Onion Protects the Heart

Perhaps western people die for a fistful of onions only in spaghetti, while in fact onion could prolong your life. A new research made at the British Institute of Food Research points to the fact that a diet rich in the chemicals called flavonoids decreases early signs of heart disease. This new research focused on the flavonoid called quercetin, encountered in tea, onions, apples and red wine.

The research investigated the effect of broken-down molecules of quercetin in the body. These compounds were found to impede chronic inflammation that causes the thickening of the arteries. Other researches discovered that quercetin was metabolized very quickly by the intestine and liver and was not encountered in the original form in human blood, that's why the team tracked a chemical appearing in the bloodstream after quercetin is absorbed and metabolized.

Cells coming from the lining of the blood vessels were exposed to those chemicals in amounts similar to those appearing in the blood after digestion. "We tested compounds that are actually found in the blood, rather than the flavonoid in food before it is eaten, as only these compounds will actually come into contact with human tissues and have an effect on arterial health. The effect is more subtle than laboratory experiments using the parent compound. But the metabolites still have an effect on the cells lining the blood vessels.", said lead researcher Dr Paul Kroon.

Inflammatory processes were effectively stopped by the chemicals coming from 100-200g of ingested onions. "Inflammation is an important process in the furring up of arteries that can lead to heart disease and stroke and this study gives us clues as to why a diet rich in fruit and vegetables appears to reduce the risk of these conditions. In the UK we are only consuming about two portions of fruit and vegetables per day on average, so this study underlines the importance of getting your five a day to stay healthy throughout life.", said Bridget Aisbitt, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation.