DON'T JUST HANG YOUR ONIONS *repost*

*repost from 31st March 2010* Just like all teenagers, I had selective hearing but 1 of the things that kept ringing in my rather stubborn ears was "onions are good for you". My mum said this and even went on to say how good it is for scars. 

Thank goodness I did not ignore her. I have always added onions to my diet and as well as a daily massage of pure unrefined shea butter on my skin, I barely have any scars.

There are so many different varieties of onions but they are used to:
* improve memory
* sore throat
* tummy infection
* high blood pressure

I came across this article whilst flicking through the newspaper yesterday:

EATING onions every day could protect against heart disease.

Researchers have found onions contain the largest amounts of quer·ce·tin A yellow powdered crystalline compound produced synthetically or occurring as a glycoside in the rind and bark of numerous plants, used medicinally to treat abnormal capillary fragility. Also called meletin. , an antioxidant antioxidant, substance that prevents or slows the breakdown of another substance by oxygen. Synthetic and natural antioxidants are used to slow the deterioration of gasoline and rubber, and such antioxidants as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), butylated hydroxytoluene thought to help delay or slow damage to cells and tissues.

Quercetin may also lower levels of 'bad' or LDL cholesterol 
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is the primary cholesterol molecule. High levels of LDL increase the risk of coronary heart disease. -- a risk factor for heart disease.

In a study at Wageningen Agricultural University, Holland, researchers looked at three major sources of the compound: tea, onions and apples. Onions contained twice as much as tea and more than three times the amount found in apples.

A second study at Christian-Albrechts University in Germany showed that a daily intake of 50 to 150mg was needed to enjoy the health benefits.

One medium-sized onion contains around 22 to 51mg. It doesn't matter whether the onion is raw or cooked.

Akua
Sheabutter Cottage