ISSN: 2455-1848 International Journal of Innovative Research & Growth A Peer Reviewed & Referred International Journal Volume-8 Issue-2 December-2018 Impact Factor-3.0 www.ijirg.com, [email protected]

Onion – Health Benefits

1Shikha Munjal, 2Aakash Singh, 3Pankaj Kumar, 4Deepak Kumar Mehra 1Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India 2Uttaranchal College of Science and Technology, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India 3Scholar of M.Sc., Choudhary Bansilal University, Bhiwani, Haryana, India 4Scholar of M.Sc., Jaipur National University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Email: [email protected]

Abstract Onion is a part of allium family of vegetable and it has been cultivated for centuries for their flavors, characteristics and their medicinal properties. In past few years, onion production has increased by 25% with respect to current production and after tomatoes; it is second most important horticultural crop. Onions are versatile and used as main ingredient in Indian cooking recopies. Onions gives flavors to many varieties and has many benefits to human health. These are the rich source of nutrients, vitamins flavonoids and the many sulphur containing organic compounds. The two important flavonoids – anthocyanin, quercetin and its derivatives which are responsible for the yellow and brown skins of many other varieties. The other most important flavonoid - alk(en)yl cysteine sulphoxides (ACSOs) that is flavor precursor,which gives odour and taste of onion. Onion has a variety of health benefits which include anticarcinogenic properties, antiplatelet activity, antithrombotic activity, antiasthmatic and antibiotic effects. Here, we review the health benefits of the onion, and the chemical reaction occurs in onion when they cut or chopped. Keywords: - Onions, onions health benefits, lachrymatory factor

1- INTRODUCTION oxidation and also protect against skin and Onion (Bulb onion or common onion) [1] stomach cancer. It regenerates the vitamin is a vegetable which provide flavor and E which is very powerful antioxidant and other health benefits. It is the rich source inactivates the harmful effects of chelate of nutrients, proteins, vitamins (B, C and metal ions. G) and other essential elements (such as – Onions are potent super foods and packed calcium, iron… etc). It is also a richs with valuable and useful nutrients. It is the source of folic acid and dietary fiber. It most significant ingredient in Indian contains no fat snd has anti- inflammatory, cooking recopies. All types of onions – anti-asthmatic, antibacterial, antifungal Red, yellow, sweet and white are differ in and anti-diabetic actions. It contains anti- terms of flavor, color, texture, shape and oxidant compound (which inhibit other health benefits but flavor depend on oxidation) quercetin, a flavonoids the season in which they are grown. (phenolic acid,ellagic, caggeic. Sinapic, p- 2- WHITE ONIONS coumeric, sterols, saponins) which help to damage the free radicals produced in the body. Onion also treats the cause of cardiovascular disorders which includes hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. It inhibits platelet aggregation, low density lipoprotein

Volume-8 Issue-2 December 2018, DOI: 10.26671/IJIRG.2018.2.8.102 Page 11 anthocyanin, powerful anti-cancer agent that neutralize cancer cell growth and reduce whole body inflammation.  Recent Study has shown that the red onions lower the risk of stomach, oral, laryngeal, esophageal and ovarian cancer. Some researchers have found that when we eat half an onion was  White onions are super-healthy in daily, the risk of stomach cancer both forms – raw as well as in was reduced by 50%. cooked form. It has pungent flavor, 4- YELLOW ONIONS thinny white papery skin and all- white flesh. It is rich source of vitamic –C, flavonoids and phytonutrients.  They have a short shelf life due to the high concentration of sugar content.  They have a power to keep your blood free of clots. So, it is very effective for heart problems.  White onions are very helpful in increasing the immune system of the body. It lower the risk of Yellow onions have a sharp, sweet, deep allergic reactions. and astringent flavor, fist-sized, fairly  White onions are very effective for tough and yellow brown papery outer skin proper digestion. It prevents from and meaty layers. When yellow onions diarrhoea, gastric ulicers, cholera cooked, they lose their sharpness and and plague. become sweeter which make them perfect 3- RED ONION for caramelized onions. Yellow onions have high sulphur content than white onions, which give it too strong, pungent and more complex flavor unless other ingredients balance the flavor. 5- SWEET ONIONS

 Red onions are generally used in raw form (salads, sandwich…etc). It has deep purple layer of outer skin and reddish flesh.  Red onions have low concentration of sugar content.  Red onions are the wealthy source Sweet onions are not as flavorful or of anti-oxidant agent quercetin, pungent as yellow onions. Commonly, polyphenol anti-oxidant these onions lack of astringent taste, are

