Onions and garlic are versatile bulb-shaped vegetables that posses multiple health properties. You can buy garlic in whole cloves and in powdered or extract forms. Onions are available in several sizes and colors including yellow, white and red. Like garlic, onions are also available in powdered form. While some research suggests that eating onions and garlic can be beneficial to your health, neither onion or garlic consumption has not been conclusively proved to effectively treat or prevent any specific health problem.
Flavor
Onions and garlic each possess a distinct, powerful taste that can enhance the flavor of a wide variety of meals. Onions and garlic can be chopped up and used as cooking ingredients and as seasonings for foods like pastas, rice, sauces, meat and breads. Onions can also be prepared as a delicious diner dish alone. Fried onion rings remain a favorite appetizer dish at many popular restaurants.
Generous Nutritional Content
In addition to being rich in taste, onions and garlic are also rich in a wide array of vital nutrients. According to the National Cancer Institute, garlic contains healthy substances like sulfur, selenium, arginine, flavanoids and oligosaccharides. Onions contain valuable vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6, zinc, potassium, protein, folic acid, fiber, calcium, selenium and vitamin C. Onions also contain high levels of a powerful flavanoid known as quercetin.
Cancer Prevention
The flavanoid compounds found in onions and garlic act as antioxidants. Antioxidants work in your body to help stop your cells from being bombarded by destructive molecules called free radicals. According to the National Onion Association, some research studies suggest that the flavanoid quercetin and the phytochemicals found in onions may possess anti-cancer properties. According to the National Cancer Institute, some research studies have shown that increased garlic consumption may help reduce your risks of developing certain types of cancers. This includes breast, pancreas, stomach, esophagus and colon cancers. However, research does not yet prove conclusively that consuming onions or garlic can successfully prevent any specific type of cancer.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Eating onions and garlic can help to promote a healthy cardiovascular system. According to New Mexico State University, some studies have shown that compounds found in onions called organosulfur compounds may have the ability to bring down high cholesterol and blood pressure levels in some individuals. The flavanoids found in onions and garlic can also help improve your cardiovascular function. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, garlic is often used to help improve cardiovascular conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. However, research does not yet prove conclusively that consuming onions or garlic can successfully prevent or treat any specific cardiovascular disorder.
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