What Makes Green Onions a Better Healthy Option

Updated on April 16th, 2020
green onion

Green onions are popularly known as scallions. Regularly used in soups, salads, stir-fries, and any dish that needs a dash of flavor, scallions have been grown in central Asia for centuries.

They may be cooked or used raw. Diced scallions find their way into noodle and seafood delicacies, sandwiches, curries, and even as an ingredient in a stir fry. From Mexico to Japan, from Vietnam to India, and across the United Kingdom and Southern Philippines, green onions are used. Along with an incredibly tangy taste, there are many health benefits of green onions.

Green Onions Nutrition Facts:

Every 100 grams of green onions has

Energy 32 Kcal
Carbs 7.4 g
Protein 1.83 g
Total Fat 0.30 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Dietary Fiber 2.6 g

Health Benefits of Green Onions

1. Protects the body

There are many antioxidants in green onions(1). The onion group vegetables are known to be rich in phytonutrients, including antioxidants that can help your cells repair cellular damage. There are antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols in green onions.

They hunt down damage-inducing free radicals, substances in the body that can lead to inflammation, age-related ailments, and even cancer. Care must be taken, however, to eat the green onion without cooking to make full use of its antioxidant value.

[Read: Natural Remedies for Inflammation]

2. Rich in Vitamins

Vitamins
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Green onions are rich in essential vitamins like vitamin C and K. They are one of the richest natural sources of vitamin K. Just One hundred grams of fresh greens provides us about 172% of our daily recommended intake of vitamin K. Vitamin K is vital as it plays an essential role in bone density by promoting bone formation and strengthening activity.

Good amounts of vitamin K in the diet helps to limit neuronal damage in the brains, thus slowing the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease(2).

[Read: Alzheimer’s disease Treatment]

3. Good for Pregnant Mothers

Green onions are rich in B-complex vitamins, and a host of other essential minerals like manganese, copper, iron, and calcium. These vegetables contain important vitamins like folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and thiamin in healthy proportions.

One hundred grams of fresh green onions provide around 64µg of foliates. Foliates play a crucial role in DNA synthesis and cell division. If expectant mothers want to prevent neural tube defects in newborn babies, they should maintain healthy levels of folic acid in their system.

4. Effective Blood-Clotting Agent

Thanks to their richness in vitamin K, green onions are a good clotting agent. A good level of vitamin K in the diet helps prevent unnecessary blood loss when you get injured. A vitamin K deficiency can be downright dangerous, causing easy bruising and nasal and oral bleeding. Well, vitamin K enables platelets and plasma to form a good clot to avoid further blood loss(3).

5. Increases Immunity

Green onions are rich in vitamin C. This essential antioxidant has been known to enhance immune function, and prevent infection. For example, a good level of vitamin C in the system reduces the symptoms of a cold, lessening its severity.

Also, the recovery time for common colds decreases, if you have good levels of vitamin C. It also has other antibacterial and antiviral properties, and this makes it an excellent medicine to fight against viral and flu. It helps in the reduction of excess mucus and fights against the biting winter cold.

[Read: Essential Oils for Immunity]

6. Good for the Eyes

Green onions are rich in carotenoids. Carotenoids have antioxidant properties, and some can even be converted into vitamin A, which is an essential component for healthy human health and growth. In addition, vitamin A is good for vision. Eating carotenoids helps protect the healthy cells in our eyes, preventing the growth of cancerous cells.

One of the most common causes of blindness is macular degeneration or the slow degeneration of our retina. Carotenoids have lutein, and just incorporating around 6 milligrams a day of the latter in your diet can reduce the risk of falling prey to macular degeneration by at least 43%.

[Read: Onion Juice for Hair Growth]

How to use Green Onions?

Green onions may be consumed either fresh or cooked. Furthermore, they may be either consumed independently or in conjunction with other items. They are an essential ingredient in many dishes and find their way into our body thanks to a number of great recipes from various corners of the world.

Myths and Side Effects

Being a vegetable green onions do not have side effects. However, some people might get irritation if the vegetable touches the skin. Furthermore, your eyes may fill with tears, as is often the case when handling regular onions.

Conclusion

Are green onions good for you? Yes. Green onions are an invaluable part of our cuisine. Found in cultures worldwide, it is indeed a globally desired vegetable that adds a unique flavor and twist to any dish. Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other great substances, green onions are great for our health. So make them a part of your diet, and bring a new taste into your life.


FAQs

1. How Long Do Green Onions Last?

To maximize the shelf life of raw green onions, store them in a ziplock plastic bag and store in the vegetable section of your refrigerator.

2. Are Scallions and Green Onions the Same?

Yes, they are the same.

3. Are Chives and Green Onions the Same Thing?

No. Green onions are Allium fistulosum, and chives are Allium schoenoprasum. So while they are both Alliums, they are different species.

4. How Many Carbs in Green Onions?

There are 7.34 grams of carbs per one hundred grams of green onions.

5. How Many Calories in Green Onions?

In green onions, calories are present to the tune of 32 Kcal per one hundred grams of green onions.

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