| Scallion Quick Facts |
| Name: |
Scallion |
| Scientific Name: |
Allium fistulosum |
| Origin |
China |
| Taste |
Mild |
| Calories |
32 Kcal./cup |
| Major nutrients |
Vitamin K (172.50%)
Vitamin C (20.89%)
Iron (18.50%)
Vitamin B9 (16.00%)
Copper (9.22%)
|
| Health benefits |
Helps to lose weight, Clot the blood, Strengthen immune system, Healthy heart, Stronger bones |
Scallions are also known as salad onion, spring onion and green onion. It is the vegetables of onion species Allium and is closely related to shallot, garlic, chive, leek and Chinese onion. Scallion is the variety of young onions having white roots and hollow or dark green stems. Scallions have white root part which has not developed an onion bulb. It has mild flavor in comparison to mature onion bulbs and green onions. It is a perfect substitute or chives. It could be used raw or cooked. Leaves are consumed as vegetables or consumed cooked or raw. It is available all year round. Scallions are very young onions which are harvested before the bulb swells out. The white base has slightly more intense taste and the green tops have mild and onion like flavor. It is vital in Asian cuisines and frequently found as a vital ingredient in Japanese, Chinese and Korean foods. Along with other vegetables sharing same family is a main component of various diets due to its versatility as well as health profile. For example: Macrobiotic diet is a plant based diet which promotes high intake of fresh vegetables such as scallions.
History
The word “scallion” could be traced back to Greek word “askolonion” that have been named after ancient city of Ashkelon. In these present days, Scallions have become an essential part of various traditional dishes and festivities. For Sephardic Jews during Passover seder, it is a tradition to sing “Dayenu” and also begin game with the involvement of whipping family members with scallions.
Green onions are fermented in Vietnam and is used in dưa hành which is a dish usually served for Vietnamese New Year. Scallions are a basic ingredient in palapa which is a Filipino condiment used to top off fried foods or to spice up dishes. Scallions are used in Japan from rice dishes to hot pots.
Health Benefits of Scallions
Scallion indicates leafy green immature young plants that are harvested while young. It has fewer flavors in comparison to onions but is helpful in enhancing the taste of dishes. Scallions offer various health benefits to the human as they are loaded with nutrients. With the various nutrients, it provides these health benefits:
- Helps to lose weight
Scallions have low content of calories but rich in nutrients which make it a great addition to diet. It offers great amounts of fiber that provides 10 percent of daily needs of fiber. It improves weight loss by lowering hunger and keeping full for longer time period. Moreover, studies resulted that Scallions also alter expression of some genes which are engaged in obesity. The study conducted on mice shows those mice when fed scallion extract for 6.5 weeks showed in reduction of body weight and also diminish fat cells. It promotes levels of specific protein that supports breakdown of fat. Addition of scallions to the diet with other low calorie foods such as vegetables and fruits helps to keep the waistline under control.
- Clot the blood
Scallions are packed with Vitamin K. The serving size of half cup could meet the daily requirement of Vitamin K for a day. Vitamin K is considered to be a vital ingredient which plays a vital role in clotting of blood. The blood clot is essential to prevent excessive bleeding in case of injury. It also allows plasma and platelets which are the two components of blood that forms clot when one get injury. Vitamin K deficiency causes easy bruising and bleeding from nose and gums.
- Strengthen immune system
Research shows that scallions promote immune system for preventing illness as well as infection. It is due to the alteration of specific cells in immune system which assist to counteract foreign invaders found in the body and also forbid diseases. The study conducted on mice with scallions as a fed resulted the enhancement of immune function by promoting the activity of these vital immune cells. Other study showed the specific compound in Scallions that increases the antibodies production to combat influenza. Each serving of scallions offers vitamin C which is an antioxidant that enhances immune function and also prevents infection.
- Healthy heart
Heart disease has become a common problem and has become a major cause of death in United States. The scallion extract lowers several health problems such as triglycerides, total cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol. Other study showed that when scallion extract were used to treat rats improve the flow of blood. Loaded with Vitamin K, Scallions helps to protect heart. It also prevents stiffening of arteries by blocking calcium deposits formation on arteries walls. The balanced and nutritious diet keeps the heart strong and healthy.
