This article discusses the benefits of shallots, their nutritional profile, easy-to-follow recipes, and risks. Read on.
Table of Contents
What Are Shallots? What Is The History Of Shallots? What Are The Differences Between Shallots And Onions? What Is The Nutritional Profile Of Shallots? What Are The Health Benefits Of Shallots? Any Tips To Prepare And Cook Shallots? How To Select And Store Shallots How To Include Shallots In Your Diet Any Shallot Recipes Worth Trying? Any Side Effects Of Shallots?
What Are Shallots?
Scientifically called Allium ascalonicum, shallots are members of the Allium plant family. The family also includes garlic, onions, and chives. They are native to Central and Southeast Asia and spread to India and eastern Mediterranean regions with time. Shallots are also called Baker’s Garlic, Chinese Shallots, Chinese Scallion, Oriental Onion, and Small Angled Chives. Some of the popular varieties or types of shallots grown across the world include Gray Shallot, French Red Shallot, American Red Shallot, and Dutch Yellow Shallot. And yes, shallots, just like anything else, have a history as well.
What Is The History Of Shallots?
Though thought to have originated in Central or Southeast Asia thousands of years ago, the name ‘shallot’ dates back to the times of Ancient Greece. They are called kanda in India, ham in the Philippines, and brambang in Thailand. Shallots were/are an integral part of Ayurveda and have six types of taste. They are predominantly used in dishes like sambar in India, which is a staple dish based on lentils. They have been used as a remedy for sore throat, infections, and bloating. Shallots were introduced to Europe way back in the 11th century by crusaders returning from the Middle East. The history is fine. But there is one question that begs an answer.
What Are The Differences Between Shallots And Onions?
The differences are few. Shallots
They have long and slender bulbs and are smaller than onions. They are slightly high in calories – 100 grams of shallots contain 72 calories. They also are slightly high in carbs – 100 grams contain 17 grams of carbs. They are high in protein too – 100 grams contain 2.5 grams. Most of the shallots in the US are imported.
Onions
They are large and round. They are larger than shallots. 100 grams of onions contain just about 40 calories. 100 grams contain 9.3 grams of carbs. They have 1.1 grams of protein for every 100 grams. Most onions are produced within the US (annual production is 6.75 billion pounds).
But wait, why are we even talking about shallots? What’s so great about them? Their nutritional profile will give you an idea.
What Is The Nutritional Profile Of Shallots?
Half a cup of diced shallots contains 56 calories, 5 grams of fiber, 6 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of carbs. Shallots contain no fat. Other important nutrients in shallots include:
832 milligrams of vitamin A (18% of the daily value) 25 milligrams of vitamin B6 (12.5% of the daily value) 234 milligrams of potassium (7.5% of the daily value) 5 milligrams of vitamin C (10% of the daily value) 25 milligrams of manganese (10% of the daily value)
In addition, shallots contain other proteins and peptides that have immune-boosting properties. Well, we won’t keep you waiting. Here are the benefits.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Shallots?
The powerful antioxidants in shallots contribute to most of the benefits. They slow down the growth of cancer cells and improve heart and diabetic health. Shallots also boost brain health, and their antiviral properties help keep infections at bay. The antioxidant effects of shallots could be beneficial for your hair and skin.
1. Cut Cancer Risk
Allium vegetables are known for their ability to induce cancer cell death and cut cancer risk. One study found that ethyl acetate extracts found in shallots and other onions can help slow down the growth of cancer cells (1). Intake of allium vegetables can also reduce the risk of stomach cancer, as per another study (2). Several other studies talk about the anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects of shallots, which can be put to great use in the field of cancer treatment (3).
2. Improve Heart Health
Two of the most important antioxidants in shallots and its relatives are allicin and quercetin – both of which are considered for their anti-hypertensive properties. As per a 2013 study, allicin protects the heart by enhancing the antioxidant status (4). It also lowers the levels of reactive oxygen species. More importantly, allicin stimulates the production of glutathione – a master antioxidant that has several positive effects on your health. Shallots can also inhibit the production of a particular enzyme, which helps make cholesterol. This property of shallots dilates the blood vessels and improves circulation, which ultimately aids heart health. Shallots can also prevent the build-up of plaque in the arteries. Shallots are also a good source of potassium, another reason they work great for the heart. Potassium strengthens the blood capillaries and even regulates blood pressure.
