By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

It’s called, “phlegm,” “mucus,” “snot,” “loogies,” or even “boogers,” and some of us have more than others. We sniff, snort, clear our throats, cough, and spit it out. And it can be pretty gross.

We all have about 1 to 1.5 liters of it that pass through our system every day, and some of us have more mucus than others. It can be thick, green, yellow, brown, or clear and thin. It’s all mucus and it serves some vital functions in the body.

What is this slimy stuff?

Mucus is a lubricating, protective substance made mostly of water and a gel-forming molecule called mucin. Mucus lines the nose, sinuses, the eyes, the mouth, the digestive system, the vagina and more.

Mucus serves to protect the sensitive areas, remove dirt, pollen, and other pathogens, and keep tissues moist. Mucus also lubricates organs and cavities in the body, allowing you to move freely without things sticking to each other. Ouch!

Some of the cells in these areas of your body release a mixture of proteins, salts, fats, and immune molecules, and other cells covered with tiny hair-like projections called ‘cilia’ sweep the mucus along. Sort of like automatic house cleaning in your body.

We tend to notice the mucus in our nasal passages and throat the most because this is the stuff that catches dirt, dust, pollen, and pathogens and gets thick and gooey. Sometimes it can run down your throat, causing you to have to clear your throat often.

Phlegm is also mucus that ends up down in your lungs due to breathing irritating air, having a cold or lower respiratory infection or pollen that you breathe in. Phlegm helps you cough up some of those things you’ve inhaled.

Phlegm also happens when you are sick, and a virus gets down in your lower respiratory passages. This irritating virus and the resulting immune reaction cause thick mucus to deposit in your bronchial tubes and lungs. Result— you cough up, thick chunks of yellow, green, or brown mucus, called phlegm.

Our bodies make mucus all the time, but we only tend to notice it when it’s excessive and thick. In fact, your body normally produces about 1 to 1.5 liters of mucus a day.

What causes excess mucus?

• Dairy products, especially conventional dairy
• Inflammation from grains, i.e., gluten
• Nightshade sensitivity
• Vegetable seed oils, like sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, soybean, corn, canola, etc.
• Colds, flu, covid, and other respiratory infections
• Inhaling smoke, dust, animal dander, mold spores, and air pollution
• Certain medications, like birth control pills, or blood pressure medications
• Pregnancy
• Acid reflux
• Smoking
• Asthma
• Cystic fibrosis
• COPD
• Dehydration
• Alcohol
• Excess inflammation, anywhere in the body

Stop the constant drip, drip, drip…

Many people have ongoing mucus issues and don’t understand the cause—nor understand that it can be eliminated. But you can reduce and/or eliminate this annoying goo.

There are a variety of ways to reduce or thin your mucus secretions, both naturally and medically. Let’s dig in…

1. Diet

Diet is the biggest factor in causing excess mucus secretions, and this can vary from person to person. However, there are a few foods that create more mucus for most people.

These include conventional, processed dairy, which can be a big issue, especially if you tend to have an allergy or sensitivity to dairy. Dairy can cause everything from stuffy nose, to blocked sinuses, and even coughing up phlegm. Switching to raw dairy, or even A2 type of dairy can eliminate this mucus clogging food.

Other foods that contribute to mucus include all grains, especially gluten, corn, and soy. Processed, refined grains are the worst for mucus production. Grains are highly inflammatory to the entire body, and this causes excess production of mucus.

An often-overlooked food that causes excess mucus are nightshades. Many people are sensitive to one or more of these foods, and don’t even know it. You don’t have to have a dramatic reaction to these foods. In fact, the mucus production may be the only reaction you notice. Nightshades include white potatoes, all varieties of peppers, tomatoes (often canned or cooked ones are more of a problem), eggplant, okra, and even goji berries.

Other foods that can cause excess mucus are certain fruits and vegetables like leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. While you wouldn’t think of these foods as causing inflammation, for many, these foods can inflame the digestive system, creating more mucus or phlegm. Examples of fruits or vegetables that increase mucus include spinach, kale, cabbage, bananas, and potatoes.

One of the worst offenders for causing mucus and inflammation includes vegetable seed oils such as sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, corn, canola, soybean, grapeseed, or just ‘vegetable oil’. These oils are known to be highly inflammatory to the body and the lungs. Many people who have asthma report increased inflammation and difficulties breathing when ingesting vegetable oils.

