Onions are an integral part of many cuisines of the world and is a widespread vegetable. It can be consumed in different forms - raw, boiled, baked, fried. Consider the calorie content and composition of raw onions, the usefulness and harm of raw and boiled product, contraindications, especially its consumption.
Did you know? How many calories a vegetable contains is affected by its processing. There are 44 kilocalories in boiled onion, and 208 in dried onion. The tinned version of it is 19 kcal the least.
Calorie content
In 100 grams of raw onion is 36-40 kcal. BZHU in 100 g:
- proteins - 1.1 g;
- fats - 0.1 g;
- carbohydrates - 7.64 g.
The chemical composition of onions
The following vitamins are found in 100 grams of fresh product:
- beta-carotene - 1 mcg;
- lutein + zeaxanthin - 4 mcg;
- B1 - 46 mcg;
- B2 - 27 mcg;
- B4 - 6.1 mg;
- B5 - 0.123 mg;
- B6 - 0.12 mg;
- B9 - 0.019 mg;
- C 7.4 mg;
- E - 0.02 mg;
- K - 0.4 μg;
- PP - 0.116 mg;
- betaine - 0.1 mg.
Important! When treating with this vegetable, consult a doctor. Onions reduce the effect of certain medications.
Minerals:
- potassium - 146 mg;
- calcium - 23 mg;
- magnesium - 10 mg;
- sodium - 4 mg;
- phosphorus - 29 mg;
- iron - 0.21 mg;
- Manganese - 0.129 mg;
- copper - 0.39 mg;
- selenium - 0.5 mcg;
- fluorine - 1.1 mcg;
- zinc - 0.17 mg.
Benefit and harm
Onions are useful in any form. After heat treatment, it contains slightly less vitamins, but the same amount of mineral components. Consider the usefulness and possible harm of a raw and cooked product.
Raw onions
Of course, onions that have not undergone heat treatment are most useful, because they contain more nutrients.
- Its use brings the following benefits:
- suppresses pathogenic microflora (viruses, bacteria);
- increases the body's defenses;
- improves metabolic processes;
- has an anthelmintic effect;
- stimulates appetite and promotes digestion;
- positively affects the genitourinary sphere;
- removes bad cholesterol;
- good effect on the functioning of the pancreas;
- can be used as an expectorant;
- is the prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
The crude version irritates the mucous membranes and has more contraindications, which will be listed in the same section below.
Did you know? The ancient Egyptians consumed onions as food, and a lot of this vegetable was eaten by the builders of the pyramids. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus noted that on the pyramid of Cheops there was an inscription that 1,600 talents of silver were spent to buy onions, garlic and radish for them.
Boiled onion
When cooking, an insignificant part of vitamins is destroyed and the product has almost the same beneficial properties as without processing. At the same time, boiled onion is a dietary product, since it does not have such an irritating effect on the mucous membranes as raw. It has a much less tangy taste and can be used in baby food and consumed by lactating women. It is not contraindicated in pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal diseases.
In diseases of the pancreas, it is even useful to include it in the diet. But with exacerbations of gastrointestinal diseases and some severe forms of gastric disease (erosive or atrophic gastritis), onions should be avoided in any form. With a stomach ulcer, a very small amount can be consumed. It should be excluded with individual intolerance and allergies. Overuse of this product can cause flatulence and abdominal pain.
Features of use
It is worth noting that regular consumption of onions in food positively affects the whole body, it strengthens the immune system and gives vitality.
Important! If there are digestive problems with the introduction of the raw product, it is better to wait, as it irritates the gastrointestinal mucosa.
For men
The constant consumption of onions by males increases potency, enhances libido, and has a good effect on seed quality. This product is also an excellent prophylaxis against prostate adenoma. This vegetable is often included in food for many diseases, as it has an anti-inflammatory effect, is a diuretic and prevents the appearance of tumor formations.
This product not only inhibits the appearance and development of adenoma, but also improves overall well-being due to an increase in the immune system. Onion peel helps well with certain symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A decoction of it reduces pain sensations when taken regularly. At the same time, a freshly prepared broth is taken. Moreover, the best result is a mixture of onions with honey or other bee products.