3. Aid Detoxification
Since shallots boost blood circulation, they play an important role in removing toxins from the bloodstream, thereby aiding detoxification. And since shallots also stimulate the digestive enzymes, they are an important ingredient for liver detox. Shallots are also rich in organic sulfur, which is another compound required by the liver to carry out phase 2 detoxification. Organosulfur ingredients like shallots also help detoxify carcinogens, as per a study (5).
4. Help Control Diabetes
The flavonoids in shallots help treat numerous ailments, one of them being diabetes (6). Several studies have also shown the beneficial effects of shallots and onions on insulin and how they also help control diabetes-related weight gain. Certain properties of shallots help stimulate insulin secretion, which lowers the inflammatory responses associated with diabetes. Taking large amounts of onions or shallots can lower sugar levels in diabetics as they were found to block the breakdown of insulin in the liver (7). This increases the amount of insulin in the blood and lowers blood glucose levels.
5. Improve Brain Health
One reason shallots can work wonders for brain health is the presence of folate. It is one of the eight B vitamins, and it improves brain function by contributing to mental and emotional health. Folate also protects your body’s DNA and RNA. Another important nutrient in shallots is iron, which also is crucial for brain function. Shallots also contain another compound called pyrithione, which was found to fight brain inflammation and improve neurological activity (8). These anti-inflammatory properties of shallots can also help prevent Alzheimer’s as per certain sources. They also soothe the nerves and treat nervous irritability.
6. Help Fight Obesity
The EEOs (ethyl acetate extracts) in shallots can suppress fat accumulation in the body, and this can potentially help prevent obesity. The antioxidants in shallots also boost metabolism, which can also contribute to weight regulation and optimum health.
7. Help Treat Allergies
Shallots possess antibacterial and antiviral properties, which help treat a number of allergies and infections. These include respiratory allergies like phlegm and sore throat. Shallots are also known to treat some food allergies and might even offer relief from headaches. However, research on this benefit of shallots is limited. Talk to your healthcare provider before using them for this purpose.
8. Boost Bone Health
One study on pre and postmenopausal women showed that shallot and onion consumption increased bone density in these individuals (9). Those who consumed shallots or onions once a day or more had bone density that was 5% greater than those that didn’t. Though we need more studies to form a concrete basis, there is research that states older women taking shallots or onions regularly can cut their risk of hip fractures by as much as 20%. Shallots might also help prevent osteoporosis and enhance teeth health.
9. Might Maintain Vision Health
There is very less research on this. But the vitamin A in shallots can contribute to vision health, and adequate levels of the vitamin can prevent night blindness and might even cut the risk of cataracts or macular degeneration.
10. Boost Immunity
We already spoke of the proteins and peptides in shallots that boost immunity. And then we have the antioxidant effects of shallots – which help fight common illnesses and infections. Some of these ailments include cold, flu, fever, and bronchitis.
11. Improve Skin Health
The sulfur in shallots helps keep your skin looking younger and rejuvenated. Steeping peeled shallots in hot water and then washing your face first thing in the morning can have beneficial effects. You can also cure insect stings using shallots. To treat an insect sting, rub the affected area with shallot juice. This will help soothe the pain. Shallots can be applied by crushing or cutting and applying to mosquito, bee or wasp stings. You can also use shallots as a poultice on warts – they will help the warts fall off by themselves. Applying shallot juice to boils can also give relief.
12. Enhance Abdominal Health
This is owing to the fiber content in shallots. Shallots are good sources of dietary fiber, which keeps you full after a meal and softens your stool to prevent constipation. Shallots also help kill intestinal worms, and this can be attributed to their antimicrobial properties. You can simply crush a few shallots to make the juice and have it first thing in the morning.
