Shallots are known as a spice with various benefits for the body. What are the benefits of red onions for health? Come on, take a look here. Everyone knows that shallots are a basic spice for various types of dishes. The fragrant aroma and distinctive taste add to the enjoyment of food. However, perhaps only a few know that red onions have such extensive benefits for body health.
People have actually been using shallots for health for a long time. For example, red onions are often used as a medicine for children’s fevers.
Phytotherapy Research studies prove that shallots are a source of antioxidants. Apart from that, there are still a number of benefits of red onions for your body’s health. Here’s the review.
1. Good for heart health
Consuming red onions can support heart health by lowering blood pressure. A 2002 study published in the journal Thrombosis Research showed that sulfur in onions is a component that influences heart health.
2. Has an anti-allergic effect
In a 2019 study published in Pubmed, it was shown that shallots have anti-allergic effects.
In a randomized clinical trial study, the study concluded that oral supplementation of shallots combined with the drug cetirizine provided a better healing effect compared to either drug alone.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the substance quercetin in onions can reduce allergic reactions by stopping the body from producing histamine.
3. Fight Free Radicals
The next benefit of red onions is that it can increase immunity. Yes, the polyphenols in onions function as antioxidants to protect the body from free radicals.
4. Improves the body’s immune system
Eliminating free radicals means that it can help increase and maintain the body’s endurance and immunity. That is why, consuming shallots which is of course balanced with other balanced nutritious foods can prevent you from various diseases.
5. Improves the digestive system
One of the uses of shallots is that they can improve the digestive system. Shallots contain fiber so they help the digestive process. Defecation can also occur regularly.
Not only that, red onions also contain a special type of soluble fiber, oligofructose, to encourage the growth of good bacteria in the intestines.
6. Prevents Diarrhea
Are you experiencing diarrhea? Maybe you could try consuming shallots to overcome this. A 2005 study in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that the oligofructose in red onions can help treat and prevent diarrhea.
7. Regulates Blood Sugar
Did you know that one of the health benefits of red onions is that it can control blood sugar? The chromium in onions has the potential to help regulate blood sugar. Meanwhile, sulfur can help lower blood sugar levels by triggering insulin production.
Research in the journal Environmental Health Insights in 2010 revealed that people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes who consumed red onions showed lower glucose levels for up to 4 hours.
Furthermore, a 2014 analysis in the journal Nutrition found that type 2 diabetes sufferers had lower blood sugar levels when eating onions.
8. Increases Bone Density
A study published in the journal Menopause in 2009 revealed that consuming onions every day has the potential to increase bone density in menopausal women.
Women who eat onions also have a risk of hip fracture that is about 20 percent lower than women who never eat onions.
9. Reduces the risk of cancer
Another benefit of shallots is as cancer prevention. The quercetin substance found in onions may be a good anticancer agent. This compound can inhibit cancer cells in the breast, colon, prostate, endometrium and lungs.
This component can stop cancer by several mechanisms, such as inducing apoptosis (cancer cell death), maintaining the cell cycle, and others.
10. Contains antioxidants
The antioxidant content in shallots and other plants of the Allium genus can play a role in various stages of formation, growth, differentiation, and metastasis of cancer cells. This hypothesis was mentioned in a study by Asemani Y et al in 2019 which was published on Pubmed.
11. Reduces the risk of arthritis
Onions have various properties that may help reduce the risk and symptoms of arthritis. With its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties, shallots can be a beneficial addition to your diet to maintain healthy joints.
Don’t forget to include shallots regularly in your diet to get optimal health benefits.
12. Maintain eye health
Red onions contain antioxidants which can protect your eyes from damage caused by free radicals. Shallots have various benefits for eye health, including protecting against macular degeneration, cataracts, and maintaining healthy eye blood vessels.
By consuming red onions regularly, you can help keep your eyes healthy.
13. Heals Wounds
Shallots have various benefits in wound healing thanks to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties and ability to increase collagen production and blood circulation.
By using shallots properly, you can speed up the healing process and prevent infection in wounds. However, always pay attention to cleanliness and consider the condition of the wound before using this method.
14. Reduces the risk of gallstones
Shallots have various benefits that can help reduce the risk of gallstone formation.
With anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, sulfur compound content, and its ability to increase bile production and reduce cholesterol levels.
Combining onions with other healthy lifestyle habits can help keep your gallbladder healthy and free of gallstones.
15 Improve Hair Health
Shallots have various benefits for hair health, from increasing hair growth, reducing hair loss, to treating dandruff and preventing premature graying.
By using shallots in hair care, you can get healthier, stronger and shinier hair. Don’t hesitate to add shallots to your hair care routine and experience the benefits.
There are many potential health benefits of shallots. Hopefully, with more studies regarding shallots being carried out, the use of shallots for health can become more widespread.