Shallots and a myriad of health benefits

Almost all Indonesian foods use shallots as a spice in their cooking. Yes, red onion is a basic spice that should not be missing in your kitchen. Not only does it make food tastier and tastier, red onions also have health benefits. What are the benefits of this red onion?

Nutritional content in red onions

Before knowing what are the benefits of red onions, you must first know the nutritional content in this onion. The following is the nutritional content:

• Calories: has a low calorie content, 28 grams of onion contains only 11 calories
• Macronutrients: consisting mostly of carbohydrates and water, while containing no fat at all.
• Vitamins and minerals: The high content of vitamins is vitamin C and vitamin B6, while the most abundant mineral is chromium.
• Glycemic index: shallots include foods that have a low glycemic index level, which only reaches 10.

Health benefits of onions

The red onion, which is the brother of garlic, has many health benefits. What are the benefits of red onions?

1. Help prevent cancer

Shallots contain a substance called quercetin. Quercetin is a natural substance that makes onions their dark red color. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, quercetin is an antioxidant that plays an important role in fighting the effects of harmful free radicals in the body. One of the effects of free radical buildup is cancer.

Antioxidants such as quercetin can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. A study conducted on animals showed that the quercetin substance in onions was able to prevent the growth of lung cancer cells, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer.

2. Lower blood pressure

In the journal Pharmacological Reports published in 2009, it was also stated that the quercetin substance which is quite high in red onions can reduce high blood pressure. A person who has high blood pressure is at risk for various degenerative diseases, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and diabetes mellitus.

3. Helps normalize blood sugar levels

High blood sugar levels are proven to cause diabetes mellitus. Even according to the Center for Disease Control Prevention, high blood sugar levels are the source of all degenerative diseases and chronic diseases.

In a study conducted in the Sudanese region, people with type one and type two diabetes mellitus who consumed raw shallots were shown to have normal blood sugar levels compared to those who did not. Another study published in Environmental Health Insight, also proves the same thing that red onions can indeed lower blood sugar levels.

Experts concluded that this onion can indeed increase insulin levels and help the glycolysis process in diabetics which causes a decrease in blood sugar levels.

4. Lowering body cholesterol

A journal reported in Phytotherapy Research states that onions are useful for lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. Studies conducted on these animals show that a diet containing food with lots of onions can reduce total cholesterol levels in the body.

Experts believe the reduction in cholesterol that occurs is due to the content of antioxidants and other bioactive substances in the onions which can directly reduce the total fat in the body.

5. Strengthens the immune system

The polyphenol content in onion plants contains antioxidants that can protect the body from free radicals, said Anne Mauney, a dietitian in Washington, DC The ability of onions to eliminate free radicals in the body can help promote a strong immune system.

In addition, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the quercetin content in onions can also reduce allergic reactions by stopping your body from producing histamine. Histamine is a substance that makes you sneeze, cry and itch if you have an allergic reaction.

6. Good for diet food ingredients

Red onions are great to be used as an ingredient in your healthy diet. although not a super nutrient food, this red onion contains moderate amounts of essential nutrients such as potassium.

Potassium is a mineral that is linked to heart health. In addition, there is also iron which can increase the circulation of oxygen circulation in the blood.

Although the amount of these nutrients is not too much in the onion content. However, this can still improve the overall functioning of the body from the food you eat.

7. Contains vitamin C

Red onions are a food that is a good source of vitamin C. In the range of 100 grams of onions, it contains 10 percent of the vitamin C that the body needs daily.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble essential vitamin that your body needs to make collagen. Please note, that collagen is important for the body. Collagen is a protein that helps wound healing and functions to support health and immunity.

8. Contains protein that can support body health

Shallots contain not too much protein. Per serving of onions weighing 148 grams there is only 1 gram of protein. However, these onions can be used as a complement to foods such as raw chili sauce, for seasoning fried rice recipes, or other foods.

The protein in red onions is nutritious both for maintaining and building healthy body tissue cells.

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