Baked Onions: Health Benefits

Probably, onions more often than other vegetables appear on our table. Without it, it is impossible to cook soup, a full-fledged second course of meat and fish. Onions are a must for most salads. Even the children know about the benefits of burning vegetables. But not all adults know that this popular root crop should be consumed not only raw but also baked. The fact is that during heat treatment the composition of the onion does not change, and some of its properties, on the contrary, are enhanced. It is no accident that our ancestors made extensive use of onions baked in the Russian stove to treat abscesses, anemia, fever, and other diseases.

For many centuries, onions remained the main treatment for colds and almost all infections, which in ancient times often became the most common cause of mass death. Despite the emergence of modern powerful drugs, the healing properties of oven-baked onions are often used in home treatments. Fans of natural nutrition include such onions in their diet, adding to different dishes or using as an independent snack. In a word, baked onion heads, even in our fast-moving time, are still a good guard in protecting human health. To find out how this spicy vegetable manages to stay in the trend for centuries, we will get acquainted with its composition, properties, and healing possibilities.

Composition and calorie content

If our ancestors were guided by experience accumulated over centuries, modern people rely more on scientifically based evidence of the usefulness of a product. Today, the composition of baked onions is well understood. It practically does not differ from the content of components that is present in a fresh product. The baked vegetable contains the following active substances:

1. Vitamin C. In scientific terminology, this useful substance is referred to as vitamin C. Its share in the composition of baked onions is the most significant. This component strengthens the body's immune forces, has antibacterial abilities.
2. Vitamin A - retinol regulates the synthesis of essential proteins, accelerates tissue regeneration, supports the normal course of oxidative and reduction processes. This component positively affects the state of the dermis.
3. The complex of B vitamins, as you know, provides normal functions of the nervous and cardiovascular system, participating in energy metabolism.

Minerals are represented in a large composition in baked onions:

1. Cobalt cleanses blood vessels from cholesterol, increases hemoglobin levels, and has a positive effect on heart rate. In one medium baked onion contains half the daily portion needed by a person for normal health.
2. Copper is an active participant in the process of hematopoiesis. This component is also responsible for the synthesis of melanin, protects the skin from the negative effects of external factors.
3. Manganese has antioxidant properties. It cleanses body tissues of toxins and neutralizes the effect of free radicals. The element promotes better absorption of calcium, strengthens the bone skeleton and cartilage of the joints.
4. Iron transports oxygen to tissues, takes part in blood formation. Thanks to these functions, it is possible to prevent the development of anemia.
5. Potassium is necessary for the normal functioning of the myocardium - the heart muscle. This element also improves cellular metabolism and helps maintain normal water balance in tissues, preventing the development of edema.
6. Iodine is necessary for the normal functioning of the endocrine and immune systems.
7. Nickel also maintains a normal blood composition, activates the action of insulin, positively affects the state of the hormonal background.

In addition to these components, the composition of baked onions contains flavonoids, a lot of fiber, folic and succinic acid. And the ether extracts, which are rich in fresh product, evaporate during heat treatment. For this reason, the baked vegetable does not bite and loses a sharp specific aroma. Separately, it is worth recalling the presence in the composition of such a substance as quercetin, which inhibits the aging process. This substance is concentrated in onion peel. Therefore, baked onions are useful to use along with the outer shell.

Calorie content
Onions in any form of cooking are low-calorie foods. The energy value of a 100-gram serving of spiced vegetable after baking in the oven is only 36 kcal. True, carbohydrates account for about 10% of the composition.

What is baked onion good for?

General benefit

The saturated biochemical composition of the spiced vegetable in the baked form as a whole favorably affects the state of health. In principle, it is a reliable source of nutrition for the body. But, in addition to the general healing effect, baked onion has a set of medicinal properties, which increases its value. In the list of its therapeutic properties:

• antioxidant;
• anti-inflammatory;
• wound healing;
• restorative;
• anti-aging;
• sedative;
• painkiller;
• hematopoietic;
• antibacterial;
• expectorant;
• regenerative.

Of course, such a number of useful properties, which are concentrated in one head of an onion baked in the oven or cooked in another culinary way, must be used even by completely healthy people. We will understand what is useful spicy product for certain groups of the population.

