They smell so bad, they must be good for you

There may be some truth to this. Although many people are well-aware of the healthful properties of garlic, research suggests that its pungent cousin, Allium cepa, is even better.

Onions are a potent anti-cancer food. Many published studies from Italy and Switzerland were recently reviewed by Italian researcher Carlotta Galeone in Milan. People with the most onions in their diet had much lower risk of developing cancers of the mouth and throat, esophagus, stomach, colon and pancreas. These are all part of the digestive tract, which is in direct contact with the onions you eat. But they also had fewer cancers of the prostate, ovary and kidney. Interesting.

Another interesting study found that onions can help re-grow hair. When 37 people with stress-related hair loss, also called alopecia areata, rinsed their heads with onion juice or water for two weeks, 97% of the onion-washers had more hair six weeks later. This study reminded me of my grandmother who used to do the same thing.

Onions have also been shown to stabilize many of the cells involved in immune reactions and inflammation. Animal studies have shown benefits in asthma, and in heart-related problems like diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol. Human studies are sure to follow. Their high sulphur content makes them a good choice for detoxification of mercury and other heavy metals, but there is no proof of this yet.

Don’t forget the breath mints.