11 Amazing Health Benefits of Shallots

Shallots benefits includes promoting growth of healthy hair, fighting free radicals, enhancing brain function, can improve blood circulation, contributes to nervous stability, lower blood pressure, helps prevent diabetes, helps with weight loss, helps maintain bone density, promotes healthy skin, and effectively assist the body defense system.

What is Shallots?

Shallots are a variety of onions which fall within the same species. They have a close resemblance to garlic in structure, and typically grow in clusters. This vegetable is known scientifically as Allium cepa var. aggregatum and appear to be native to the Middle-East, afterwards probably introduced by the Crusaders upon their invasion into Palestine to Europe. Shallots are an interesting vegetable now used as a major ingredient in the cuisine of many countries around the world. They can be used fresh or pickled and are prepared in numerous ways. Shallots are valued not only for their flavor but for their nutritional value as well.

Nutrition Info (1 shallot 43g)

Calories- 31
Total Carbohydrates- 7.1g
Dietary Fiber- 1.4g 6% RDI
Protein – 1.1g
Potassium- 142mg 4% RDI
Vitamin C- 5.7% RDI
Calcium- 1.6% RDI
Iron- 2.8% RDI

11 Amazing Health Benefits of Shallots

1. Help To Promote Growth Of Healthy Hair

The search for natural items that boost hair growth as opposed to supplemental forms has gone on for a long time. Science has proven that if one consumes Shallots, healthy hair growth is virtually guaranteed. Shallots have been used to promote healthy hair growth, as it has been shown to increase blood circulation to the scalp, promoting hair growth. Shallots contain sulphur which reduces hair loss, and promotes the growth of lustrous healthy hair. Shallots can also function as a cure for dandruff, by mixing shallots with lemon, buttermilk and honey, it can be applied to the hair to remove dandruff.

2. Have Anti-oxidant Properties

Antioxidants are necessary to protect the body from damage due to oxidation by free radicals. They basically help protect the cells from damage, and luckily Shallots have generous amounts of antioxidants in them. Substances like Quercetin and Kaempferol are natural anti-oxidants that fight free radicals. Allicin is one more of these anti-oxidants, which are also found in onions and garlics, and also helps reduce cell mutations. The Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention suggests that shallots contain substances that inhibit the growth of cancerous cells, warranting its case for frequent consumption in your diet.

3. Enhance Brain Function

The brain is the driving force of man. It regulates all body functions. Deficiency in any major nutrient that is critical to brain functioning will cause impairment of optimal activity, and deficits are likely to arise. Shallots have Vitamins, minerals and amino acids that enhance brain function. Shallots provide gamma-aminobutyric acid, a key neurotransmitter that helps to relieve stress and relax the mind. The Vitamins present also help in mental and emotional function, by regulating hormonal and enzymatic reactions in the brain. Also, Shallots contain more vitamins and minerals than onions, especially pyridoxine, folates, thiamine, and vitamin C. Pyridoxine (B-6) present in shallots increases GABA levels inside the human brain that helps to soothe nervous irritability.

4. Can Improve Blood Circulation

Blood circulation is critical to survival. The transport of oxygen, carbon dioxide and hormones is all carried out by this organ system. Shallots help improve the flow of these substances in the body, by enhancing blood circulation itself.  Iron, Potassium and copper help boost the production of new red blood cells, and also promote healing and metabolism. In like manner, shallots can be used to help combat anemia, and help to address issues that stem from low energy and poor concentration.

5. Contribute To Nervous Stability

Though the body by designs tries to retain a state of homeostasis, sometimes things don’t work the way they should and the balance between hormones, neurotransmitters and other biological compounds can go out of whack. Use of stimulants, for instance, results in elevations of the hormones cortisol and the neurotransmitter adrenalin. These cause increased firing of neurons, a state of elevated awareness and inability to relax. The nervous is said to be over firing, and can also result in anxiety and insomnia. The neurotransmitter GABA also helps promote sleep and a good mood.

6. Lower Blood Pressure 

Blood pressure is a vital factor for maintenance of a healthy heart and good blood circulation. High blood pressure is a risk factor associated with heart disease, and a myriad of other adverse health conditions, but luckily Blood pressure can be controlled with regular consumption of Shallots. Shallots contain Allicin which can reduce blood pressure, along with potassium which assist in dilation of blood vessels. Potassium is a vasodilator which helps to relax the walls of the blood vessels leading to the free flow of blood. This process prevents blood clots and protects the cardiovascular system from stress.

7. Shallots May Help Prevent Diabetes

Among other functions, shallots possess hypoglycemic properties that can help in control of diabetes. This property is due to the phytochemicals present in them (Phytochemicals are substances found in plants which have medicinal uses). Two types of phytochemicals mainly found in shallots are allium and allyl disulphide responsible for the anti-diabetic properties. These phytochemicals may also help improve the sensitivity of insulin, allowing for greater blood glucose control. Shallots are not really considered as a tool in the management of diabetes, but if you suffer from type 2, it can be of significant importance to your health.

8. Help Your Weight Loss Efforts

Obesity increases the risk of certain diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease significantly. Healthy weight loss, however, reduces those risks and can allow you to live quite an enjoyable life. Shallots can help induce weight loss by virtue of their low calorie content, which makes them wonderful herbs to cook with when you are on a calorie restricted diet. Not because you are trying to lose weight should you have to endure with eating tasteless food as well.

9. Helps Maintain Bone Density

Maintaining a healthy bone mass is much more important than you may have come to believe, as it is critical in helping support the structural integrity of your body, as well as being strong anchor points for muscles. Bones also help protect the organs found in our body, as well as our overall wellbeing. Shallots contain the main ingredient that is paramount to bone health- Calcium; and contains a fair amount per serving (which is typically small).  Eating foods rich in Calcium and vitamin D keeps our bones healthy. Calcium supplementation is essential to having healthy bones. Ensuring you get calcium is important throughout life, and is not merely for children, as the body uses calcium every single day of its existence.

10. Promote Healthy Skin

Stress accompanied by a diet low in nutrients is a sure-fire recipe to accelerate aging. To maintain healthy skin, the body need the right nutrients. Shallots fight microbes responsible for skin infections, by virtue of its phytonutrients, while sulphur helps to jeep skin from aging prematurely. Sulphur also helps to prevent the accumulation of dead skin, and explains why it is useful in conditions such as psoriasis sulphur also possesses anti-inflammatory properties which help relieve redness and tenderness that some skin types are prone to experiencing. The sulphur content of our skin decrease as we age, making it imperative that we replace it via dietary consumption of sulphur rich foods.

11. Effectively Assist The Body’s Defence System

The Immune system is complex. The smallest deficiencies in our immune system can lead to catastrophic consequences, making it easy for foreign pathogens to enter our bodies. The best way to prevent this outcome? By supporting it with a good diet. Shallots contain many immune boosting nutrients that make it more efficient in catching foreign invaders and preventing infections. Thanks to the anti-oxidant content of shallots, pre-cancerous cells are also taken care of in their infancy, reducing the risk of a cancer growing to epic proportions.

Conclusion

The health benefits associated with intake of Shallots make it a plus for anyone willing to add more of it to their diet. Its taste is quite distinct from onion and garlic, making it something to try if you haven’t already.