Despite the rather specific smell and taste, onions are not only one of the most common vegetable crops in the world, but also a very useful product. But is it possible to use it for various diseases, for example, for diabetes, you will learn in this article.
Characteristics and chemical composition of onions
Bow - This is one of the oldest vegetable crops on Earth. Varietal varieties exist very much, some of the best are: Arzamas, Spanish, Besson.
Vegetables themselves and their leaves (green onions) are used as:
- seasonings for preservation, vegetable (salads, casseroles, etc., etc.) and meat dishes;
- spicy-vitamin, flavoring for soups, minced meat, gravy and sauces.
The chemical structure of onions is characterized by a high level of protein (1.1 g), fiber (1.7 g), carbohydrates (9.34 g), lipids and amino acids. Irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes (conjunctiva) and nose provokes a specific essential oil with a pungent odor and caustic lacrimator substances.
Did you know? In ancient Greece, onions were used to treat rheumatism, the "disease of the kings" - gout, as well as in the fight against obesity. In addition, onion-honey mixture was a good anti-aging agent, and the Greeks buried juice in their eyes to see better and more clearly.
The vitamin composition of the vegetable crop is as follows:
Vitamin | Mass of substance |
A (Retinol) | 1 mcg |
B1 (Thiamine) | 0.05 mg |
B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.03 mg |
B3, or PP (Niacin) | 0.12 mg |
B4 (Choline) | 6.1 mg |
B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.12 mg |
B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.12 mg |
B9 (Folic Acid) | 19 mcg |
C (ascorbic acid) | 7.4 mg |
E (tocopherol) | 0.04 mcg |
K (phylloquinone) | 0.4 mcg |
In addition, the product contains a significant amount of micro and macro elements:
Micro / macro element | Mass of substance |
Fe (Iron) | 0.21 mg |
Mg (Magnesium) | 10 mg |
P (Phosphorus) | 29 mg |
K (Potassium) | 146 mg |
Na (Sodium) | 4 mg |
Zn (Zinc) | 0.17 mg |
Cu (Copper) | 0.04 mg |
Mn (Manganese) | 0.13 mg |
Se (Selenium) | 0.5 mcg |
F (fluorine) | 1.1 mcg |
Onion Properties
Turnip is famous for its unique healing properties, but for some people there are restrictions on the use of vegetables.
Benefits and healing properties
- Useful qualities of onions, especially red:
- normalization of the water-salt balance in the body;
- improvement of the digestive system (increased appetite, secretion of gastric juice);
- immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, tonic effect;
- antisclerotic, antidiabetic, bactericidal properties;
- stimulation of sexual desire;
- anthelmintic;
- diuretic and mild laxative effect.
Important! Heat treatment of onions does not affect the healing properties of the product, with the exception of the evaporation of essential substances, which give the vegetable a specific sharp taste and smell.
Harm and possible contraindications
- Restrictions in use must be observed for those who have:
- personal intolerance to onions, or its individual components;
- kidney and liver disease;
- chronic bloating;
- digestive system inflammation;
- some diseases of the heart and blood vessels, for example, acquired defects of the heart muscle.
Can I eat onions with type 2 diabetes and how much?
Spicy vegetable culture is a source of nutrients, regardless of the method of its preparation. However, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are recommended to consume the vegetable only in baked form.
Its main action - decrease and normalization of glucose level in human blood. Sulfur, as one of the most useful components of a vegetable, activates the production of insulin by the pancreas and increases the activity of food glands.Bake vegetables in the oven is better cut into several parts and unpeeled from onion husks.
Two ways to use:
- for a month - every morning, on an empty stomach, in the amount of 1-1.5 bulbs;
- within 2 weeks - 5 onions divided into 3 meals per day, before consuming the main amount of food.
Important! When choosing a bulb, pay attention to its hardness. Good and fresh vegetables are medium in size, dry, have a characteristic color (golden, red or purple), without spots.
Diabetics also note that treating baked onions is more enjoyable than consuming fresh vegetables. The absence of a pungent smell and taste, as well as the subsequent long “aftertaste” in the mouth, is what is most suitable. A pleasant, slightly sweet taste of baked turnip will appeal to even the most avid haters of vegetables.
It’s worth considering that treatment with a spicy culture is not the only way to maintain the body of a diabetic - before use it is recommended to consult with your doctor in order to exclude all kinds of risks and contraindications.
The recipe for baked onions in type 2 diabetes
In order to prepare a tasty and healthy diabetic onion dish, you need to take the following ingredients and auxiliaries:
- medium-sized vegetables (5 pcs.);
- salt (pinch);
- vegetable, or olive oil (2-3 tablespoons);
- baking foil.
Instructions for cooking.
- Cut off the remains of roots and tops of vegetables.
- To clear the turnip of dirt on the husk, or remove the top layer altogether.
- Cut each onion into four parts.
- Salt, drizzle with oil, mix.
- On a piece of foil placed on a baking sheet, lay the slices of vegetable with cut sides, cover on top with another layer of foil.
- Place the pan in a preheated, up to 180 °, oven for 30 minutes.
Did you know? The Latin word "Allium" called the vegetable culture a naturalist Karl Linnaeus. He associated the name of the vegetable with the Celtic word "all," which meant "burning." Indeed, onions are not only burning in smell and taste, but also in their fat-burning properties: nutritionists around the world recommend using onion soup for obesity.
Onion storage recommendations
In order for the vegetable to bring maximum benefits in use, not only for diabetics, but also for other people, it must be properly stored. Optimum temperature indicators - + 18 ... 24 ° С.Storage humidity should be kept to a minimum.
If you store the vegetable in the refrigerator, then exclude sudden changes in temperature when removing and transferring turnips back to heat. There is no doubt that onions are one of the most sought after and healthy vegetable crops. No wonder people who fall ill with a cold immediately “lean” on this healing vegetable.
And its effective positive effect on the body with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus once again proves how useful onion turnip is for a person.