“Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it? We both have layers.”
Shrek
Allegorizing this smelly root vegetable is not new. The ancient world saw the many layers of the onion as a symbol of eternal life. Onions may not have the power to grant life everlasting, but new research is peeling back some impressive data that reveals that including onions as a regular part of juicing could improve and prolong life. And unlike ogres, onions add a tasty zip to any veggie juice.
The Healing Powers and Health Benefits of Onion Juice
Lowers Risk of Blood Clots
Protects Against Lung Cancer
Protects From Breast Cancer
Rid the Body of Excess Mucus
Onion Juice Nutrition
Good source of vitamin B6 and C, potassium, folate and manganese
Nutrition Facts
Onion Juice is an excellent source of:
Onion Juice is a good source of:
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Folate Acid
- Manganese
- Potassium
Phytochemicals & Antioxidants in Onion Juice
The onion is a member of the garlic family and has many of the same therapeutic properties. Just as the healing magic in garlic is all in the smell, so it is with onions. When the membranes of the onion are disrupted by the bite of a hungry insect or cut by a chef’s knife, strong-smelling organosulfer compounds are produced, which act as an insect repellant. Research is revealing that organosulfer also has the ability to repel cancer in humans. Michael Wargovich, director of basic research at South Carolina Cancer Center, says, “We’ve found the sulfur compounds in garlic and onions very promising in fighting against colon, esophagus, and breast cancer.” Organosulfer is also turning out to be an effective blood thinner, which prevents unwanted clotting.
Through a series of experiments, Dr. Victor Gurewich has demonstrated that onions improve the ratio of good to bad cholesterol and can elevate beneficial HDL by as much as 30%.
All types of onions contain organosulfer compounds (the more tears while cutting, the higher the amount), but eating yellow or red onions provides added flavonoid quercetin and anthocyanin pigments. Red onions top the charts with the highest amount of quercetin.
A study at the University of Hawaii has shown that eating onions can reduce the risk of cancer by an incredible 50%. As an added bonus, these flavonoids act as antioxidants and strong anti-inflammatories.
Preparing for Juicing
No need to peel the onions, just cut and juice. As with garlic, juice onions first so the other veggies that follow can clean out the volatile oils from inside the juicer.
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Onion Juice Tips
Always wash your cutting board well with soap and warm water after cutting onions or garlic. As someone who uses very little dish soap, I learned this the hard way. Cantaloupe juice with undertones of onion is an acquired taste. Also, always juice fruits first, then veggies.
Picking Perfect Produce
Look for ogres that are rich green . . . Sorry, look for firm onions with dry, papery skins. Large Spanish onions are sweeter and milder in flavor, making them better for juicing.
Storing Your Produce
Do not store onions in the refrigerator. I use a hanging mesh basket to store my garlic and onions. Will keep up to two weeks.
Taste Combos
I find adding strong raw flavors like garlic and onion to your veggie juices takes a bit of getting used to. So it’s best to start off with just a little. I started gradually, but was quickly able to increase the amount to the point that I craved the added zip of the onion and garlic, and my veggie juice tasted bland without them. A little warning, though: if you are trying to sell a friend on the benefits of juicing, make sure you start them on something mild like cantaloupe or carrot and apple. You may have grown accustomed to the stronger-tasting juices, but to their McDonald’s palette, it will taste horrible. And first impressions are important.
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The The Juice Nut Guide To Juicing (eBook) is available to purchase now!
If you are interested in anti-aging, detoxifying, and maintaining radiant health, or discovering what type of juice will heal and protect from just about every ailment, then this is book for you. In an easy, fun read, Ron provides detailed nutritional information about all of the common fruits and veggies in your supermarket, plus 20 years of personal juicing tips. Everything you need to know about juicing in one book! (Available in PDF & Kindle formats)
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