An onion a day

Ever wondered why onions are such an indispensable part of our gravies, chaat items and salads? It's because of a number of health benefits.

Ancient records reveal that onions have been used as far back as 4000 BC as a cure for many illnesses. In World War II, the vapours of onion paste were used to reduce the pain and accelerated the healing of soldiers' wounds.

And so whichever way their prices go, onions will remain worth their weight in gold. Here's why:

For a healthy heart
If you have cholesterol problems, include half a medium raw onion daily in your diet. It lowers cholesterol and prevents heart attacks. It helps correct thrombosis.

Whether you eat it raw or cooked, onions help to lower blood pressure.u00a0 It also thins the blood, dissolve blood clots and clear the blood of unhealthy fats.

Anti-bacterial propertiesu00a0
Boil onion in water till half water evaporates. Sieve onion water, cool it, then drink it. The anti-bacterial properties of onion help to relieve burning sensation in urination.

Fructo- oligosaccharides in onions help in stimulating growth of good bacteria in the colon and reduce risk of colon tumors.

Waste elimination
Don't hesitate to add some onion to your cooking if plagued with chronic constipation and flatulence. It is a good diuretic and increases secretion of urine. Chromium in onions help diabetics improve glucose tolerance and bring down insulin level.u00a0