For women

For the female part of the population, a vegetable is essential at any age. This versatile product stimulates brain activity, protects the body from colds and flu, and helps regulate blood pressure. In addition to the preventive effect, baked onions are useful for gynecological pathologies.

1. With cervical erosion, it can be used in combination with honey to make vaginal suppositories. This option is used as an auxiliary treatment for uterine fibroids. After 2-3 months of such specific therapy, a positive effect will be noticeable: damaged tissues will begin to recover, and signs of inflammation will disappear without a trace.
2. With cystic formations of the ovaries, traditional healers offer the following method of treatment: soak the head of baked onion for 8 hours in honey, then bring it to the state of gruel. From the onion-honey mixture, make tampons, which must be inserted into the vagina before bedtime for 10 days.
3. A mixture of grated onions, garlic and honey will help cure endometriosis. The method is used similar to the previous methods. The course of treatment is 10 days.
4. The list of useful properties of baked onions will be incomplete if you do not recall its anti-aging ability. Home cosmetic procedures with its use will strengthen nails and restore healthy shine to curls. This is especially useful for women during menopause, when the body suffers from a deficiency of potassium, magnesium and other elements necessary to maintain beauty.
5. If you regularly eat baked onions, it will help normalize sleep, and also relieve the negative effects of stress.

Of course, baked onions are a very useful product for women's health. But before using it as a therapeutic agent, it is still worth consulting a doctor. This will help to correctly draw up an adjuvant therapy program and determine the appropriate dosage.

For men

In ancient times, onions were called “the musk of the poor”, since this product was especially popular among commoners. But, as the doctors of that time claimed, this burning product returned masculine power even to the elderly.Onions were then eaten in large quantities: more often it was used fresh, and often baked in the oven along with other vegetables. Such an appetizer helped the peasants to endure the hardships of everyday life, but even after hard work, the man was able to regularly fulfill his conjugal duties. Moreover, as we know, in the old days families were large, that is, the reproductive system of men and women worked without interruptions. Later, scientists found that baked onions are useful for men by the following actions:

1. Stimulates the production of testosterone - a hormone on which the sexual abilities of men depend.
2. Baked is an excellent prophylactic against prostate cancer.
3. Cleanses blood vessels from cholesterol, and also widens their lumen, which significantly reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
4. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is useful in inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system.
5. Able to accelerate blood flow, providing good potency.

Men can be recommended to eat onion baked with honey. This dressing will be a great addition to meat dishes and cheese. It is best to eat such an appetizer for dinner shortly before sexual intercourse.

Important! By itself, baked onion is not a stimulator of an erection, but its use normalizes metabolic processes and accelerates blood flow, that is, it has a general tonic effect on a man's body.

During pregnancy

Although many products are on the forbidden list for pregnant women, this does not apply to onions. Baked onions are especially useful for expectant mothers, because one middle head of a vegetable is able to provide a woman’s body with a double portion of the necessary mineral elements and vitamin supplements. And the content of folic acid in a spicy product enhances reproductive abilities. Deficiency of this substance can lead to serious fetal development abnormalities. We must not forget that baked onion is a natural immunomodulator. During pregnancy, its presence in the diet will provide the mother and the unborn baby with reliable protection against viral infections and colds. With the help of baked onions, you can fight against anemia, he will become a reliable supplier of material for the growth and development of the skeletal system of the fetus. In a word, the benefit of baked onions for expectant mothers is a proven fact.

True, in the later stages spicy vegetable should not be much carried away, but in the early months of pregnancy it will be very useful, especially in the spring.

When breastfeeding

If fresh onions, due to the specific aroma, cannot be added to food for a nursing mother, then a baked vegetable is devoid of such an unpleasant sign. But a woman after childbirth needs to be restored and reinforced with vitamin supplements. A useful vegetable after a short heat treatment can help nursing mothers with the following properties:

1. It stimulates the secretion of digestive secretions, which speeds up the digestion process.
2. Increases intestinal motility, and this ability relieves constipation, which often turn into a serious problem in the first months after childbirth.
3. Thanks phytoncides - natural antibiotics that make up the garden spice, cleanses the body of pathogenic bacteria and viruses.
4. Increases lactation, which is very important with a lack of breast milk.