13. Keep Hair Healthy
The sulfur in shallots is considered healthy for hair – as it aids the production of collagen tissues that support hair growth. Simply apply shallot juice to your scalp and leave it on for 15 minutes. You can rinse with a mild shampoo after this. Shallots can also help treat hair loss and might even cure baldness to some extent. You just need some pepper powder, a couple of shallots, and some salt. Grind all to obtain a smooth paste. Apply to the affected areas four to five times a week. You can wash after 15 minutes post each application. However, we don’t have sufficient research on the ability of shallots to reverse baldness. We have only picked the remedies from certain sources. Mixing shallot juice with lemon juice, buttermilk, and honey can help treat dandruff. You can take equal parts of all the ingredients and apply to your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse with a mild anti-dandruff shampoo. Shallot juice can also help treat scalp infections. Simply apply the juice to your hair and massage. Wash after 30 minutes. We are done with the benefits. You can start using shallots and experience these benefits to make your life better. But before that, you might want to know something else.
Any Tips To Prepare And Cook Shallots?
These tips are simple but work amazingly well.
Shallots taste the best when included in dishes cooked with wine. You can keep that in mind the next time you are inviting friends to your place for the weekend. You can use fresh shallots in salads, either whole or chopped into cubes. Shallot bulbs can also be used for pickling or sauces. For using shallots in soups, you can first roast them until their skin is soft. Peel them once roasted.
But even before you know any of this, you better know how to select shallots and store them.
How To Select And Store Shallots
Selection When selecting shallots, think about onions.
Ensure the shallots are firm and heavy for their size. They shouldn’t be dry and light and must have no soft spots. Avoid sprouting shallots as they are an indication of age. The younger (smaller) the shallot, the milder the taste.
Storage
Store shallots in a cool, dry, and dark place with good air circulation. You can use them even if they sprout. Just remove the bitter green sprouts if you don’t want that strong onion flavor. Shallots can be chopped and frozen for up to 3 months.
Great. But wait, you sure want to know the different ways you can include shallots in your diet. Don’t you?
How To Include Shallots In Your Diet
Simple.
You can sauté shallots and add them to your pastas and casseroles. You can also combine diced shallots with fresh fruits and vegetables to make a salsa. Or top your salads with whole caramelized shallots. Or use sliced shallots in homemade pizza.
Or yeah, you can try out these super good recipes too.
Any Shallot Recipes Worth Trying?
1. Baked Eggs with Spinach and Shallots
2 tablespoons of raw cashews ¼ cup of water 1 tablespoon of coconut oil 2 small minced shallots 1 minced garlic clove 8 cups of baby spinach ¼ teaspoon of sea salt 3 to 4 eggs ½ teaspoon of dried thyme Additional sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2. Caramelized Shallots
6 tablespoons of unsalted butter 2 pounds of peeled and fresh shallots with the roots intact 3 tablespoons of sugar 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar ½ teaspoon of kosher salt ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley
Just like onions, shallots are full of goodness and benefits. And a bit of not-so-good stuff too.
Any Side Effects Of Shallots?
Bleeding Disorders
Shallots might slow down blood clotting. This might increase the risk of bleeding. Hence, keep away from shallots if you have bleeding disorders. Also, avoid shallots at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Diabetes
As shallots can lower blood sugar levels, taking them along with diabetes medication can reduce the sugar levels way too much. Consult your doctor before consuming shallots.
Issues During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
We don’t have enough information on the effects of shallots during pregnancy and breastfeeding. So, stay safe and stick to small amounts. Any substitute for shallots? Yes. Onions are a good substitute. Can you eat shallots raw? Yes. You can include raw shallots in salads. Or you can even eat them by themselves. Are shallots Paleo? Yes. You can include raw shallots in salads. Or you can even eat them by themselves. Can you eat shallots every day? Yes, you can consume about a cup of shallots daily. Use it in various culinary preparations to reap its benefits. Are shallots healthier than garlic? Garlic is healthier than shallots, as it is a richer source of protein, carbohydrates, vitamin C, and other micronutrients than shallots (10). Are shallots acidic or alkaline? According to anecdotal reports, shallots form an alkaline pH of about 8.5 once digested.