For women
Onions are recommended to be included in the menu for women who want to conceive a child, since this product in its composition has enough zinc, which helps normalize reproductive function. The vegetable also contains a lot of iron, so it must be consumed with low hemoglobin. This product is relevant in the diet of a pregnant and lactating woman (boiled), because it contains vitamin B9, which is required for the normal development of the fetus.
The vitamins and antioxidants contained in this vegetable contribute not only to better health, but also to a better look, and to weight loss. Women use this vegetable for cosmetic purposes. From it at home you can prepare a face mask. To do this, use the product or its juice in raw form or in combination with other products. Onion juice without additives smooths and brightens the skin well, an excellent remedy for skin pigmentation.
This product helps to strengthen and grow hair, helps with hair loss and fights against dandruff. A decoction of onion peel gives the hair a golden hue, and also nourishes the hair, makes it shiny. The only drawback is that when used for cosmetic purposes, such a vegetable gives a specific smell. But after a while it is still dispelled, therefore, in order to get a good result, you can not pay attention to it.
Did you know? Onions contain more sugar than apples and pears. Slices of this vegetable contain about 6% sugar. Therefore, when frying it, when the substances that make it caustic break down, the vegetable acquires a sweetish aftertaste.
For children
Dietitians recommend including this vegetable in a children's diet. It improves appetite and digestive process, strengthens bones and blood vessels. Such a product is just a storehouse of vitamins for the child’s body, it contains vitamins C and E. The juice of onions with warm milk helps children to fall asleep soundly, and all dishes using raw vegetables are excellent prevention against worms without side effects.
However, children should be introduced to this vegetable by first giving them a cooked product. Boiled vegetable can be given to babies from 8 months. It is usually given in mashed vegetable soups. It goes well with potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, carrots. In the first soup of the baby, you can add a small amount - a quarter of a small onion. A raw product can be introduced into a child’s diet no earlier than three years of age. It is best to add it to salads.
Contraindications for the human body
- There are contraindications to the use of this product in its raw form:
- pancreatitis
- gastrointestinal ulcers, gastritis;
- individual intolerance;
- increased nervous irritability;
- with exacerbations of diseases of the kidneys, heart and liver.
Useful Cooking Tips
There are such recommendations for the use of onions:
- So that the peeled and cut head of the vegetable does not dry, it should be put in a slice on a platter of salt. You can also store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. You can also grease another section of the cut - this will also keep the bulb fresh.
- So that this vegetable does not cause tears with its burning sensation, you need to cut it by lowering your hands with onions into a container with cool water.
- If the onion is processed near the included plate, the eyes will not watery. You can also rinse the knife with cold water to get rid of lacrimation.
- Frozen vegetables should not be brought in a warm place to avoid spoilage. Such a product should be immediately used in food. Before use, it must be immersed for 3 hours in cold water, then its taste will not change.
- So that after working with such a product your hands do not smell, you can wipe them with salt, a weak solution of vinegar or coffee grounds, and then wash them with warm water and soap. To prevent the knife from smelling of onion, it must also be wiped with salt.
- For slicing, it is better to use a plastic board, since it does not absorb onion juice like it does from wood.
- To prepare the soup, the vegetable is finely chopped or fried. Do not throw the whole head in the soup. For roasting, the onion is also cut into cubes, not rings.
- A broth of onion peels can tint the broth. In addition, this will make the soup more nutritious and healthy.
- If the vegetable was taken for a salad, then you can remove the bitterness from him by placing it in a colander and pouring boiling water over it. To reduce the bitterness, the chopped vegetable is washed in cool water.
- If you fry the onion a little with powdered sugar, then it will be tastier and will find a beautiful golden crust.
- So that when frying the chopped vegetable does not burn and has a pleasant appearance, it can be dipped in flour on the eve of the process.
- When extinguishing, put this product out with a layer of not more than 4 cm.
- For the preparation of salads, it is better to take sweet varieties of this vegetable.
- In a marinated form it is used for salads, as a side dish for cold fish, especially herring, as well as cold meat.
Raw onion has a lot of useful properties and is very useful, but does not apply to dietary nutrition. For many gastrointestinal problems, children and lactating women should consume a cooked product that contains slightly less useful substances, but is not so irritating to the mucous membranes.
