Sarah EatonScallions, which has a taste similar to onions, are often used as a garnish to add a splash of color to dishes. However, the scallion deserves more attention than it is often given. For example, they are a great choice for those following the Paleo diet, or for a vegan or raw food diet, as well. Furthermore, they boast plenty of health benefits. Benefits of scallions include, for example, aiding in weight loss, enhancing heart health and helping blood clotting. Learn more below!
Here are 6 powerful benefits of scallions:
1. Aid in Weight Loss
Benefits of scallions include helping you lose weight. This is due to the dietary fiber they contain, as well as the fact that they are full of nutrients, making them a welcome addition to any diet.
The Center of Herbal Resources conducted a study in 2011 to examine the effects of the scallion on mice. After 6 and a half weeks, researchers found that scallions reduced body weight and shrunk fat cells. Furthermore, they increased levels of a particular kind of protein that aids in the breakdown of fat. (1)
2. Help Blood Clotting
Due to the vitamin K content, benefits of scallions include aiding in blood clotting. Just half a cup, in fact, can meet your daily needs. Vitamin K is beneficial to your health in many ways, but one of the most well-known is the ability to help blood clot.
3. Boost Immunity
Benefits of scallions continue with the ability to boost immunity. In a 2013 study conducted by the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, researchers fed mice scallions and found that doing so increased the activity of immune cells. (2)
Furthermore, another study found that the scallion can increase production of antibodies, making them a viable addition to flu natural remedies. (3)
Benefits of scallions also include the vitamin C content, which also lends itself to boosting immune function. (4)
4. Enhance Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Benefits of scallions, however, include promoting heart health. Scallion extract can greatly reduce several heart attack risk factors, such as total cholesterol, triglycerides and bad LDL cholesterol.
Additionally, a study out of Taiwan found an improvement in blow flow of rats treated with scallion extract. (4)
5. Improve Bone Health
Thanks to the vitamin K content, benefits of scallions also include strengthening your bones and preventing osteoporosis. Vitamin K promotes bone health by upping the amount of a protein needed to maintain bone calcium as well as increase bone density. It also helps reduce risk of hip fractures in elderly men and women. (5, 6)
6. May Block Cancer Growth
Benefits of scallions extend to fighting cancer, as well. Studies show that this vegetable can definitely be counted as a cancer-fighting food. In a 2012 study, researchers fed mice with colon cancer scallion extract. Doing this inhibited the growth of tumors, helped fight inflammation and increased the survival rate of the mice. (7)
Scallions contain allicin, which is known for fighting cancer. A study out of China found that allicin helped stopped the growth of stomach cancer and killed off cancer cells. (8)