Refined cane sugar can really exacerbate inflammation as well as mucus production. On top of that, sugar can totally knock out or reduce your immune system responses to viral and bacterial infections. Lowered immune function results in catching more colds, flu, and bacterial infections—all of which cause increased mucus and phlegm.

Alcoholic beverages—especially beer and wine can increase mucus production as well. Because alcohol inflames the digestive tract, this causes excess mucus to be produced. The worst alcoholic beverages for mucus and phlegm are dark beers and red wine. Both contain high quantities of yeasts and molds, along with histamines that create a stuffy nose and sinuses.

2. Irritating Allergens in Your Environment

This may be easier said than done, but when pollen, dust, animal dander or other allergens are floating around in the air, it’s best to reduce your exposure. If it’s pollen from plants and trees that bothers you, spending time indoors with air conditioning or an air filter may be best. If it’s indoor allergens, vacuuming and dusting frequently may help.

One thing that makes a huge difference during allergy season, is eliminating any foods that increase inflammation and mucus. I personally have found that avoiding eating any grains or sugar, as well as certain nightshades makes a huge difference in my reaction to other environmental allergens. So, before you lock up the dog and lock yourself inside, make some healthy tweaks to your diet, and you may find that your runny nose, cough, and watery eyes disappear during allergy season if you are avoiding inflammatory foods.

Another helpful practice is to use a Neti pot during allergy ‘season’ or when exposed to allergens in the air. It can wash out the irritating substances and reduce the mucus in your nasal and sinus pathways.

3. Medication

Conventional medical doctors will want you to try taking decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal sprays. However, I am not a big believer in these remedies as they often have unwanted side effects (no surprise here).

Decongestants–Common decongestants can be effective but also are extremely drying to your body and can cause dehydration, since they work systemically. Decongestants even dry out your eyes and make them feel irritated and scratchy.

Decongestants have a common side effect of making you feel jittery and anxious—kind of like having too much caffeine. While feeling this way is not fun at any time of the day, feeling jittery at night can wreck a good night’s sleep. Decongestants also constrict blood vessels, causing a possibly dangerous increase in blood pressure.

Antihistamines–On the other hand, antihistamines can not only be very drying, but they have the added side effect of making you feel extremely groggy and drowsy. While you may have less mucus, you may not even be able to function with these medications.

Nasal Sprays–The three most often used types of nasal sprays are steroid, antihistamine, and decongestant. While nasal sprays can temporarily clear your nose, you can actually become physically addicted to them—very quickly.

Nasal sprays have a ‘rebound’ effect, and while they can constrict the blood vessels in the nose, helping to shrink your nasal tissues and helping you breathe easy, once they wear off, breathing and mucus production will be worse. Nasal sprays, like decongestants, can also dangerously raise blood pressure, so beware. A saline nasal spray may be the best option to thin mucus.

Expectorants–Expectorants can help to loosen and break up phlegm in the chest, helping you cough up and clear out your bronchial tubes and lungs. Conventional medical expectorants can encourage a cough, while other cough suppressant medicines stop a tickling cough. Elderberry cough medicine, which is a natural-based cough medicine, uses elderberry extracts to help break up the phlegm for a more productive cough.

4. Natural Solutions

Besides dietary changes, there are a few effective treatments you can do to reduce the amount of mucus secretions and the viscosity (thickness).

Hydration—The simple act of drinking more water or fluids can help to thin out secretions. Since mucus is a body fluid, anything that helps to increase bodily fluids will help to thin mucus. Approximately 60% of the human body is water–plus or minus 15%. Losing only 3% of your weight in water can result in dehydration.

Neti pot—Neti pots help to clean allergens, dust, and animal dander out of the nose, while flushing out the sinuses. Neti pots clean the nasal passages with a salt and water solution and are easy to use. You can also purchase an over-the-counter saline nasal spray which basically works the same as a Neti pot.

Essential Oils—One of my favorite methods is to use essential oils to help clear the sinuses, and even the bronchial tubes and lungs. Eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil, rosemary oil and oregano oil all work well to help reduce congestion and mucus. One of the best ways to use these oils is to put several drops into boiling or almost boiling water, lean over the pot and cover your head with a towel to trap in the essential oil and steam. Breathe deeply.

