Onions are the most common of the vegetables that are cultivated worldwide and belong to the genus Allium. It is closely related to garlic, shallot, leek, chive, and Chinese onion.
China is the largest cultivator of onion with 24.3 million tonnes of production. Indian is second to China with 22.4 million tonnes of production in the world. Onions come in size, shape, color, and flavor. The most common variety is red, yellow, and white onions.
With the differences in their color, their tastes also differ. The taste varies from sweet and juicy to sharp, spicy, and pungent, often depending on the season in which people grow and consume them.
Language | Name | Written as |
---|---|---|
Arabic | basila | بصلة |
Bengali | Pēm̐ẏāja | পেঁয়াজ |
Gujarati | Ḍuṅgaḷī | ડુંગળી |
Kannada | Īruḷḷi | ಈರುಳ್ಳಿ |
Malayalam | uḷḷi | ഉള്ളി |
Hindi | pyaaj | प्याज |
Punjabi | Pi’āja | ਪਿਆਜ |
Tamil | Veṅkāyam | வெங்காயம் |
Telugu | Ullipāya | ఉల్లిపాయ |
Urdu | pyaaj | پیاز |
Nutritional profile per 100 gms
Source: USDA & Google
Onions have anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the risks of many heart diseases such as high blood pressure, elevated triglyceride levels, and inflammation.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Oxidation is a process that leads to cellular damage and contributes to diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Antioxidants are the compounds that reduce the damage done by these oxidants. Onion is packed with such antioxidants.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Vegetables that are rich in compound allium can be helpful in fighting against cancer. Onion is one such vegetable that is rich in allium.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Onion contains many different and specific compounds. Due to the presence of such compounds, onions are helpful in controlling blood sugar.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A study has shown that onion juice had improved bone mineral density and antioxidant activity compared to a control group.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Onions may cause blood clotting to slow down. It might also lower the level of blood sugar in our bodies. So the overconsumption of onion can be harmful to diabetic patients. It also can increase the risk of blood clotting after surgery.
You can eat onion at night but you need to be cautious. Onions can create gas in your stomach and can interrupt your sleep.
It is not yet proved but it is believed that onion can absorb viruses and can pull germs out.
The water from the onion can pull extra sulfur for the strength and thickness when added to the hair or scalp.
Peeled onions can be stored for 14 days. Whereas, diced onions will last 7-10 days in the fridge.