Volume-8 Issue-2 December 2018, DOI: 10.26671/IJIRG.2018.2.8.102 Page 12 relatively mild and crispy. These are When they crash, smashed or cut, they called sweet onions because they have a won’t able to cry due to lack of sulphur low sulphur content and high content. concentration of sugar content. Sweet Out of all these varieties of onions, red onions have high water content as onions are healthier one because it has compared to other varieties of onions. high content of anti-oxidant compounds. 6- WHY ONIONS MAKE US CRY? molecule which give the onion When we cut, crush, chop or smash the characteristic taste), which spontaneously onion, then a chemical reaction takes place rearrange to form syn –propanethial-S- in which a enzyme is released, called oxide (a volatile sulphur compound gas Allinase (a biological catalyst that produce which also known as Lachrymatory factor the eye- irritating compound very (LF)). LF is the volatile chemical which promptly) .Then this enzyme interact with means that once it’s released, it promptly the amino acid sulfoxides of the onion ,and evaporates and diffuses into the air. create sulfenic acid (flavor unstable

Syn –propanethial-S-oxide O — (Lachrymatory factor)

S + H3C

In your eyes, cornea contains nerves that health diseases. transmit information to the larger nerves 7.1- ASTHMA which are responsible for touch, Anti-oxidant compound –quercetin (that temperature, and pain detection. The act like anti-histamine) present in onion nerves detect the presence of syn- reduce allergic, inflammatory chemical in propanethial-S-oxide and transmit the body. The quercetin inhibits the release signal to central nervous system which histamine in body that prevents immune stimulates the lachrymal gland (also cells. So, overall it can be a promising known as tear gland) of your eyes. This, asthma treatment. in turn the syn-propanethial –S-oxide react 7.2- CANCER with water present on the surface of the The combination of onion/turmeric and cornea in your eyes, then gas will dilute onion/ garlic creates synergestic effect that and becoming more potent and produce lowers the risk of cancer but they are most sulfuric acid. The effect of this acid is effective for the cure of breast and colon irritating, not harmful. These acids irritate cancer. Actually, the red onions have the our eyes and make us cry. high content of quercetin or anthocyanin 7- BENEFITS OF ONIONS which inhibits the growth of cancer cells Onions are best known for their flavorful and create the unfavorable environment for and excellent taste which transforms any them and encourage them to undergo the meal to aromatic experience. Onions have death. low in calories, carbohydrates but raise the Anthocyanin is the anti-oxidant compound level of glutathione in our body which is which provides colors to the vegatables potent anti-oxidant for the liver and boots and fruits. Anthocyanin in red onion detoxification. They have antibacterial provides darkest color in it. A high properties that detox and cleanse our body. concentration of anthocyanin in red onion Onions contains more than 100 sulphur would have the most cancer-fighting containing compounds which cure heart powder. diseases, diabetes, asthma and many other 7.3- BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL

Volume-8 Issue-2 December 2018, DOI: 10.26671/IJIRG.2018.2.8.102 Page 13 Onion and onion extract is used to lower i. "Allium cepa L.". World Checklist of the blood sugar level, total cholesterol Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal level and improves the glucose level. Allyl Botanic Gardens, Kew – via The Plant propyl disulphide, a volatile substance List. contained in onion is used to lower the ii.https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/ama sugar level in body by releasing the zing-health-benefits-of-onions/#gref. insulin. It is the active hypoglycaemic iii. https://www.medicaldaily.com/health- substance which prevents the destruction benefits-onions-5-surprising-ways-onions- of insulin. It is very beneficial for colic or can-cleanse-your-body-eliminate-disease- shooting pains in stomach due to 295820. indigestion. iv.http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstrea Experimental and clinical studies show m/10603/7897/11/11_chapter%204.pdf. that APDS (Allyl propyl disulphide) v.https://www.livescience.com/45293onio competing with insulin (also a disulphide n-nutrition.html. molecule) to enter in liver. The sites in vi.https://www.health.com/nutrition/health liver where the insulin is deactivated -benefits-onions. ADPS occupy all these sites and break it to vii.https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysterie increase the life span of insulin. s/onion.html. 7.4- SKIN AND HAIR viii.https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/ar The onion juice contains sulfur containing ticles/318811.php. compounds that boosts collagen ix.http://steadyrun.com/healthtips/vegetabl production which enhances hair growth, es/health-benefits-of-onions/. treat alopecia areata (sudden hair loss) x.https://noshon.it/tips/the-difference- condition and fight premature aging. between-white-yellow-red-and-sweet- Onion juice also makes the hair shinier. onions/. And onion having antimicrobial properties that can help to fight against scalp infections. In recent study, the extract of onion had improved acne problems. This extract also reduces redness and inflammation. So, the onion extract can be used for the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections. You can also apply the onion juice on your face, leave it for 10-15 mins and wash your face with warm water. But the one most important thing – don’t let the juice get into your eyes. And then you will get a healthy and shiny skin. 7.5- BONE DENSITY It is the one among all the health benefits in which it can prevent age-related osteoporosis. White onions contain a compound, called GPCS which can reduce bone loss. Another study revealed that the onions also help to treat joint pains and increase the bone density. Women who regularly ate onions had 5 percent more bone density than those who ate less. 8- REFERENCES

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