^

Onions

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Onions are a source of vitamins, calcium, zinc, fluorine, iron, nickel and even essential oils. This vegetable is also rich in iron. You can get it from raw, fried, baked and stewed onions.

The vegetable can stimulate appetite, improve digestion, and has an antiseptic and antibacterial effect. In addition, it perfectly combats low blood pressure and prevents the development of cancer cells.

Varieties of onions

There are such varieties of onions as hot, semi-hot, sweet and shallot. But this is only a general classification. In fact, each group contains more than one variety.

Semi-sharp varieties include those vegetables that have the largest number of scales. Onions of this group are not dense, so you need to be careful when harvesting so as not to damage them. Sweet varieties of vegetables have excellent taste qualities, they can give a good harvest. This type is grown exclusively in the southern regions.

The hot variety of the vegetable is early maturing and less productive. Such onions can be stored for a long time, due to the high content of essential oils and sugars. The hot variety of onion is covered with several layers of scales at once, so it is harvested exclusively with the help of agricultural machinery.

Shallot includes more than one type. There are both semi-hot and hot vegetables. The main distinguishing feature of this variety is the possibility of growing even in the cold season. It can be planted before winter, the vegetable is cold-blooded.

In fact, there are quite a lot of varieties of this vegetable, there are about 400 species. Therefore, for true gourmets, there is always something to choose from. Onions are a source of useful substances and simply a pleasant addition to any dish.

Properties of onions

Few people know that the properties of onions can be both useful and healing. This vegetable has good bactericidal and antiseptic properties. It fights viruses well, promotes the absorption of food and increases the body's resistance to many infections.

This vegetable is widely used for gastrointestinal disorders. It helps to cope with atherosclerosis, general weakness during colds, decreased sexual activity, etc.

In medicine, it is used to combat scurvy and is widely used as an antihelminthic. Fresh juice of this vegetable with honey can cure bronchitis, cough and even fungal skin disease. This ingredient is also recommended for use in dermatitis, to remove warts and calluses.

This vegetable has many useful properties, and all because it contains quite a few active components. This means that it is necessary to eat onions. After all, it can eliminate many diseases and prevent their development.

Nutritional value of onions

What is the nutritional value of onions or how much benefit is contained in one vegetable. So, an onion can contain a gram of ash, 0.1 grams of starch, 8 grams of mono- and disaccharides, 86 grams of water, 0.2 grams of organic acids.

It mainly contains useful components such as vitamin PP, H, E, C, B9, B6, B5, B2 and B1. This vegetable contains the most vitamin C, which is as much as 10 mg. The other components are contained in smaller amounts.

In addition to vitamins, mineral substances are also located here. Thus, this is nickel - 476 mcg, nickel - 3 mcg, aluminum - 400 mcg, chromium, boron, fluorine, manganese and copper. Naturally, there is iodine, zinc, iron, potassium and sodium.

For an ordinary vegetable, this is a very rich composition. Because not all root vegetables have such properties. It can relieve many diseases and at the same time prevent the development of new ones. Therefore, you should not neglect the use of this vegetable. Onions are a storehouse of vitamins, useful minerals and other components important for the human body.

Caloric content of onions

Those who are always afraid of gaining weight need to know the caloric content of onions. No, it is not high, but nevertheless, it is still worth having this knowledge.

So, in 100 grams of this vegetable, in addition to a huge amount of vitamins and minerals, there are carbohydrates and proteins. The nutritional value of the vegetable does not exceed 41 Kcal. Therefore, there is clearly no need to worry about extra centimeters on the waist.

100 grams contain only one gram of protein and 9 grams of carbohydrates. So, there are no harmful effects or anything else here. You can eat it in any quantities, the main thing is that no harm is caused. Because some people should reduce their consumption of this vegetable. Otherwise, there is a risk of increasing the acidity of the body and significantly raising blood pressure.

In general, there can be no reason to worry. This vegetable is healthy, inexpensive, and also low in calories. So, there is definitely no point in looking for shortcomings in this product. After all, not a single vegetable can boast such useful properties.

trusted-source[ 1 ]

Contraindications to the use of onions

The main contraindications to the use of onions are related to some of its components. Thus, people with heart disease and liver problems should be wary of this vegetable. After all, this product is spicy, and it is quite capable of damaging the mucous membrane if there is already any inflammation there. In addition, spicy foods negatively affect the work of the heart, which is why some people should not eat this vegetable.

The most harmless contraindication may be an unpleasant smell from the mouth. The fact is that it is not so easy to remove. Therefore, if a serious meeting is planned, it is better not to eat this vegetable.

