The inflammation It is a natural defense mechanism of the body that is activated when the immune system detects harmful agents. Its function is to protect and repair the body. The problem appears when this process is prolonged and becomes chronic. “The chronic inflammation “It occurs when the inflammatory response is not resolved and/or when harmful stimuli persist in the body,” explains the nutritionist. Julia Farre.
Among its causes are pollution, toxic products, poor diet, stress, persistent infections, smoking or alcohol. Unlike acute inflammation, it does not usually cause pain, but it can damage organs over time. In addition, it increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes, cancer or cardiovascular diseases.
The anti-inflammatory diet, far from being a fad or a quick method to lose weight, seeks a lifestyle based on healthy eating with the aim of reducing inflammation in the body and lowering insulin levels in the blood. It focuses on including nutrients and beneficial foods, avoiding ultra-processed products and sugars.
One of the foods that should be included in the diet would be purple onion. Carlos de Miguel (@forever.young.sp), an expert in nutrition and aging, explains that it is a particularly attractive food due to its richness in antioxidants, among which one in particular stands out: quercetin. One of the most striking aspects is that the quercetin It is not concentrated as much inside the onion as in its external layers: “This antioxidant is not found in the onion itself, but in the external layer, so it should be used in its entirety.”
When preparing it, it is advisable not to remove too many parts, but rather to remove only the most superficial layer, the one that looks most similar to paper, and use the rest completely. That is where the highest concentration of this antioxidant is found, so discarding more than necessary means losing a good part of its nutritional value.
This detail, which often goes unnoticed, completely changes the way it is consumed. It is not just about including red onion in dishes, but about doing it in a way that allows the compounds of interest to be preserved as much as possible. In this way, a gesture as simple as do not peel it excessively It can make a difference and ensure better performance from a simple, everyday food available to anyone.
Cardiovascular benefits
Furthermore, quercetin is associated with cardiovascular benefits and it is also valued for its role in aging. This combination makes red onion stand out as a very complete alternative in a diet that seeks a powerful antioxidant effect without resorting to expensive or difficult-to-find products. However, one of its most practical advantages is that it withstands heat quite well from a nutritional point of view.
This means that it is not necessary to consume it exclusively raw to benefit from its properties. It can be grilled for a long time and even boiled without completely losing its interest. Even so, the most relevant thing is that, in the case of cooking, the resulting broth also concentrates quercetin. That is, not only the onion itself can be used, but also the liquid in which it has been cooked, which further expands its possibilities in daily cooking.
Thus, anyone looking for a powerful, economical and easy-to-find antioxidant has a highly recommended alternative in red onion. It is a humble, accessible and versatile food that, when used well, can provide much more than it seems at first glance.
