8 Awesome Health Benefits of Shallots

Shallots. We could probably go on and on and on about how wonderful these relatives to the onion are. Not only are they chock full of flavor and wildly popular among chefs around the world, but they’re also densely packed with some serious nutritional value. Read on to find out just how great these little vegetables can be for your health.

8 Health Benefits of Shallots

1. Shallots are the oldest home remedy for hair growth. They are rich in sulphur, which helps in the production of collagen tissues. This is useful for the regrowth of hair. Chop shallots into small pieces and squeeze out the juice. Apply evenly on the scalp and wait 15 minutes. Rinse off with a mild shampoo that helps in hair growth.
2. Shallots are rich in iron. One cup of shallots can provide 1.9 milligrams of iron—24% of the daily required iron intake for men and 11% for women.
3. Overall, shallots have a better nutritional profile than onions. On a weight per weight basis, they have more antioxidants, minerals and vitamins than onions.
4. Perhaps the best nutritional bonus of shallots is the diverse content of their antioxidant compounds. These antioxidants are released when the cell surface is disrupted, typically during slicing or crushing, similar to garlic. When these antioxidants are released, they form another valuable compound called allicin. This powerful compound helps to reduce cell mutation and various cancers.
5. Shallots also contain the mineral potassium, which supports many of your body’s functions. Each 3.5 ounce serving of raw shallots contains 334 milligrams of potassium, which is 10% of the daily values set by the FDA. Potassium helps your body maintain a steady heartbeat and fluid balance.
6. Shallots also provide health benefits for people who are watching their weight and saturated fat intake. A 3.5 ounce serving of raw shallots contains only 72 calories, 0.10 grams of total fat and 0.017 grams of saturated fat.
7. Shallots have a mild pungent flavor. Unlike onions, their taste will not overload your palate and sinuses or burn your tongue. Also, unlike garlic, shallots have less of an impact on your breath.
8. Shallots are helpful in producing an anticoagulant that thins the blood to cure symptoms of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, atherosclerotic disease and stroke.

Looking for a recipe that includes shallots? Give our baked risotto recipe a try.

Facts sourced from StyleCraze, Nutrition-and-You, LiveStrong and Organic Facts.

• Photography: Tami Seymour