Natural Supplements—Anything derived of elderberries works well to break up and reduce mucus. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a popular lung supplement that has been found to help patients with advanced COPD by reducing phlegm and thinning mucus. Ginger—either fresh ginger, or in a capsule is also effective at reducing mucus. Bromelain and pancreatic enzymes are often recommended to reduce and thin out phlegm and mucus in the body.

Making the above changes in diet and lifestyle along with adding in the necessary natural supplements will help you reduce your production of mucus and stop that annoying urge to clear your throat or blow your nose.

References
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324570
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2020/08/marvels-mucus-phlegm
https://www.respiratorytherapyzone.com/vegetable-oils-are-damaging-your-lungs/
https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/how-to-get-rid-of-phlegm
https://ezyschooling.com/parenting/expert/five-foods-that-flush-out-mucus-from-the-body
https://www.everydayhealth.com/sinus-health-guide/sinus-congestion-and-mucus.aspx

The post Why do I Have So Much Mucus (Snot) appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

I have been taking Vitamin C to prevent colds and the flu since the 70’s, when Linus Pauling declared vitamin C’s ability to defeat the common cold. I have always thought it helped prevent or shorten any illness. Since then, it’s been a hotly debated subject as to how effective it actually is for preventing colds, and influenza. Personally, I am a believer.

Vitamin C is a very potent antioxidant that protects against free radicals that can lower your immunity, and increase the risk of chronic disease, as well as speed up the aging process.

Vitamin C does help the immune system protect against viral infections and other types of infections more efficiently. It does this by strengthening the function of our innate immune system, which is our first line of defense against bacteria and viruses—especially those we have never encountered before.

In addition, vitamin C also activates the adaptive immune system responses to increase levels of antibodies which attack specific types of germs, bacteria and viruses that the body has previously fought off.

One of the hallmark signs of vitamin C deficiency is a weakened immune system.  A study out of Switzerland found that getting adequate levels of vitamin C can help reduce the symptoms and duration of respiratory infections, such as the common cold, bronchitis, or sinusitis. And, when combined with zinc, more importantly, it can also prevent or improve outcomes of pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea infections as well.

Some of the most convincing evidence of vitamin C’s ability to fight respiratory infections comes from a large study of 29 randomized trials that included more than 11,000 participants. Researchers found that active athletes who exercised in cold weather cut their risk of respiratory infections in half by taking only 200mg of vitamin C a day. Taking just 200mg of vitamin C per day also reduced the duration of the cold and flu symptoms significantly, helping people return to work and their lives more quickly.

Vitamin C is also effective at both preventing cancer cells and stopping their spread. A study from Finland shows vitamin C’s ability to help prevent heart disease—people who took 700mg of vitamin C a day had a 25% lower chance of developing heart disease, as well as lowering both triglycerides and levels of (bad) LDL cholesterol.

Unfortunately, humans are one of the only species who cannot create vitamin C in their bodies. So we must get it from our diets and supplementation. Vitamin C is also water soluble, so it easily washes out of the body. If you want the benefits of vitamin C, you’ll need to consume it daily, and not just at the start of getting sick.
While high doses of vitamin C may be effective at helping with some health issues, most of the vitamin C over 400 mg may get washed out in the urine. High doses of vitamin C work best in divided doses throughout the day, otherwise, it may cause digestive upset and diarrhea.

A recent study published in Seminars in Preventive and Alternative Medicine looked at over 100 studies and found a growing list of benefits of vitamin C. Some of those health benefits include:

• Protecting against heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes
• Lowering bad cholesterol levels including LDL and triglycerides
• Helping prevent cataracts and macular degeneration
• Reducing aging by building up collagen that prevents wrinkles
• Protecting the kidneys, eyes and blood vessels of those with diabetes
• Enhancing the absorption of iron, preventing anemia
• Reducing histamine reactions, lessening the symptoms of allergies and inflammation
• Preventing seasickness
• Strengthening and helping repair tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in the body.

Since we don’t make vitamin C, it’s easy to become deficient in it. Some of the signs of low vitamin C include:

• Bruising
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Slow wound healing
• Dry hair
• Rough scaly skin
• Nosebleeds
• Weak immune system, frequent colds and flu
• Digestive disorders like leaky gut and food allergies
• High blood pressure and heart disease

Because the vitamin C in foods is accompanied by a host of other healthy antioxidants and super nutrients, it’s best to eat foods with high vitamin C content. Some of the highest levels of vitamin C in foods include all forms of citrus fruits, kiwi, peppers—especially red peppers, papaya, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes, kale, guava, and mango. But it’s easy to get plenty of healthful vitamin C just by choosing a wide variety of organic, brightly colored vegetables. Keep in mind that overcooking destroys the vitamin C, so cook lightly or eat raw.

