Fried Onions: Health Benefits

It is difficult to imagine the preparation of many first and second courses without onion frying. With the help of onions, you can completely change the taste of the products, getting from the simplest ingredients an unusually tasty and fragrant dish.

Composition and calorie content

Onions are a low-calorie product. 100 g contains only 40 kcal, of which protein - 1.3 g, fat - 0.2 g, carbohydrates - 8.1 g, dietary fiber - 2.9. The chemical composition is represented by the following components:

• iron;
• potassium;
• sodium;
• iodine;
• phosphorus;
• vitamins C, E, B.

The nutritional value of fried onions is characterized by the highest caloric value due to the addition of oil in the cooking process and is 250 kcal. Energy value may vary depending on the type of oil used.

What is the use of fried onions

General benefit

Onions are among the few products that slightly lose their beneficial properties during frying. Why is refueling useful? Due to the rich content of important substances, onion frying has the following positive effect on the human body:

• replenishes the necessary concentration of vitamins and minerals;
• allows you to maintain hemoglobin in the blood;
• helps to strengthen muscles;
• possesses antibacterial properties;
• improves the general condition of the body;
• thanks to the presence of vitamin B strengthens the nervous system;
• contributes to the normal functioning of the kidneys;
• improves metabolism and fat metabolism;
• has a diuretic effect;
• slows down the growth of cancer cells.

For women

The woman’s body is sensitive to stressful situations. Regular addition of onions to dishes calms the nervous system.

The product contains vitamin B6, which normalizes most of the important functions in a woman's body:

• improves digestion;
• restores metabolism and accelerates metabolism;
• facilitates well-being during PMS and menstruation;
• serves as the prevention of cancer;
• increases sexual arousal;
• reduces the risk of infertility.

The content of vitamin C and E improves the condition of the skin, hair and nails.

For men

Onion frying is also useful for men for a number of reasons:

• boosts male libido;
• improves the quality of seminal fluid and normalizes reproductive function;
• in combination with medicines reduces the symptoms of prostatitis;
• relieves problems with urination.

During pregnancy

Pregnant women should not give up a small amount of fried onions. Dressing contains folic acid, necessary for favorable fetal development.

It’s no secret that the body of a woman in an “interesting position” is extremely vulnerable. The inclusion of onions in the diet helps to strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of contracting colds. In addition, onions contain a large number of vitamins and minerals necessary for both the health of the mother and the development of the baby.

During pregnancy, you should not eat fried onions as an independent dish.Violation of this recommendation may cause heartburn. The best option is to add the onion toast while cooking other dishes.

You should be careful to eat onions during the third trimester, do not forget that the vegetable can cause allergies.

When breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is as important a period as pregnancy. A woman needs to continue to carefully monitor her health, paying particular attention to diet. Onions contain vitamins and nutrients that penetrate the baby’s body through mom’s milk.

The body of a lactating woman is under enormous strain, in connection with which the immune system primarily suffers. Ascorbic acid, which is part of onions, restores the protective function.

When small lumps appear in the chest, onion compresses are used to reduce inflammation. Therapy can be used at the initial stage of the inflammatory process. At the first signs of worsening (high fever, persistent chest pain), you need to seek help from a specialist.

For kids

Do not completely exclude onions from the diet of the child. The product contains a huge number of useful components that can strengthen an unstable immune system and replenish the required amount of vitamins and minerals.

Fried onions are not recommended for a child under 1 year old. It can cause an allergic reaction, so you need to start adding it to dishes in small portions. If no changes are observed during the day, then you can continue to feed.

Fresh onions should begin to be introduced after three years. A thermally untreated vegetable increases the acidity of the gastric juice, and also irritates the mucous membranes of the esophagus and stomach.

When losing weight

Nutritionists recommend adding onions during cooking. Vegetable frying normalizes metabolism and helps to speed up metabolism. One of the diets is even called onion. The French proposed it, based on the ability of onions to remove toxins from the body and clear them of toxins.

An important ability of onions is the breakdown of fats without causing damage to health.

Fried onions in medicine

The healing properties of onions have been known for several centuries. It is called a natural antibiotic due to its antimicrobial properties. The value of onion frying lies in the ability to preserve most of the beneficial vitamins and minerals even after heat treatment. For this reason, fried onions are used to treat and prevent many ailments.

At high temperature

To normalize body temperature, several small onions must be peeled and fried in a pan with a small amount of vegetable oil until softened. The resulting dressing should be wrapped in a paper towel or gauze and applied to the chest.

The method is suitable only if the body temperature does not exceed 38 degrees, otherwise you need to contact a specialized medical institution for help.

With lactostasis

Lactostasis is a lump in the female breast resulting from clogging of the milk ducts. At the initial stages of the disease, it is recommended to use compresses from onions and honey. To do this, you need to combine 30 g of slightly fried onion gruel with 15 g of honey. Mix the mass thoroughly and cool to a comfortable temperature. Attach the mixture to the problem area.

Untimely treatment of lactostasis can cause mastitis, which results in blood poisoning. Elimination of the affected area is often performed using surgical intervention.For this reason, a nursing woman needs urgent hospitalization when the first signs of worsening occur.

Cooking fried onions

Due to the ability to radically change the taste of a dish, fried onions are widely used in cooking. It is added to the first, second courses, used during the preparation of salads and snacks.

Onion soup with croutons

Ingredients:

• 4 medium onions;
• hard cheese - 100 g;
• bread - 150 g;
• butter - 30 g;
• flour - 50 g.

