Natural Power These bulbous plants keep the intestines and heart healthy

Onions, garlic, leek and co - health benefits for the gut and heart

Extremely versatile and very healthy - with these characteristics many types of vegetables can be described. Onion plants play a particularly prominent role here. Thanks to their healthy ingredients, they help to prevent intestinal complaints and cardiovascular diseases.

Valuable ingredients

Onions, shallots, spring onions, pearl and silver onions, garlic, leek, chives and wild garlic: bulbous plants are indispensable in the kitchen. They are appreciated not only for their savory taste, but also for their valuable ingredients that help, among other things, bowel problems and help to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Onions are indispensable in the kitchen. They are appreciated not only for their savory taste, but also for their healthy ingredients. (Image: Mara Zemgaliete / fotolia.com)

Healthy sulphides

Onion plants vary in taste from sweetish-mild to aromatic-spicy. They are not only delicious, they are also extremely healthy.

As the consumer service Bayern explained in a message, the characteristic taste comes from the sulfur-containing ingredients, the sulfides.

The sulfides belonging to the bioactive plant substances have antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Because they can lower blood pressure and cholesterol and inhibit blood clotting, bulbous plants play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Furthermore, sulfides should also reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as stomach cancer.

Sulfides are part of the essential mustard oils in the onion, which appetite stimulating and digestive, as they stimulate the salivary and gastric juice secretion.

Improved intestinal flora

In addition, bulbous plants contain fructans. These fibers have a prebiotic effect, which means that they feed the "good" bacteria in the large intestine and improve the composition of the intestinal flora.

However, too many fructans can cause flatulence and intestinal discomfort in susceptible individuals.

The Bavarian consumer service also points out that bulbous plants also contain significant amounts of vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and the phytochemicals flavonoids.

Onions in natural medicine

In natural medicine, onion syrup with honey has proven itself as a home remedy for coughing.

In addition, onions are used as a home remedy for earache, toothache and boils.

It is therefore not surprising that bulbous plants have been used as medicinal plants for millennia.

Proper storage

Onions should according to the consumer service Bavaria dry, dark, cool and airy - not in plastic bags - be stored.

Brown onions last up to half a year, white some weeks. Red onions, spring onions and leeks are best kept in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator and consumed within one week.

Wild garlic and chives remain, wrapped in damp kitchen paper, fresh in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for one to two days.

Tips for preparation

The sharp aroma of raw onion or leek pieces is reduced when steaming in a little oil. This creates a mild sweetness that cooks like to round off with wine or vinegar.

Spices such as nutmeg, parsley, chervil and thyme underline the aroma of the leek, and the combination with mild curry also tastes interesting.

When cutting onions, less tears flow when you cut with a sharp knife on a moistened board and open the window. (Ad)