However, you should probably still consider supplementing to achieve the optimal protective levels of vitamin C in your body. While high doses are generally safe, it is still important not to exceed the and upper limit of about 2,000 milligrams a day to avoid adverse digestive symptoms such as stomach upset and diarrhea.

Liposomal (or pro-liposomal) vitamin C is a brand new highly absorbable option for high-dose vitamin C. When you take the common form of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) only about 14-30% of it is actually absorbed in the body. And the absorption rate goes down, the higher the dosage. Dosage of standard forms of vitamin C are only about 200-1,000 mg/day but with liposomal vitamin C you can safely take 1000-2000mg a day and know it will all be absorbed.

This is where liposomal vitamin C has an advantage.

Liposomes are particular microscopic spheres that carry vitamin C at their core. Their absorption does not depend on vitamin C transporters, but rather on the direct fusion of the liposome with the small intestinal cells resulting in direct intracellular (inside the cells) release of the vitamin C and eventually into the blood circulation. Liposomal vitamin C has a substantially improved rate of absorption than conventional vitamin C supplements which further magnifies all the health benefits of vitamin C.

Experts agree that Vitamin C, in combination with a healthy lifestyle, can boost your immune system and help prevent colds and flu, or shorten the duration.

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References
https://coremedscience.com/blogs/wellness/how-to-pick-the-best-liposomal-vitamin-c
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-C#common-cold-treatment
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-coronavirus#recommendation
https://draxe.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-foods/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219352#what_is_vitamin_C_and_why_do_we_need_it

The post Vitamin C and Your Immune System appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

Nothing soothes and warms like a homemade chicken soup. This soup is especially warm, delicious and comforting, especially on a chilly day. You don’t have to be sick to appreciate its healing qualities, but it certainly will warm your soul and your body if you are.

Avgolemono–it’s a mouthful! (avgo means ‘egg’; lemono means ‘lemon’) soup is a dish that Greek mothers make to keep their families healthy. And this soup is full of antioxidants and other powerful nutrition to fend off colds and flu.

Why is chicken soup so soothing and healing? Scientists have actually studied it to find out! A Dr. Stephen Rennard, who is an MD from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, tested chicken soup to see if it helps the immune system.

It was found that the chicken soup had strong anti-inflammatory powers, which is why it helps with stuffy noses, sore throats and coughs. The soup actually helps to break up congestion and eases the flow of nasal secretions. And chicken soup is also loaded with valuable nutrients that strengthen the immune system too.

Chicken also contains an amino acid called cysteine that is released when you make the soup. This amino acid is similar to the drug acetylcysteine, which is prescribed by doctors to patients with bronchitis. It thins the mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough out.

Carrots, a regular ingredient found in chicken soup, is a great source of beta-carotene. The body uses beta-carotene to converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A helps prevent and fight off infections by enhancing the actions of white blood cells that destroy harmful bacteria and viruses.

Beyond the soup’s soothing qualities and easy to digest protein, this soup contains mint and oregano, which both contain rosmarinic acid, which helps to open up the bronchial tubes and lungs, and ease respiratory problems. The lemon juice provides vitamin C, and the leeks, garlic and onion deliver antioxidants that are potent cold and flu fighting immune benefits.

And—if you use chicken bone broth it has its own set of benefits as well. Bone broth also strengthens the immune system, soothes the digestive system, fights inflammation, helps with weight loss, adds electrolytes, is good for your hair and nails, is anti-aging and great for your joints.

This soup tastes every bit as good the next day, but if reheating, be sure to heat over low heat to prevent the eggs from curdling.

Ingredients

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup cooked, shredded chicken
2 medium leeks, white parts only, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
5-6 cups organic free-range chicken bone broth
½ cup quinoa or brown rice (in stead of the traditional orzo pasta)
2 large organic, free range eggs
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbsp chopped fresh mint
1 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano

Directions

In a saucepan, add leeks, onion and carrots along with a pinch of sea salt to olive oil. Cook, over medium heat, stirring gently for about 6-7 minutes.

Stir in chicken and broth, add enough salt and pepper to taste. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes. Add rice and cook until tender. Remove from heat.

