Vidalia, Georgia may be famous for their sweet Vidalia onions, but other varieties grow quite well in and around Atlanta. Ask most farmers' wives what grows in the vegetable garden and there will be at least one form of onion. A member of the Allium family, bulb onions provide protection against certain cancers when they are eaten regularly. In Vidalia, where the onions are grown, mortality rates from stomach cancer are approximately half the average rates for the United States. In China, where onions are prepared with two meals a day, the stomach cancer rates are 40 percent lower than those of U.S. citizens.
It does not matter if the onion is raw or cooked, the "good stuff" inside the onion remains in the dish served. The more onion a person eats on a daily basis, the more protection is provided.
A medium onion contains sulfur compounds believed to be the magic bullet against cancer. It has also been linked to lower incidents of colorectal and ovarian cancers. The antioxidant Quercetin helps the body in other ways, as well. Eating onions regularly is good for the cardiovascular system and provides relief for inflamed muscles and tissues.
Each onion contains a healthy percentage of vitamin C, folate, potassium, chromium, calcium, and magnesium. The body needs these vitamins and minerals to function at its best, including the keeping of weight in check. The most important idea, which is easily overlooked, is the proof that eating healthy is the most important weapon against cancer, arthritis, heart disease, and numerous other health issues. By greatly limiting processed foods and returning to homegrown vegetables and fruits, the nation could reduce healthcare cost simply by living a more healthy lifestyle.
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