The pungent aroma of garlic and onions have been the subject of conversation for centuries. From keeping vampires away in the middle ages to seasoning dishes to festivals around the world, most either love or hate these two foods. However, science has shown us there are now significant health benefits to including more garlic and onions into your diet. Below are three health benefits of including garlic and onions in your diet.
Onions and garlic are two of the oldest medicinal plants with mentions in texts going back to 3000 BC. Both herbs belong to the allium family which also include lilies. Garlic and onions are sweet and spicy (try biting into an onion or a bulb of garlic). Onions are high in trace minerals, sulfur and minerals. It has also been seen in studies that using garlic is just as effective as using pharmaceutical drugs. One of the most common uses for onions and garlic is to stimulate the tear glands and the taste buds.
Your consumption of these super foods is not limited to its raw form. In fact, you can now take both items in capsule and liquid form. This way it is possible to gain the benefits without leaving a noticeable aroma. If you still smell onion and garlic, try eating an apple or parsley or drinking a bit of lemon juice.
Lowering your cholesterol –
- Both garlic and onions lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol and improve circulation by making it harder for cholesterol to stick to artery walls.
- Taking garlic and onion can also increase circulation and reduce high blood pressure, keeping the heart healthy
- Taking onions can help to relax muscle walls, including those of the heart.
Build immunity – There was a reason your mother fed you chicken soup with garlic and onions when you were sick; it was literally better for you.
- Garlic contains selenium and other antioxidants shown to improve immune function.
- Onions also have antibiotic properties and should be eaten raw over 2 weeks to build your immune system.
- The sulfur in onions (making us cry) acts as a detoxifier.
Heal your skin –
- The allatonin in onions and garlic can heal scar damage to your skin. A number of commercial products (such as Mederma) are using onion extract to reduce the look of scars. Give topical solutions a boost by ingesting both foods in your diet.
- Sliced onions can also be applied directly to the skin to relieve the pain from burns or insect bites.