It is worth recalling the healing potential of a baked vegetable.

So, compresses with his participation in combination with carrots and sour milk will help with mastitis. If you rub the onion head that has been in the oven for 5 minutes, and then combine it with honey, this composition can be applied to inflamed hemorrhoidal nodes.

Baked onions will enrich the diet of nursing mothers, if there are no contraindications to the use of the product. But if a woman has allergic manifestations, or after a change in the mother’s diet, the baby will have bloating and diarrhea, you will have to remove the valuable product from the menu.

For children

For young children, onions are not added to food.Only after a year of spice can be given in boiled or baked form in small portions. Since this method of preparation keeps all the useful substances of the composition intact, baked onions will provide the growing organism with vitamins and minerals, protect it from pathogenic microorganisms and parasites, and help strengthen the immune system. Baked onions are rich in fiber, which is important for the normal digestion of the baby and regular stool. It is best to add it to soups, vegetable purees.

Spicy vegetable is widely used in the home treatment of colds, bronchitis. But not all small patients are willing to take this medicine inside. A few useful tips will help remove this problem from the agenda:

1. Baked onions should be given after meals.
2. It must be washed down with water or milk.
3. When coughing, to soften the taste, onions must be combined with honey or milk.
4. For children, it is best to bake a white or red variety.

When losing weight

Low calorie content combined with a set of healthy substances make baked onions an ideal product for weight loss. And in this field, a person who wants to return slender forms to his figure can act without restrictions. Baked onions can be eaten in pure form, add it to salads, first courses. Even a 100-gram serving of vegetable will cover a quarter of the daily requirement of the body for dietary fiber, that is, fiber. Such an additive will speed up metabolism, ensure the removal of toxins from the body, strengthen bones, and regulate sugar level and pressure. But there is one significant “but” - baked onions for weight loss should be eaten without spices and sauces.

Baked onion in medicine

Treatment with baked onions was widely practiced in Russia in ancient times. We inherited many unique recipes from them. Official medicine, in general, has a positive attitude to similar methods of treatment, if they are used as an addition to the main complex of therapy. But sometimes it is only through the use of a baked vegetable that it is possible to get rid of such unpleasant problems as corns and corns. We list the pathologies for which such a bow will be useful:

• anemia;
• dermatitis and other skin diseases;
• weakened immunity;
• poorly healing wounds;
• furunculosis;
• colds;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• bronchitis, laryngitis;
• dental caries;
• digestive disorders;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• risk of developing atherosclerosis;
• clotting problems;
• hemorrhoids;
• migraine;
• helminthiases.

This is only part of the pathological conditions in which it is not only possible, but also necessary to use the healing properties of a spiced vegetable in a baked form.

The inclusion of such an additive in the diet will help normalize blood pressure and recover for people who have had surgery or a serious illness.

Briefly describe what is useful baked vegetable with various pathologies.

With diabetes

The ability of baked root vegetables to regulate glucose levels has been proven for a long time. Therefore, endocrinologists strongly recommend including it in the diet of diabetics. And you need to eat it regularly, and not from case to case. Only when this condition is fulfilled can one expect positive dynamics in the patient's condition.

Sugar indicators can be brought closer to normal figures due to the content of glyconin in a healthy vegetable, which reduces the need for insulin. Sulfur stimulates cellular receptors, and iodine normalizes thyroid function.

Once in the oven, diabetics should eat daily. It is enough to eat one small head of onion to improve the results of laboratory tests. Baked onion infusion is useful for diabetics. Preparing the drug is simple:

1. Chop the baked onion.
2. Pour the resulting slurry with fully boiled water.
3. Insist exactly one day in the refrigerator.

Drink an infusion before meals at 1/3 cup per reception. In a drink you need to add a few drops of wine vinegar.

With pancreatitis

The diet for acute pancreatitis does not allow the presence of irritating pancreas products in food. But during a period of persistent remission, baked onions in small portions are allowed to be consumed. Of course, the doctor must approve such an intention.

