Onions are low in calories and in most vitamins and minerals (although they do supply a little calcium, iron, and potassium). However, the many varieties of this plant family including scallions, leeks, shallots and garlic as well as onions themselves, are rich sources of a number of phytonutrients. They contain allyl sulfides (sulfur compounds that may lower blood pressure and discourage tumor growth), quercetin (a flavonoid with high antioxidant activity), and saponins (substances connected with cholesterol-lowering and tumor inhibition).
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