Even though onions have been cultivated since ancient times, they still are considered a staple ingredient in almost every kitchen in the world. After all, how could they not be? No food tastes the same without them, and that’s reason enough. When it comes to their nutritional benefits, it is worth noting that onions are low in calories yet high in nutrients, including vitamin C, B vitamins and potassium. As a matter of fact, research shows that eating onions may help reduce heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, elevated triglyceride levels and inflammation. As a versatile food item, onions are usually served cooked, as a vegetable or as part of a prepared savory dish, although they can also be eaten raw or used to make pickles or chutneys. They can even be baked, boiled, braised, grilled, fried, roasted, sautéed, or eaten raw in salads.