Shallots belong to the lily family (Liliacae) where onion,
garlic and leeks are present. It is classified as Allium
cepa var. aggregatum .Shallots are smaller and sweeter than
onion and like garlic its bulb divides into multiple
sections .It digests better than onion when eaten raw. The
bulbs are pulled of the ground and leaves are allowed to
dry. The greens above the ground which are known as
scallions are used as salads and also for cooking. Shallots
are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary
fiber and folic acid. It also contain calcium, iron and
have a high protein quality.
There has been lot of research and studies regarding the use
of shallots for health conditions. Different analysis and
studies have found that shallots contains two sets of
compounds -sulfur compounds, such as allyl propyl disulphide
(APDS) and flavonoids, such as quercetin. Flavonoid
consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of
cancer, heart disease and diabetes since they are
anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-allergenic and
anti-inflammatory.
Recent studies have shown the potential health benefits of
common onions and established that shallots are particularly
effective against liver cancer cells. Shallots have six
times the phenolic content than onions. Shallots help the
liver eliminate toxins from the body and have saponins to
inhibit and kill cancer cells.
Shallots are specifically linked to inhibiting human stomach
cancer. Shallots produce an anti-coagulant that thins the
blood and exhibit strong anti-platelet activity and are very
good for patients who have symptomatic atherosclerotic
disease, cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. It
aids brain function and thus protects against Alzheimer's
disease. Shallots can lower blood sugar levels in people
with diabetes by preventing the degradation of insulin and
increasing metabolism of glucose. Eating shallots daily
helps in the growth of bone tissue and reduces the risk of
developing osteoporosis by 20%. It contains Prostaglandin
A-1, a powerful agent which can lower blood pressure. Sulfur
content in shallots makes skin look younger. Daily intake of
a little shallot will benefit in the long run. Shallots can
be eaten raw or cooked till they are tender.
