Onion is the most popular vegetable used in cooking and cosmetology; it can be of several colors, including red or white. What is the difference between red and white onions, as well as their features of application and chemical composition, we will consider below.

Description and characteristics of red and white onions

The white variety of vegetables is one of the varieties of onions and does not occur in the wild, its root system does not take root deeply in the soil and is presented in the form of elongated threads. The length of the feathers reaches 100 cm in height, the weight of the vegetable is a maximum of 200 g, depending on the variety.

Most often, the vegetable has a spherical shape, less often oblong fruits. Unlike ordinary onions, in which the skin color is golden yellow, white flakes have a white, gray or cream shade. The taste is delicate, without excessive bitterness and pungency, so this variety is grown for salads.

Red onion has a sweet taste without bitterness. The peel can be red or purple, the flesh is white and pink. Rhizome is threadlike, deeply rooted. Feathers reach 35 cm, weight - up to 250 g. The shape of this variety is spherical, slightly flattened at the rhizome and apex.

What is the difference between white onion and red?

The red and white fetus have differences in:

• external signs;
• effects on the body;
• storage periods.

Did you know? The inhabitants of ancient Greece believed that onion culture was sacred, so during the festivities they tried to present the most enormous fruit to the gods.

First of all, these types of vegetables vary in taste - white is sweeter than red. The color scheme of fruits is also different - white varieties have a cream shade, and red varieties are painted in purple-pink tones. The shape of the vegetables also has visible differences: white has a clear outline of the ball, and the purple fruit can be oblong, spherical or have a shape flattened at the edges.

Red (purple) onions can lower blood sugar, therefore it is indicated for diabetes. Eating white onions will help lower cholesterol.

White onion has a short shelf life, which reaches a maximum of 3 months from the date of collection. Vegetables are very susceptible to rot, so this variety is eaten first. Purple onions have a shelf life of up to 6 months.

Chemical composition

The chemical composition of any type of onion is unique due to the high content of vitamins, minerals and essential oils and is useful for the human body.

White onion

Calorie content of the product - 45 kcal per 100 g.

Consists of:

• protein - 1.5 g;
• carbohydrates - 11 g.

The vegetable contains such vitamins and acids:

• ascorbic acid - 10 mg;
• Vitamin E - 0.2 mg;
• thiamine - 0.5 mg;
• riboflavin - 0.02 mg;
• pyridoxine - 0.1 mg;
• pantothenic acid - 0.1 mg;
• folic acid - 9 mg;
• nicotinic acid - 0.5 mg.

Minerals contained in a white vegetable:

• phosphorus - 175 mg;
• sulfur - 65 mg;
• phosphorus - 58 mg;
• calcium - 31 mg;
• magnesium - 14 mg.

Red onion

100 g of fresh produce contains 42 kcal, which accounts for:

• proteins - 1.4 g;
• carbohydrates - 9.1 g.

Vitamin composition of the purple vegetable:

• ascorbic acid - 10 mg;
• thiamine - 0.05 mg;
• pyridoxine - 0.1 mg;
• riboflavin - 0.1 mg;
• Vitamin E - 0.2 mg;
• folic acid - 9 mg.

Mineral composition:

• chromium - 42 mg;
• zinc - 0.95 mg;
• magnesium - 14 mg;
• calcium - 31 mg;
• iron - 0.8 mg;
• sulfur - 65 mg.

Useful properties and contraindications

• The benefits of white onion:
• due to the high content of iron salts it is used in case of anemia to increase hemoglobin;
• contributes to the production of insulin;
• due to its low calorie content it is used in diet menus for weight loss;
• normalizes the digestive system;
• has an antiseptic effect, therefore it is used in the treatment of abscesses and wounds;
• helps to lower cholesterol;
• helps to accelerate the growth of the hair bulb with baldness;
• thanks to volatile, it has an antibacterial effect and copes with viral diseases.

Contraindicated in gastritis with high acidity, as well as peptic ulcer and pancreatitis due to the high content of ascorbic acid. Eating a vegetable can cause an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity.

Important! Due to poorly formed gastrointestinal tract, onions in raw form are not recommended for use by children under 2 years old.

• Useful properties of purple onions:
• due to antiseptic properties it is used for colds;
• the high content of antioxidants allows you to use a vegetable for healing purulent wounds;
• eating allows you to enrich the body with B vitamins, which are involved in the construction of muscle and nerve fibers;
• Vitamin E content improves skin structure and stimulates hair growth;
• due to sulfur compounds reduces the level of intoxication in the body;
• carotene has an antihistamine effect, which reduces the allergic reaction in allergy sufferers;
• increases the acidity of the stomach, contributing to the easy digestion of food;
• has an anthelmintic effect.

Red onion juice can negatively affect the gastric mucosa, which with uncontrolled use of the vegetable will lead to heartburn and diarrhea.

Application features

The vegetable has a bactericidal effect, which helps the human body cope with viral infections, and phytoncides released into the air contribute to the destruction of fungi and diphtheria bacillus.

The antioxidant effect allows the use of white and red varieties as part of anti-aging face masks - bactericidal properties relieve inflammation in acne and prevent the appearance of new acne.

The product is widely used in culinary art and is part of a huge number of first and second courses.

In folk medicine

The vegetable is indispensable for women's health, it is used for menstrual irregularities.

It is necessary to take a decoction of the husks of red onion varieties, which is prepared according to the following recipe:

1. A mixture of cloves (30 g) and husks (90 g) pour 500 g of water.
2. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. After cooling, decant.
4. Take 100 g in the morning and evening for 7 days.

For men, the vegetable is a natural aphrodisiac: its daily use in raw form of 50 g each contributes to a better erection. White juice (200 g), mixed with 200 g of honey, is used to prevent prostatic hypertrophy - it is taken orally for 30 days in the morning and evening - 30 g.

Important! You should not use onion fumes as inhalations for asthma, because a pungent smell can provoke shortness of breath.

1. Chop 200 g of purple vegetable.
2. Pour 200 warm water.
3. After 8 hours, decant infusion.
4. Drink on an empty stomach for 5 days.

Application in folk medicine of onion gruel:

1. Rubbing red onion pulp in an amount of 50 g into the hair roots once a week - stimulates hair growth and prevents the appearance of dandruff.
2. The application of white vegetable gruel on acne and purulent wounds (2 mm layer) will contribute to the disinfection and quick regeneration of damaged areas.
3. A mask of white onion gruel 30 g and 30 g honey, applied for 15 minutes, will help relieve inflammation in acne and will have a rejuvenating effect.
4. Onion gruel of both types is applied to the temples with migraines.
5. Topical application of the crushed violet vegetable on mosquito bites will reduce inflammation and stop itching.

In cooking

White and purple onion varieties are universal in the food industry. The product is used in the preservation of mushrooms and vegetables, and is also used in the fermentation of cabbage. Its use is possible in fried, boiled and raw form.

Vegetable is indispensable for cooking:

• soups;
• sauces;
• pies;
• side dishes;
• pickles.

Due to its rich vitamin and mineral composition, varieties of white and red onions are beneficial for the human body. The use of the vegetable for medicinal purposes is a simple and affordable way to get rid of many diseases.