/oss/taxonomy/term/371/all en /oss/article/health-you-asked/it-true-onions-can-absorb-bacteria <p style="text-align:justify">The most fascinating thing about the email that circulates about the curative properties and dangers of onions is that some people give it credence. Why would anyone believe some unsubstantiated anecdote about onions curing the flu especially when it is clear that the messenger doesn’t know the difference between bacteria and viruses. And are hairdressers really reliable sources of health information. Is it plausible that an onion can draw “germs” out of the body? Of course not.</p> Sun, 30 Dec 2012 02:08:12 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1849 at /oss /oss/article/general-science-you-asked/why-do-onions-make-you-cry-when-you-cut-them-and-why-are-they-sweet-when-you-fry-them <p>Onion chemistry is extremely fascinating and extremely complex! We’ve been intrigued by this vegetable ever since our prehistoric ancestors gathered and cooked wild onions. By the time of the First Egyptian Dynasty 5000 years ago, onions were widely consumed for flavor and for their supposed medicinal properties. At various times they have been associated with the prevention of colds, loosening of phlegm, correction of indigestion, inducement of sleep, stimulation of appetite, disinfection of wounds and the elimination of parasites from the digestive tract.</p> Tue, 21 Feb 2017 04:21:47 +0000 Joe Schwarcz 1487 at /oss