With gastritis

Gastroenterologists do not welcome the use of raw vegetables by patients with ulcers and gastritis, since it irritates the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, which can provoke the appearance of ulcers. But in a baked form, a spicy vegetable can be rarely included in the diet. Since the body of a sick person lacks nutrients, baked onions will become the source of the components necessary to support the health.

With gout

The healing properties of baked onions can play a key role in the treatment of gout. Since purine metabolism is disturbed with this pathology, as a result of which uric acid accumulates in the form of crystals in the joints, baked onions will help normalize metabolic processes. In addition, the product has a powerful antioxidant effect. Its use as a folk remedy will remove harmful products from the body, as well as reduce pain. Naturally, to achieve a positive result of home therapy is possible only subject to the recommended dosage and dosage regimen.

Alternative therapy methods:

1. For internal use, an infusion of baked onion is suitable, which should be taken with gout for a third of a glass on an empty stomach for 15-20 days.
2. Compresses from onion gruel help with this disease.

Of course, such a healthy vegetable must be eaten in order to saturate the body with vitamin and mineral supplements.

When coughing

Onion therapy is very popular for colds and coughs. Given the fact that when baked, the vegetable differs from the raw in a milder effect, this treatment is suitable for children and pregnant women. Especially effective is baked onions with intense coughing, which is accompanied by severe pain in the chest. For practical use, we give two simple recipes:

1. After a twenty-minute stay in the oven, grate the onion, combine with 50 g of softened butter and exactly the same amount of honey. Mix the mass well, determine in a suitable container. For children, such a paste can be given 1 tsp. after the main meals, and for adult patients, a single dose is 1 tbsp.
2. Chop the onion, then fill it with a bottle and seal. From above, it is better to coat the vessel with dough, and then send it to the already preheated oven. When the cork from the dough is baked, you can extract the “cure” for coughing from the oven. Juice formed in the process of this method of baking can be taken orally after meals up to 4 times a day.

From hemorrhoids

It should immediately be recognized that most of the onion-based recipes for hemorrhoids. The complex effect of a baked vegetable in this disease is so effective that doctors refuse to believe in such miracles. We offer a couple of the most powerful recipes for the therapeutic effect:

1. In the absence of bleeding from hemorrhoid cones, you need to apply half a warm baked onion head to a delicate place twice a day. Keep a natural compress for at least 20 minutes, so it’s better to lie down for the duration of the procedure.The course of such therapy is 14 days.
2. In parallel with external procedures, half a baked root vegetable should be eaten daily. Consumption of a useful product localizes foci of inflammation in the intestine, relieves pain in the anal area, relieves constipation.

From boils

The causative agent of furunculosis is most often staphylococcus. It is distinguished by resistance to aggressive means, but it is not able to defend itself against onion influence. An element filled with purulent contents on any part of the skin will quickly resolve if the following method of treatment is used:

1. Mix two parts of the gruel obtained from the baked onion with one part of the laundry soap grated on a regular grater.
2. Apply the resulting mixture to the problem area, cover with a clean cloth and secure with a band-aid.
3. After several hours, replace the bandage.

Against cough

The antibacterial properties of baked onions relieve airway inflammation in pneumonia and bronchitis. A mixture of warm onion gruel with oil is especially good for coughing. Both ingredients must be taken in equal proportions. Take the resulting paste for 1 tsp. Another exotic method of treatment: one onion and a couple of cloves of garlic should be sent to the preheated oven for 5 minutes, then bring the spiced vegetables to a state of homogeneous gruel. Apply this mixture to a piece of tissue and apply to the chest, bypassing the region of the heart. Keep the onion-garlic compress for 15–20 minutes.

From barley

If the first signs of barley are found in the eye, you must immediately turn on the oven to bake the onion head in it. The remedy for barley is simple but effective: you need to attach a half or a plate of vegetable to the eye and keep it for 20 minutes. It is desirable to perform this procedure more often to accelerate the maturation of the abscess.

The dosage of the onion preparation depends on the nature of the disease and the age of the patient. For the treatment of children, only safe options should be selected, and it is best to consult a pediatrician. Usually, a positive result of the external use of baked onions is noticeable almost immediately, and internal therapy only bears fruit after a week.