- Stronger bones
Vitamin K is also helpful in strengthening bones. It promotes bone health with the production of some protein that is essential for maintaining bone calcium and also promotes bone density. The study on patients with osteoporosis using Vitamin K showed that it lowered the chances of fractures and also assists to maintain bone density. Low intake of Vitamin K is related with increase in chances of hip fractures in elderly women and men. Vitamin K with Vitamin D and calcium helps to promote bone health.
- Hinder growth of cancer
Scallions have some compounds which lowers the growth of cancer. The study results show that scallion helps to suppress the tumor growth in mice with colon cancer by lowering inflammation and also promotes survival rate of mice. An increase in intake of scallions is related with 30 percent lowering the chances getting prostate cancer. It contains allicin which possess cancer fighting abilities. The study in China showed that treatment of stomach cancer cells with allicin prevent the growth of cancer and also ward off diseases.
- Supports vision
Scallion is essential for production of rhodopsin which is a protein and this onion has ample amounts of Vitamin A. Rhodopsin is vital for retina to absorb more light and it prevents the chances of night blindness and also sharpens the vision. It also prevents from various eye problems such as corneal ulcers and cataract.
- Digestive health
Scallions promote digestive health as it assist to maintain gut health and prevents diarrhea. It possess anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that eliminates bad bacteria mainly responsible for causing diarrhea. Besides this, Vitamin C promotes nutrition absorption and assist in food digestion that prevents the chances of watery stools and constipation.
- Menstrual problems
Dysmenorrhea is a menstrual pain which is occurred in lower abdomen. Research figured it out that menstrual cramps or menstrual pain occurs when the women’s body becomes too cold. Though further research is still required. Women should consume foods having heating effect on the body. The foods that provide heating effect on the body are cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, brown sugar, garlic and all sorts of onion.
- Improvement in skin
Scallions are helpful in improving the overall skin health due to the presence of allicin. This compound prevents wrinkling of skin and early aging. Besides that, allicin also make the skin glow and promote the skin tone. It contains vitamin C which is beneficial when used as a bleaching agent that makes the skin glow naturally. It also counteracts the free radicals by improving the skin health.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auwsDRJfixk&t=15s
Traditional uses
- It is helpful in treating headaches, colds, indigestion, insomnia and chills to stomach.
- It vitalizes respiratory tract and also assist to expel sputum or phlegm.
- It also promotes sweating by stimulating sweat glands.
- Scallions are used to treat diarrhea.
- It lowers tiredness and stress.
- For Nasal Congestion: Crush scallion to make poultice. Place it over nose and leave it for about 10 minutes. The process should be repeated till the nasal congestion clears.
- For Sore Throat: Cut scallion into small pieces and put them in a portable bag. Steam and cover hot bag with towel. Place it over throat and chest for 10 minutes. Repeat it till the sore throat is cured.
Precautions
- People who are allergic to onions might experience adverse reactions to Scallions.
- Symptoms such as vomiting, shortness of breath, itching, wheezing or skin irritation might be experienced.
- Discontinue using and consult the doctor immediately if the indicated symptoms above are experienced.
- Those with medications such as blood thinner or Warfarin should be careful to intake scallions.
- People having health problems should consult the doctor before consuming scallions to remain on the safe side.
How to Eat
- Leaves are consumed as vegetable either cooked or raw.
- It could also be used similar to garlic or onions.
- Scallions are used raw in salsas, salads and Asian recipes.
- Chopped scallions are used in noodles, soups, sandwiches, seafood dishes, stir-fries and curries.
- In Southwest United States and Mexico, scallions are sprinkled with salt, grilled whole and are consumed with rice and cheese.
- In Japan, Scallions are accompanied with noodle dishes, tofu, stir fries and hot pots.
- Scallions are a vital ingredient for making cháo hành.
- It is consumed raw as an appetizer with main meals in India.
- Scallion oil is made from green leaves.
- It is used in soufflés, pancakes, fritters, pasta, soup and noodles.
- In South Asia, it is added in fried rice, rice pulao, stir fries and noodles.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scallion
https://www.pyroenergen.com/articles09/green-onions-scallion.htm
https://globalfoodbook.com/26-peculiar-benefits-of-scallion-spring-onion
https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/scallions.html
https://draxe.com/scallions/
https://drhealthbenefits.com/food-bevarages/vegetables/health-benefits-of-scallions-onion
https://www.bewellbuzz.com/nutrition-buzz/benefits-of-scallions-blow-mind/
https://www.davidwolfe.com/benefits-of-scallions/
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