🔰Impressive Benefits of Shallots

The impressive health benefits of shallots include their ability to lower cholesterol levels, acts as an anticancer agent, provide anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral protection, lower blood pressure, help manage diabetes, soothe nerves, boost circulation, speed up digestion, and aid in weight loss efforts. 

🔰What are Shallots?

Shallots are normally considered a variety of onions and they share the same species, Allium cepa. However, they are in a subspecies variety called the Aggragatium group. They are also closely related to garlic and have a similar structure of a head composed of multiple cloves. They vary in color from golden brown to rose-red, and the inner flesh is pulpy white, with some green coloring. They are probably native to Southeast Asia and moved from there into India and traveled to the Mediterranean region through trade and general crop movement. Shallots have been cultivated for thousands of years, appearing in Greek literature and history. They are also not cultivated in Africa.

They offer an interesting culinary flavor to foods and can be used either fresh or as a pickled vegetable product. They taste somewhat like onions but have a slightly milder taste. However, similar to garlic and onions, shallots cause irritation in the eye when sliced. They are prepared in numerous ways, including deep-fried as a condiment in certain Asian cultures. They are valued not only for their unique flavor and availability but also for their significant nutrient value, which is actually superior to common onions in a number of ways. Let’s take a closer look at some of the nutrients that compose this versatile and popular vegetable.

🔰Health Benefits of Shallots

Health benefits of shallots include the following:

🔰Act as Antioxidant Agents

Perhaps the best nutritional bonus of shallots is the high and diverse content of antioxidant compounds, including quercetin, kaempferol, and various sulfuric antioxidants. These antioxidants are released when the cell surface is disrupted, which happens during slicing or crushing, similar to garlic. When these antioxidants are released, they form another valuable compound called allicin. This powerful compound helps reduce cell mutation and various cancers. Studies have connected shallots to a reduction in lung and oral cancers, as well as stomach, colorectal, and breast cancer. 

🔰Improve Circulation & Metabolism

The mineral content of shallots is typically higher than that of onions, including iron, copper, and potassium. Iron and copper can help boost circulation in the body by stimulating the production of red blood cells. With more RBCs in the bloodstream, blood circulation increases, bringing more oxygen to important areas of the body while also increasing energy, vitality, cell regrowth, healing, and metabolism.

🔰Lower Blood Pressure

The combination of potassium, a well-known vasodilator, and the action of allicin, which releases nitric oxide in the body, blood pressure is significantly decreased. A vasodilator relaxes the walls of the blood vessels and allows blood to flow more freely. This prevents clotting and stress on the cardiovascular system, further boosting heart health. 

🔰Manage Diabetes

Two of the phytochemical compounds found in shallots, allium, and allyl disulfide, have anti-diabetic properties. They help regulate the levels of blood sugar in the body. This can be very helpful for diabetics who need to keep their blood sugar levels under control. Due to its nutritional values, shallots have hypoglycemic effects that can be helpful in the management of people of all age groups with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.