Harm and contraindications

A huge range of useful actions, unfortunately, does not exclude the presence of contraindications. This property is characteristic of any dosage form, including folk remedies for baked onions. Vegetables should not be used in the following pathological conditions:

• acute pancreatitis;
• individual intolerance to the product;
• exacerbation of peptic ulcer.

Uncontrolled consumption of the product in food can cause side effects such as:

• nausea;
• irritability;
• increase in blood pressure;
• mood swings;
• increased acidity of gastric juice.

With the rational use of such a useful product, improvements in health status will be noticeable almost immediately.

How to bake onions: recipes

To baked onions as much as possible showed their healing qualities, it must be properly baked. For this purpose, an ordinary oven, microwave or multicooker is equally suitable. Before proceeding with the task, it is necessary to select the “correct” bulbs. Root crops of medium size correspond to such characteristics, since they have a harmoniously balanced composition.

How to choose and cook onions:

1. Roasting bulbs must be free of damage and firm to the touch, free from any odors.
2. Of course, ideally, cook onions grown in your own personal plot, as this guarantees protection against pesticides.
3. Product preparation includes cleaning the root of the mud, water treatment and drying.
4. Bake onions with husks in foil for 15–20 minutes at a temperature of 180–200 ° C.
5. When the vegetable turns golden and transparent, remove it from the oven.

Now consider the methods of baking onion heads using different household units.

In the oven

For use as a therapeutic agent, the onion must be baked in the oven by the classical method, that is, wrapped in foil together with the husk. For eating, it is better to add olive oil. The product will turn out tasty if you divide the onion into four parts, add a little salt, and then sprinkle with oil. Top the onion slices with a sheet of foil. Cooking time is 30 minutes.

There is also an express method of baking vegetables. The peeled onion must be cut in half. Cover the baking sheet with a sheet of parchment, on which lay the onion with the slice down. Bake for 7 minutes at a temperature of 170 ° C.

In the microwave

The whole process of baking onions in the microwave takes about 15 minutes. This method of cooking vegetables is suitable for patients with diabetes. To brighten the fresh taste, you can add a little salt to the onion, and then sprinkle with any vegetable oil.

How to cook:

1. Peel the middle head of the onion, rinse thoroughly under water, cut into two parts.
2. In the thicket of the microwave, put the vegetable slicing, add 150 ml of vegetable broth.
3. Turn on the device in the highest power mode.
4. Bake for 20 minutes.

Readiness is determined by the color of the product: if it is golden, the onion snack is ready to eat.

In a slow cooker

This cooking method is also more suitable for gastronomic needs. Onions baked in a slow cooker can be included in the diet for various diseases or used to correct body weight. This is the easiest way, but it takes more time.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Peel a few onion heads, cut into halves or plates.
2. First add a few drops of vegetable oil to the capacity of the unit, and then put the vegetable slices.
3. Turn on the "Bake" mode.
4. After half an hour, the onion appetizer will be ready.

Interesting facts about onions

1. It is believed that onions are the first crop that people began to grow. His age is about 7 thousand years. Archaeological excavations on the territory of Russia allow us to judge that onions began to be cultivated here about a thousand years ago.
2. Today in the world there are more than 400 varieties of vegetables.
3. In addition to nutritional value, onion has the ability to attract wealth. At least that's what magicians and esotericists think.
4. Onion not only saves from various diseases, it is an indispensable helper in everyday life: juice can cleanse fat from the stove, it scares off insects. True, the dogs are also afraid of him.
5. During the first Olympic Games, the vegetable was used as a dope to enhance the athletes' abilities.
6. During wars, onions were used as an antiseptic to treat wounds.
7. There were times when a vegetable serves as the most popular currency.
8. And finally, a useful tip: if your legs were very cold in winter, you just need to cover them with chopped onion rings. Such a simple way will increase blood flow, and the legs will quickly warm up.

In conclusion, it remains to add that the regular presence of baked onions in the diet will not only help to improve health, but also solve many old problems. The almost absolute safety of this valuable product allows it to be used to feed children, the elderly, pregnant women.

Photo of baked onion