Doctor says this is the best vegetable to eat to boost your health

A doctor has shared how she regularly eats one particular vegetable for its health benefits.

Dr. Poonam Desai, a lifestyle and emergency medicine physician, is a big fan of raw red onions. She says it is because they boast particular anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits.

In a video on TikTok, she said: "I am a doctor and I eat onions regularly. But how you eat them and what onion you eat actually matters."

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Dr. Desai explained: "Onions contain something called quercetin, which gives onions its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. But the colour of the onions matters.

"Red onions contain more quercetin than white or yellow, so I opt to eat red onions. Second is if you cook the onions, it decreases the levels of quercetin in the onions. So I opt to eat my onions raw, so I can maximise the health benefits."

Then she added: "Now the third is after I peel off the dry flaky layer of the onion, the outer layers contain more quercetin than the inner layers. So next time you're going to choose an onion, choose a red onion, try to eat it raw and try to eat the outer layers."

According to WebMD, quercetin is found in many plants and foods like onions, green tea, apples, and berries, reports Bristol Live.

Research shows that quercetin, a powerful antioxidant, can help remove harmful free radicals from our bodies, which can damage cell membranes, interfere with DNA, and even cause cells to die.

Quercetin is often used for conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. It may also help reduce swelling, kill cancer cells, control blood sugar, and help prevent heart disease.