Why do athletes eat onions?

runnersworld.com - The Benefits of Onions for Runners

What vitamin gives you energy?

Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 along with B6 are best for energy. Almost every cell in the body uses B12. Besides helping form red blood cells, B12...

Last updated Jan 13, 2018

Can nuns inherit money?

Nuns must give up all of their worldly possessions, including patrimony (property, estates, endowments and inheritances). Jul 9, 2020

Last updated Jul 21, 2021

Promotion

Any time you go to the grocery store, you likely toss an onion or two into your cart without thinking twice about it; it’s an easy addition to top your salads or flavor your meals. But, the nutritional value of the veggie is often overlooked, often seen as a way to simply to amp up the taste of your food. “Onions are very much a forgotten vegetable with lots of benefits and flavor,” says culinary and integrative dietitian Marisa Moore, M.B.A., R.D.N. We tapped Moore and New York City-based dietitian Natalie Rizzo, M.S., R.D., to peel back the layers for us on all the health benefits of onions.

More From Runner's World

[Smash your goals with a Runner’s World Training Plan , designed for any speed and any distance.]

What are the health benefits of onions?

Thanks to the presence of certain phytochemicals (plant chemicals that contribute to their color, taste, and smell), including disulfides and trisulfides, onions may help ward off chronic diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers, as part of a balanced healthy diet, Moore says. Plus, onions contain some fiber, vitamin C, and folate, among other nutrients, which can be helpful for boosting health and performance.

How can runners benefit from adding onions to their diet?

Onions contain a beneficial anti-inflammatory compound, known as quercetin. This compound can help reduce the effects of post-workout inflammation in athletes, says Rizzo. Plus, a recent study published in the Journal of Functional Foods found that the quercetin in onions may act as an anti-inflammatory agent. Though there may not be enough to make a measurable difference in your diet just through eating onions alone, Moore says, so be sure to hydrate, stretch and eat a nutritious meal to help with postworkout recovery as well.

How often should you eat onions?

There’s no one recommended frequency, so you can eat onions as often as you please, says Moore. However, Rizzo points out some athletes might find that onions cause GI distress if eaten before exercise. So, you might want to avoid them for that reason, or time your meals with onions around your workouts. But if you can eat onions and feel great, it’s fine to eat them daily, but like everything else, in moderation. This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Are certain types of onions better for you than others?

Red onions also contain some anthocyanins (the same antioxidant found in berries), which may promote healing and recovery, but most onions provide similar benefits, says Moore. Remember, that there are different onions with varying levels of pungency, so what you eat may be based on your individual taste. For example, shallots are quite mild, and white onions are more pungent.

What exercise lowers LDL?

Forms of exercise that help a person lower their total and LDL cholesterol levels include walking, running, cycling, and swimming. Often, these...

Last updated Sep 10, 2020

What drinks lower blood pressure?

Some drinks can help lower your blood pressure, including: Skimmed milk. Low-fat dairy products like yogurt and skimmed milk can help lower high...

Last updated Oct 28, 2018

Promotion

Is there a difference in nutrition between cooked and raw onions?

Yes. Cooked onions may contain less vitamin C than raw onions because of water loss, Moore says. Quickly steaming or sautéing onions will allow you to retain the most nutrients. “But, it’s also fine to include them in soups and stews [which cook] for longer since you’ll eat the broth,” Moore says.

Related Story How Long Can Food Stay Frozen?

And keep in mind, fresh and frozen are exactly the same, says Rizzo. Frozen veggies are picked at the peak of freshness and flash frozen to lock in nutrients. “The difference between fresh and cooked veggies is minimal, but you’ll also want to consider what you use to cook the veggie,” Rizzo says. “For instance, if you use oil, that adds calories and fat to your meal.”

How can you add onions to your diet?

McCormick Culinary Onion Powder McCormick Culinary Onion Powder $12 at Amazon

There are many ways you can eat onions, and if you don’t like them prepared one way, try others before you write them off completely. Moore suggests adding onions as a crunchy, spicy, flavorful ingredient in fresh salsa or relish. Depending on your personal preferences, putting them in a variety of cooked meals including sauces, stews, and soups, will give you a savory flavor, and grilling or roasting them gives you a sweet, standalone vegetable. Additionally, your spice cabinet may already have onion powder. The spice is just dehydrated onions, so it’s essentially the same nutrient profile, says Rizzo. The difference is that you would only use 1 tablespoon of onion powder to replace 1 medium onion in a recipe. One tablespoon of onion powder has about half the nutritional benefits of an actual onion. For instance, an onion has 50 calories, while onion powder has about 20 calories. And an onion has about 200 mg of potassium, while 1 tbsp of onion powder has 70 mg. Jordan Smith Digital Editor Jordan Smith is a writer and editor with over 5 years of experience reporting on health and fitness news and trends. She is a published author, studying for her personal trainer certification, and over the past year became an unintentional Coronavirus expert. She has previously worked at Health, Inc., and 605 Magazine and was the editor-in-chief of her collegiate newspaper. Her love of all things outdoors came from growing up in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

runnersworld.com - The Benefits of Onions for Runners

Do men have to push when they pee?

You shouldn't have to use your muscles to force urine out. A healthy bladder works best if the body just relaxes so that the bladder muscles...

Last updated Apr 30, 2019

Where do you itch with kidney disease?

4 days ago Itching with kidney disease can be generalized, or it can occur in specific parts of the body. Common areas for this type of itching...

Last updated Feb 3, 2019

Promotion

Is it normal to have to push to pee?

A healthy bladder works best if the body just relaxes so that the bladder muscles naturally contract to let the urine flow, rather than using the...

Last updated Aug 7, 2021

Promotion

What can I drink to lower my PSA?

4) Green teas. The nutrients present in green teas can protect the body against prostate cancer and curb the PSA result to some extent. Researchers...

Last updated Mar 2, 2021