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and lemon juice. Add 3 ladles of soup broth to the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Mix egg mixture back into soup and cook over low heat for another 2-3 minutes. Do not allow it to boil. Garnish with parsley, mint and fresh oregano and lemon wedges. Serves 4-6.

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By: Catherine Ebeling & Mike Geary
Co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

The overlooked and much maligned onion has been around since ancient times and was most likely a dietary staple of our prehistoric ancestors.  It is often avoided because of its pungent odor and taste, along with the after effect of “onion” breath. The strong smell and taste come from the Sulphur-containing compounds in onions which are also responsible for the amazing health benefits in onions.

Onions don’t usually get the spotlight for being a glamorous and trendy ‘superfood’, but surprisingly enough, the humble onion is most definitely a superfood in its own right. You know the saying, “An apple a day…”, well it should be, “An onion a day keeps the doctor away!”

Onions are in the same family of root vegetables as garlic (a known superstar), shallots, leeks and scallions. They are a great source of B vitamins, especially B6, B1, folate, and biotin. They also contain copious amounts of vitamin C, manganese, copper, phosphorus, potassium and a massive amount of phytonutrients and antioxidant polyphenols. Some of the standout phytonutrients include quercetin, and allyl disulphide. Onions contain even more powerful polyphenols than their cousins, garlic and leeks, as well as tomatoes, carrots and red bell peppers.

These antioxidants make onions a natural anti-histamine (similar to medicine for colds and allergies), anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. The powerful polyphenols in onions benefit the whole body, and make them extremely effective in preventing or fighting diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and neuro-muscular diseases.

One of the primary polyphenol antioxidants in onions is Quercetin. Quercetin is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that not only protects against heart disease, blood clots, hypertension, urinary disease, prostatitis, and cancer, but also is one of the most powerful and natural anti-histamines, helping to prevent or lessen allergic reactions and asthma.

According to The World’s Healthiest Foods, onions are one of the the top ten foods for quercetin content, although it varies according to the type of onion, and growing conditions. And quercetin absorption from onions in the body twice as much as other foods that contain quercetin, like green tea and apples, as reported by Dr. Mercola, according to information from Wageningen Agricultural University, Netherlands.

Anti-Cancer Medicine

The National Onion Association considers onions a major dietary anti-carcinogen. Onions, like garlic and other allium vegetables are warriors against many types of cancer including: breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, laryngeal, esophageal, gastric, colon, renal and prostate cancers. This is due in part from the quercetin, as well as the sulphur compounds such as: diallyl disulfide (DDS), S-allylcysteine (SAC), and S-methylcysteine (SMC). Although the exact physiology is not known, it is thought that these compounds inhibit tumor growth and gene mutations, while fighting free radicals.

While ‘moderate’ (1-2 times a week), consumption of onions helps fight these cancers, the best practice is about a half cup serving or so of onions daily. It’s not really that hard to throw some green onions (scallions) into your eggs in the morning, add some sliced red onion to your salad at lunchtime and munch on fresh salsa (with onions) at dinnertime. Cooking does not take away the onion’s nutrient power, so simmering onions into your soup and cooked dishes still gives you plenty of health benefits.

Onions, like garlic, go a long way towards helping prevent heart attacks, strokes and blood clots. The sulphur compounds in onions are very efficient in preventing clumping of blood platelets which result in clots, meaning they are highly effective in preventing heart disease, strokes, and blood clots in other parts of the body (peripheral vascular disease). Allium and allyl disulphide also help to create more flexible blood vessels which result in lower blood pressure. Onions have also been shown to help lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, especially when eaten as part of a diet high in vegetables and fruit.

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Quercetin maintains top level status as an anti-inflammatory, along with its anti-histamine properties. This means it helps with most inflammatory conditions, including asthma, allergies, arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and more. Onionin A, one of the Sulphur compounds, inhibits macrophage formation that trigger immune reactions and inflammatory responses, helping those with autoimmune conditions as well.  If you want to read more about fighting inflammation in your body, this article shows you the #1 inflammation fighting fruit that you can eat.

Bone, Connective Tissue, Gut Health, and Diabetes Benefits

Several human studies have shown that frequent (daily) consumption of onion can actually help to increase bone density in post-menopausal women, and help prevent fractures related to osteoporosis. What’s more, the high sulphur content of onions helps to strengthen and support strong connective tissue in the body including tendons, ligaments, cartilage and collagen—and even hair.

