Amazingly Versatile - Onion Facts
Are you aware that onions have more vitamins and health benefits than all other vegetables combined? If you are not then you are definitely missing out. You may have come across this earth-shattering fact but what exactly do you know about onions? You could probably guess that it is because of its pungent taste that drives away insects and pests like mosquitoes. But if we check out some amazing facts about onions, we would find out that onion is one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Read on to learn about some of its amazing benefits.
Among the most important among onion facts is that it was eaten by a man long before recorded history. Some cultures like the ancient Egyptians, the Mayans and the Aztecs used it for medical purposes. It has been even used for the treatment of urinary tract infections. This was probably the reason the Indian doctors were so successful in curing their patients with it. It was also used for the treatment of inflammation in the stomach, esophagus, intestines and colon. Some spices which were eaten on a daily basis - coriander seeds, cardamom, fennel seeds, cloves and cinnamon - are believed to have helped cure stomach disorders and intestinal infections.
It is funny to know that onion facts do not exactly match up to what the average American eats on a daily basis. While the east meets its stomach juices at a minimum of three times a day, the typical American consumes only two meals which usually include pizza and salad. The pizza alone accounts for more than a quarter of all the calories that the average American eats in a day. This is ironic because onions and cheese are two of the healthiest foods that the average American eats.
In United States, where the bulk of onion facts come from, the use of it is not as common as it is in other countries, although it is used quite frequently. In fact, it is not so common in the United States that you can pick up an onion at your local grocery store and just leave it on the food channel for someone to eat. In other countries like Egypt and India, the use of this vegetable is almost unknown and not something that you would see on a dinner table.
Aside from containing a large amount of minerals, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber, onions also contain phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are good food facts because these chemicals help improve your health in a variety of ways. For example, some phytochemicals are able to prevent and treat ulcers and heart disease. Other phytochemicals are able to strengthen the body's immune system.
There are a wide range of onions that fall into the onion facts category. The most commonly seen variety is the Alli, which is native to central Europe and parts of Eastern Europe. This variety is most popular in dishes used with meat, especially pork. There are two kinds of onions that are native to the United States and those are the white and the red varieties. The difference between these two is that the red variety is much more common in United States whereas the white variety is more common in parts of Asia like China and India.
The onion we know today came from the perennial bulb of the plant C.A.S. midlandii found growing in the wilds of southern France, parts of Belgium and northern Germany. Although the bulb was first eaten as a delicacy by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, it was soon brought to other lands where it became a favorite for many dishes. In fact, unions have played a major role in the history of human beings. Many historians, travelers and anthropologists have written about the ancient Greeks' fondness for eating onion rings and baked potatoes cooked with onion fat. Regardless, of where you came across the onion you will most likely agree that this greasy little vegetable is one of the most delicious and versatile foods available today.
