The onions are a bulbous plants  belonging to the Liliaceae family although some place them  in the Amaryllidaceae family. It's known for its edible bulb, which can vary in color from white to red to purple.

Nutritional Value

Onions are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds. One of the most notable compounds present in onions is quercetin, a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Culinary Uses

Onions are widely used in cuisines around the world. They can be consumed raw, cooked, fried, steamed, or as a base for sauces and stews.

Traditional and Cultural Uses

Beyond its use in the kitchen, the onion has a long history of use in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, from colds and coughs to digestive issues.

Storage and Treatment

Fresh-cut onion presents storage challenges due to tissue damage, leading to chemical and physiological reactions limiting product shelf-life. Intensive discoloration, microbial growth, and off-odors are typical issues that need to be addressed.

Health Benefits

Onions have antibacterial properties and can help reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases. Quercetin, found in onions, has been linked to preventing age-related diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Animal studies have shown the effectiveness of onion as an anticoagulant.

Human studies have found the usefulness of onion combined with other vegetables to prevent cardiovascular problems.

As an anti-inflammatory, a component of the onion, Onionin A found in the bulb, has been shown to perform an action to counteract inflammatory blood activity (1).

There would also appear to be an action to improve the balance of blood sugar.

It is recommended, along with garlic, shallots and chives to prevent prostate cancer (2).

The best known red onions in Italy are the red head of Tropea and Certaldo.

Red onion studies

References________________________________________________________________________

(1) Fujiwara Y, Horlad H, Shiraishi D, Tsuboki J, Kudo R, Ikeda T, Nohara T, Takeya M, Komohara Y. Onionin A, a sulfur-containing compound isolated from onions, impairs tumor development and lung metastasis by inhibiting the protumoral and immunosuppressive functions of myeloid cells.  Mol Nutr Food Res. 2016 Nov;60(11):2467-2480. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201500995.

(2) Colli JL, Amling CL. Chemoprevention of prostate cancer: what can be recommended to patients?  Curr Urol Rep. 2009 May;10(3):165-71. Review.