and support the development of cancer. It fights fungi, bacteria and viruses. For these reasons, red onion is a useful carminative herb that enhances digestive function and improves imbalances in the intestinal microflora.
Along with improving the natural abilities for detoxification, quercetin also has a great effect on reducing inflammation. Quercetin is such a potent anti-inflammatory that supplements of this compound are marketed to enhance the inflammatory response of the immune cell associated with the release of histamine.
Health benefits № 3: Regulates sugar levels
One of the benefits of consuming red onions instead of yellow or white is due to the low glycemic index. Red onions have a glycemic index (GI) of 10 on a scale from 0 to 100. This means that red onions release energy more slowly, which raises blood sugar levels. Eating foods that do not raise blood glucose if it is helpful in preventing the development of type 2 diabetes.
Impaired glucose metabolism is a known contributor to the development of cancer. Maintaining stable insulin levels is crucial to prevent physiological processes that can contribute to cancer. The low GI of red onion is associated with lowering blood pressure, increasing blood flow, inhibiting atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and also helping to regulate the formation of fat cells. These health benefits significantly reduce the risk of cancerbecause they are associated with improved metabolism. This affects the hormonal function and health of the reproductive organs. All this in combination with the anti-inflammatory properties of quercetin allow red onions to help neutralize free radicals, which contribute to DNA damage, abnormal cell activity and cancer growth.
Health benefits № 4: Inhibits the growth and development of cancer cells
The high levels of quercetin in red onions have been credited in some studies to protect against laryngeal and stomach cancer, as well as reproductive cancers.
Protects against mutant p53 activity
Photo: Zoritsa
Anthocyanins are a natural compound that gives red onion their red hue purple. Anthocyanins act as a powerful antioxidant weapon in the fight against a mutant gene called p53, which causes oxidative stress and is linked to tumor growth. The anthocyanins in red onions naturally inhibit the destruction that the abnormally functioning p53 gene can cause on cells and tissues. The pigmentation compounds in anthocyanins are also partly responsible for the protective effects that red onions exert against tumor growth. Anthocyanins inhibit the ability of cancer cells to migrate and form tumors by inhibiting angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels, which are cancer cells. By inhibiting angiogenesis, cancer cells cannot form tumors or spread to new areas of the body. The superfood quercetin once again reveals its powerful antioxidant potential.
Quercetin is so effective in purifying free radicals that it has the ability to prevent the growth of tumor cells.
Proper processing of red onions
As with many foods, there are tricks to cooking red onionsto get the greatest health benefits. Here are some tips you can use to ensure you get the most nutrients from red onions in the kitchen.
- Most of the anthocyanin content is in the red skin of onions. Avoid garlic and throw away those parts that fight cancer;
- The allicin compound in onions is released only when the onion is chopped or crushed. Like garlic, it is useful to activate the allicin compound by chopping the onion for a few minutes before adding it to recipes;
- The heat breaks down many of the antioxidants in red onions. Think yes cook red onions on low heat and avoid high temperatures to limit nutrient loss.
Eat red onions properly for more benefits
How will you turn it on red onions in the diet your to reduce your risk of cancer? Here is a list of ways you can add red onions to your diet every day:
- Add to chili recipes or use as a side dish;
- Finely chop salads;
- Combine in home-cooked pickled vegetables;
- Add red onion in the last 2 hours, in which bone broth simmers;
- Mix red onion with the traditional yellow onion in French onion soup;
- Prepare cold soups like Gazpacho;
- Lightly saute or roast and use in mixed vegetables for burgers or in dishes with quinoa;
- Cut into salads with chicken and tuna or make homemade salsa;
- Mix raw red onions in Guacamole or other sauces.
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