It is well known that increasing one's consumption of a wide range of vegetables has a fountain of youth effect on health. Each of these veggies has a strong point, and the humble onion's special power lies in cardiovascular support. As well as being a rich source of anti-inflammatory sulfur compounds, insulin-controlling chromium, and osteoporosis-preventing GPCS, the onion has been scientifically shown to significantly lower cholesterol.
Significance
A component of onion breaks down fibrin, a clotting factor in the blood.
Considerations
A1975 study found that the portion of the onion directly responsible for the reduction of cholesterol in the body is in the vegetable's essential oil.
Misconceptions
Cooked onion, habitually consumed, is just as effective as raw onion at lowering cholesterol--perhaps because it's much easier to stick to.
Warning
Some studies conducted used amounts of fresh onion that could be considered unacceptably high in a person's everyday diet.
Fun Fact
One study showed that the consumption of one half of a raw onion raised "good" cholesterol (high density lipoproteins, or HDL) by 30 percent.
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