Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Onions and Influenza

We've talked about onions before. It is thought that bulbs from the onion family have been used as a food source for millennia. In Bronze Age settlements, traces of onion remains were found alongside fig and date stones dating back to 5000 BC.

In addition to being a food source, wide-ranging claims have been made for the effectiveness of onions against conditions ranging from the common cold to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other diseases. They contain chemical compounds believed to have anti-inflammatory, anticholesterol, anticancer, and antioxidant properties such as quercetin. However, it has not been conclusively demonstrated that increased consumption of onions is directly linked to health benefits.

And nor do onions keep you from getting the flu. This week, a look at the myth of onions absorbing the influenza virus.

TTFN, Fred.

Quote of the week: "In this galaxy there’s a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in the universe, three million million galaxies like this. And in all that, and perhaps more...only one of each of us." - Doctor Leonard McCoy, Star Trek: The Original Series, "Balance of Terror"


(scroll over or click on iPaper below to have a drop-down menu that includes a print option)


Onion Fielded


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