Scallions: The Disease Fighting Vegetable and Its Many Benefits

Related Articles

Scallions are known by many names including green onions, spring onions, and green garlic. They belong to the allium family of root vegetables include additional flavorful members including shallots, onions, garlic and leeks. Allium vegetables are called as such due to a powerful healing substance that is present in them called allicin.

Scallions are essentially just onions that are harvested prematurely, that is before bulbs begin to form. Because they are harvested young, their flavor is just mild enough to be consume raw unlike many of their more pungent onion cousins.

The scallion is a popular ingredient in various dishes around the world, and tends to make a flavorful addition to most savory dishes.

Health Benefits of Scallions:

1. Bone Health

Added to improving blood clotting, and preventing heart disease, the vitamin K content of scallions may also help in strengthening your bones. Vitamin K helps in improving bone heath by increasing the production of a certain protein required to maintain bone calcium and increase bone density.

A study, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, supplemented approximately 241 patients with osteoporosis using vitamin K, which lowered the risk of fractures for the participants, while also helped maintain their bone density.

Another study in 2000, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that a low vitamin K intake was linked with an increased risk of hip fractures in both elderly women and men.

The vitamin K present in scallions may work in combination with vitamin D and calcium, therefore, make sure to get some sunlight each day and include calcium-rich foods in your diet to help boost your bone health more.

2. Cancer Prevention

Adding scallions may offer chemo-preventive benefits. Evidence reported in the July-September 2004 edition of the “Asia Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention” correlates the intake of allium vegetables, including scallions, to a reduced risk of some types of cancer. Although, additional research is needed to confirm the usefulness of scallion as a cancer-fighter.

See also  How Healthy are Pineapples?

3. Eye Health

Excellent for the health of your eyes, is one of the biggest benefits of scallion. Scallion is a type of onion that contains a significant amount of Vitamin A in it.

This is found to be important for the retina to absorb more light and with this, sharpening your vision and preventing you from developing night blindness. Also, the Vitamin A present in scallions can prevent several eye disorders such as ulcers and caratracts of the cornea.

If you are eating scallions, your daily Vitamin A requirement will be meet.

4. Lowers Blood Sugar

Scallions contain a property known as allyl propyl disulfide, which is known for its ability to help reduce blood sugar levels. Also, scallions contain roughly 20% of an inbdividual’s required daily value of the trace mineral called chromium.

Chromium is essential for regulating insulin within the blood, and has been reported to reduce resting glucose levels, decrease overall cholesterol levels and lower insulin levels.

5. Skin Health

Scallions help in improving the health of your skin due to 1 particular compound known as allicin. This compound which is present in scallions will provide protection to your skin from the signs of wrinkles and early aging.

Also, allicin will also make your skin glow as well as increase its tone. The Vitamin C which is contained in the scallion is proven to be very beneficial, as its bleaching agents provide your skin with a natural glow.

Naturally, the Vitamin C content will help in fighting against the damage of the free radicals, therefore, providing you with that healthy looking skin.

Sources:
Dr. Axe
Livestrong

Related Articles:
1. Jute Leaves (Saluyot): For Asthma, Diabetes, Heart Health and More
2. How Cabbage Can Reduce Your Colon Cancer Risk
3. Raspberry Leaf Tea: For Boosting Fertility , Heart Health and More

photo credit: pixabay

More on this topic

Comments

Popular stories