Cooking method:

1. Peel the onion, rinse and cut into half rings.
2. Send to the pan with butter. Fry over medium heat until golden brown, add flour and continue cooking for a couple of minutes.
3. Pour 1.5 l of water into the pan, bring to a boil and add the onion fried with flour.
4. Add cube of broth.
5. To prepare the croutons, cut the bread into small pieces, sprinkle with grated cheese on top and put in the oven preheated to 180 degrees for 7 minutes.
6. Pour the soup into plates, add croutons and serve.

Onion rings

An onion ring appetizer is very popular, a delicious and fragrant dish can be prepared at home.

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions;
• potato chips - 150 g;
• 2 eggs;
• flour - 150 g;
• natural yogurt or low-fat sour cream - 200 ml;
• sunflower oil - 200 ml.

Cooking method:

1. In a deep plate, combine flour and salt. For spice add spices. Any available ones will do.
2. In a separate bowl, mix natural yogurt and wheat flour, add chicken eggs. Beat the mixture with a whisk, mixer or blender until smooth.
3. Peel the onion, rinse and cut into large rings.
4. Grind the chips into small crumbs.
5. Pour oil into a pan and heat well.
6. Dip each onion ring in batter, roll in chips of chips and send to the pan.
7. Fry until golden brown.

Fried onion rings go well with garlic sauce or ketchup.

Garlic sauce can be easily prepared at home. To do this, just combine 50 g of mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt with chopped garlic clove.

Fried potatoes with onions and mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes;
• 1 medium onion;
• 1 clove of garlic;
• fresh or frozen champignons - 300 g;
• vegetable oil - 30 ml;
• salt, spices.

Cooking method:

1. Peel and chop the onion in half rings.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add onions. Fry until golden brown.
3. Chop the mushrooms into thin slices and send to the onion. Cook for 5 minutes.
4. Pre-peeled and washed potatoes cut into cubes and add to the pan. Add salt, garlic and spices.
5. Cook over medium heat until cooked.

Harm and contraindications

A large amount of onion fry eaten can harm the body. It is important to observe the measure when using the product.

Fried onions are contraindicated in the following cases:

• with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (the use of a vegetable increases the acidity of the gastric juice);
• gastritis and stomach ulcer;
• liver pathologies (due to oil content);
• high blood pressure.

How to store fried onions

To save time, frying from onions can be prepared in advance and stored for a long time. To do this, you need the following ingredients:

• onions - 1 kg;
• vegetable oil - 0.5 l.

Cooking method:

1. Peel the onion and rinse thoroughly under running water.
2. Warm the oil thoroughly in a pan and add finely chopped onions.
3. Cook over medium heat until golden brown, then reduce heat and cover the pan with a lid.
4. Continue frying for 20 minutes until the onions are cooked.
5. Sterilize the jars for storing the workpiece, put the fried onions in them and roll up the lids.

This dressing can be stored for a long time (up to 12 months) and is suitable for preparing any dishes.

Is it possible to freeze

Fried onions can and should be frozen, because this method greatly simplifies the cooking process. To do this, it is recommended to fry the onion in oil until a golden crust appears, put it on a paper towel to drain excess fat and place it in containers designed for freezing. Packs for freezing and even molds for ice are suitable. Just add a few ice onion cubes to the broth, and the taste of the cooked dish will completely change.

How to fry onions

At first glance, it might seem that there is nothing complicated in the process of frying onions. For an experienced cook, this is true. A beginner needs to consider several important subtleties to achieve the desired result.

1. Which onions are suitable for frying? It is best to use onions. This variety retains most of the beneficial properties after heat treatment. In the process of roasting, onions acquire a pleasant golden hue. The taste becomes sweet, and the aroma becomes saturated.
2. Green onions are usually used fresh, fried only when used as a filling for baking.
3. Any frying pan is suitable for frying, however, cookware with non-stick coating will greatly simplify the cooking process. Many culinary art lovers recommend using a slow cooker with frying or stewing features.
4. Refined vegetable oil is best suited for roasting. In butter, frying will quickly burn.

The classic way of frying:

1. Pour some oil into the pan; it should slightly cover the bottom.
2. Finely chop the onion and send to the pan with heated oil.
3. Fry over medium heat until slices become clear, then mix.
4. After acquiring a light golden hue, the roast is ready. If necessary, add salt to taste.

Interesting facts about onions

1. It is believed that an ancient man began to use onions for food about five thousand years ago.
2. It is assumed that the homeland of onions are Asian countries.
3. Japanese scientists have identified the benefits of onions in the fight against cancer. To do this, they introduced drugs that slow the growth of cancer cells, rodents. In parallel, scientists fed part of the mice with onions. During the experiment, it was found that in rodents that fed onions, the treatment results were most effective.
4. Scientists from India found that the tears that appeared during the cutting process of a vegetable can impair vision and cause conjunctivitis.
5. An inscription was discovered on the pyramids of Egypt, whose age is about 3 thousand years. It described the amount of silver spent on the purchase of onions by the worker.
6. On the tomb of Tutankhamun was found the image of a bow.
7. In Libya, each person eats on average up to 35 kg of onions per year, in Senegal - up to 23 kg, in England - up to 10 kg, in France - up to 6 kg.
8. The bulb surpasses many fruits in terms of sugar content, in particular pear and apple. During frying, some of the essential oils evaporate, resulting in a sweet taste onion.
9. Adherents of traditional medicine call the vegetable a natural antibiotic.
10. With the help of onions, you can get rid of the unpleasant consequences of insect bites.

Fried onion photo