Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Secret Diet Tips Revealed - The Underrated Super Food

The humble onion has to be one of the most simple foods, yet did you know how amazingly powerful, and beneficial it is to your health and well-being?

You probably already know that onions are very good to help with curing coughs and colds - this is due to the vitamins C, D & E, that it contains. This combination of vitamins are very effective for helping to boost your immune system, and help to reduce inflammation, so can help to clear catarrh and help your breathing by opening up your airways.

However, onions have far more benefits that just helping the common cold. They also contain chromium and a variety of sulfides. Chromium helps to improve insulin and maintain stable blood sugar levels. The sulfides help lower blood lipids and lower blood pressure as well. Sulfides also help to protect the body against tumour growth, so regular consumption of onions can help reduce the risk of developing a range of cancers.

If this was not incredible enough, the benefits continue. Onions contain flavonoids which help to protect the body against cardiovascular disease. The highest concentration of flavonoids are contained in the outer layers (once the skin is removed) so try not to over peel an onion, else most of the benefits will be lost.

Onions also contain fructooligosaccharides which stimulates the growth of good bacteria and helps to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria in the colon. They can help fight bacteria including E.Coli & salmonella.

Due to it's antibacterial properties, onions can help relieve insect bites or stings. Simply crush an onion, collect the juice and apply it to the sting/bite to help relieve the discomfort.

As well as having anti-bacterial properties, onions also contain anti fungal & anti-parasitic properties, so onions can help combat Candida infections. Onions can also help to flush excess fluids from the body, so can help aid with water retention.

To obtain the full benefit from onions, it is best to eat them raw where possible, although adding onions to stews, soups or onions can still help as the goodness will be absorbed by the fluid in the stew/soup.

The onion is a truly remarkable vegetable, and low in calorific content (around 55 calories for a medium-sized onion), so why not make yourself an onion, tomato and avocado salad or some onion soup and start harnessing the power of the onion to help improve your health today.

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