As mentioned above, it has a very negative effect on the heart. It can also cause asthma and increase blood pressure. This happens due to irritation of the nervous system.

Abuse of it can make you sleepy, besides, the vegetable is harmful for metabolism, because it promotes the formation of gases and mucus. Despite the fact that the vegetable is an excellent way to get rid of many ailments, it can also cause them.

Chemical composition of onions

The chemical composition of onions is also rich. Thus, here you can find both vitamins and minerals. Onions are a source of vitamins of group B and C. In addition, it contains essential oils, as well as zinc, fluorine, iodine, iron, copper, cobalt, nickel and other components.

That is why onions help to cope with many diseases. The vegetable is enriched with iron. You can get this element in full from any variety of this product. Simply put, no matter in what form a person eats this vegetable. It will still be beneficial. The useful components do not evaporate during cooking.

This product is also rich in potassium, which has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. The green feathers of the vegetable contain a lot of folic acid and biotin. Onion juice is simply overflowing with vitamins, essential oils and carbohydrates. It is worth noting that the spicier the vegetable, the more useful components it contains.

The composition of onions is truly incredible. Therefore, we can talk about its beneficial properties endlessly. So if you need to cure any diseases, you should consider onions as the main medicine.

trusted-source[ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Onions during pregnancy

Can you eat onions during pregnancy? There are no restrictions in this regard and there cannot be. After all, it contains a huge number of different vitamins, minerals and other elements. Therefore, onions should even be eaten during pregnancy.

The only negative factor is the unpleasant smell from the mouth. And even then, getting rid of it is quite simple. After all, the body of a pregnant girl is rebuilding itself - it is preparing for the process of childbirth. In the first months of pregnancy, the immune system weakens and it needs to be supported in every possible way. In this regard, this vegetable will help perfectly. It is rich in vitamin C, which significantly strengthens the immune system.

Vitamins of group B and PP have a beneficial effect on the development of the fetus. Thus, not only the condition of the mother's body improves, but also the child's. Therefore, you should not neglect the use of this vegetable. It has a positive effect. Because onions are a source of useful vitamins, as well as a powerful tool in the fight against many diseases and viruses.

Onions during breastfeeding

Usually, onions do not pose any danger during breastfeeding. However, there are some precautions. For example, many products can enter the baby's body with the mother's milk. Therefore, it is still worth thinking about consuming some of them.

So, during breastfeeding, it is not recommended to eat spicy foods. Because milk can change its taste and the child will not like it very much. He may simply refuse milk. Moreover, do not forget that onions and garlic do not always have a beneficial effect on the stomach. As for the baby's digestive organs, they are clearly not ready for spicy food.

From all of the above, only one conclusion can be drawn: this product cannot be consumed during breastfeeding. It can change the taste of milk and also negatively affect the mother's body. Therefore, it is still worth considering these nuances. After all, onions are not such a simple vegetable as they may seem at first glance.

Allergy to onions

In some cases, an allergy to onions may occur. But this occurs mainly in childhood. Why does this happen? The fact is that it has a rich composition. This is why some types of allergies may manifest themselves.

So, people who suffer from vitamin C intolerance should not eat it, because this vegetable contains a lot of it. Sometimes the chemicals in the composition cause such a reaction. Naturally, they do not just get into the vegetable. Most likely, we are talking about unscrupulous cultivation of this plant. As a result, harmful substances got there.

In its pure form, allergies do not occur. This is mainly preceded by the content of vitamins and minerals. After all, some people have an allergic reaction not only to vitamin C, but also to vitamin A. Therefore, before giving this product to a baby, it is worth finding out whether he has an allergy or not. Because otherwise, it can lead to serious consequences. Onions can adversely affect the child's body, this fact should be taken into account.

How to store onions?

The most common and well-known method is to put onions in tights. Firstly, a lot will fit, and secondly, it is convenient to store.

In addition, it is worth paying attention to wooden boxes. You can put the product in them and send it to a dark place. The main thing is that the vegetable does not have the opportunity to grow, for this it is necessary to observe certain conditions.

Wicker baskets will perfectly cope with the storage function. No special conditions, it just pours out into the designated place and that's it. Fabric bags and special nets for vegetables are suitable as storage.

Naturally, the best way is to store it in nylon stockings. However, you shouldn't put the vegetable on the ground. It is advisable to find a good place where you can hang it.

These simple ones can help keep the vegetable fresh throughout the cold season. Onions are not picky about storage conditions and options.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.