Onions supply healthy antibacterial properties, helping to prevent everything from cavities and gum disease, to ulcers from h. pylori and food-borne illnesses. Studies have shown onions to be effective against streptococcus strains and porphyromonas gingivalis among other bacteria, especially from fresh, raw onions. So add fresh onions to your salads, salsas, and picnic food to help ensure you don’t get sick!

Onions contain a prebiotic fiber, inulin, that helps to feed and encourage the growth of healthy gut bacteria which creates a stronger immune system, assists in healthy absorption and assimilation of food, and actually helps your mood and brain function. Inulin is also thought to be responsible for helping to prevent obesity and lower your risk of diabetes.

In those with type 2 diabetes, inulin helped to improve blood sugar reactions and maintain a more stable glucose level. Another compound in onion, allium cepa, was shown to have a significant effect on lowering blood sugar in another study with rats, although more research needs to be done.

Sleep and Mood

Onions have a positive effect on sleep and mood as well, due to the folate content in them. In fact, it is thought that onions may help with depression, by decreasing the amount of homocysteine, an inflammatory agent in the body. Besides being dangerous for heart and blood vessels, excess homocysteine may also interfere with brain hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, all of which are ‘feel-good’ hormones. These hormones also have a huge effect on sleep and appetite as well.

Colds and Flu

Native Americans recognized the power of the onion to treat colds and flu and have used it for years and years. Even the World Health Organization recognizes the power of onions for coughs, congestion, bronchitis and respiratory infections. Onions have also been used for hundreds of years as a remedy for colic and vomiting.

How to Choose Onions

Different onion varieties contain different levels of nutrients and polyphenol content. Shallots have the highest level of of polyphenols, but yellow onions have the highest flavonoid content. As a general rule of thumb, like most vegetables, the brightest and deepest coloring contains the most nutrients overall, so consuming red onions will give you the biggest bang for your buck!

Be sure to choose organic onions if you can, as conventionally grown onions are often irradiated to prevent them from sprouting—which also kills some of the beneficial nutrients. And speaking of nutrients, did you know that most of those powerful antioxidants are more concentrated in the outer layers? So when you peel an onion, only peel off the outermost papery layer to avoid throwing away the best parts of the onion. I actually chop up and use even the outer layer if I am making soup.

Live to 100 with onions?

One other thing about onions… I recently read about a longevity study that surveyed a large number of centenarians (people that live to 100 and beyond), and one of the common traits they found in the survey was that centenarians seemed to eat a lot of onions!  Just further proof that onions are a powerful superfood worthy of addition to your daily meals… I like to have them in my scrambled eggs, diced up in salmon or tuna salad, and sautéed with mixed veggies at dinner!

Introducing onions and other anti-inflammatory foods into your daily diet is a great idea. But, did you know you may have this one food already in your kitchen…

The most anti-inflammatory food in the world

Do you wake up in the morning with stiff joints or pain in your hips, back, knees or elbows? Then chances are you’re feeling the effects of chronic inflammation taking its toll on your body.

The good news is that it is NEVER too late to help get this under control. And the best part is there are certain foods that help you do this naturally, without the need for prescription medications.

3-Sec Quiz: What is the #1 Anti-inflammatory Food?

A: Turmeric
B: Onion
C: Pineapple
D: Black Pepper
E: Other

Make your selection above or click here to skip straight to the answer.

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Click here to discover the #1 anti-inflammatory food =>

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References:

National Onion Association, Greely Colorado 2011. https://www.onions-usa.org/

Dorant, Van Den Brandt, Goldbohm, Sturmans, Gastroenterology, “Consumption of Onions and a Reduced Risk of Stomach Carcinoma,” 1996.
2 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691503003508, Antimutagenic, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of ethyl acetate extracts from white, yellow and red onions, Aug. 2012

Mercola, What’s new and beneficial about onions, April 2014 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/04/12/onion-health-benefits.aspx

Onions, World’s Healthiest Foods, http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=45
Anya V, The Magic Onion: Things You Didn’t Know Onions Could Do, Living Traditionally, http://livingtraditionally.com/the-magic-onion-things-you-didnt-know-onions-could-do/, November 2015.

Onions, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion
Ware, Megan, RDN, LD, Onions: Health Benefits, Nutritional Information, Medical News Today, September 2015

Onion extract may improve high blood sugar and cholesterol, Science Daily News, March, 2015

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