Tag: Water

Onion water: what it is for and how to prepare it – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

There is never a shortage of onion at home: it is used raw and cooked, in sautés, in salads, to prepare omelettes, savory pies and also for onion water. It is a very ancient, but still very widespread, natural remedy that exploits the antihistaminic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of this bulbous plant, rich in group B and C vitamins and mineral salts. In particular, onion water is highly appreciated for its detox effect, thanks to an active ingredient – allicin – which helps the body reduce the absorption of sugars, lower cholesterol levels and therefore get rid of toxic substances that prevent the liver and kidneys from functioning properly.

What is onion water used for?

In the absence of drugs and supplements, there were once many who drank onion water just to free themselves in case of temporary constipation. Not infrequently, however, due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties it was also exploited for soothe the effects of seasonal ailments and muscle pain.

How to prepare onion water

Preparing it is very simple: just cut the onion into slices, then put it in a container full of water and let it rest for a whole night or, in any case, about 12 hours. The proportion is one medium onion to one glass. Once the “rest” period has passed, the bulb is removed and the onion water can be drunk like this, when needed, at room temperature. The taste is sweetish and not particularly annoying, as is the smell, which almost completely evaporates after 12 hours. The sulfur oxide which determines the strong smell of the onion, and which also causes “tears” when we cut it, is in fact destroyed by water (which is why it is always advisable to cut onions under running water or with a knife wet).

What is onion herbal tea used for?

It is just as simple to prepare it onion herbal tea, which is another way of drinking it, hot indeed. It is peeled, cut, immersed in water and then boiled for about 15 minutes, before filtering and drinking. Generally two or three times a day and always as needed and with common sense, also because onion herbal tea (or water) – obviously – is not at all miraculous. It can be an extra help as part of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, a bit like lemon water, first of all because it is a way to drink more water. Among other things, precisely because it contains saponins and glucosides which reduce cholesterol contractions and lower blood sugar levels, it is not recommended if you suffer from pathologies affecting the intestinal system, from colitis to reflux.

The onion, water and colds

With these exceptions removed, it is good to know that, in the case of herbal tea, the properties of the onion are amplified by the heat of the water, with a mix that is particularly useful in case of colds, especially if the antiseptic action of the plant is combined with that of honey.

How to use onion water for hair

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, onion is also used as a natural beauty remedy for hair and scalp. Two ways. The first is to sprinkle your hair with onion water after having already wet it, then pat it dry with a towel and wash it again after half an hour with normal shampoo. The second is to make onion juice (chopping the onion and extracting the juice), and put it on your hair, leaving it on for 30 minutes before washing. A very popular remedy also thanks to American rapper Cardi B who in a post on Instagram some time ago said that her long and thick hair is thanks to onion water compresses. In fact there are several cosmetic products, oils in particular, which exploit the properties of the bulb. Perhaps even more practical and more fragrant.

Is water and lemon in the morning good for you? The word to the doctor – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

In recent years, many have gotten into the habit of drink lemon water in the morning, as soon as you wake up and just before having breakfast. Why? There are those who do it with the belief that they can help eliminate toxins and waste substances, purify oneself and for this reason lose weightwho instead thinks that this drink can anyway benefit the Health, so much so that it becomes a real daily ritual of well-being. Certainly taking care of your hydration starting in the morning is essential. Water plays a key role in the functioning of the organism, being involved in many processes and promoting its efficiency. But is drinking water and lemon in the morning really good for you? To find out more, we asked an expert for advice.

Is drinking lemon water in the morning good for you? The doctor’s word

Sometimes losing weight and getting back into shape seems to be the most difficult thing and often we are willing to try anything to do it, even relying on practices that promise miraculous results, but which in reality have very little scientific value and which often distance even of time are actually harmful. Drinking lemon water in the morning is beneficial really as you often think or not?

Does water and lemon make you lose weight?

«To date we have no certain data on whether this practice can really bring benefits nor scientific data to recommend it as a daily habit, says the doctor Michela Carola Speciani, medical surgeon expert in applied nutrition. «At the moment we know that the consumption of low pH foods and drinks, such as lemon juice, is a risk factor for example fordental erosion and that lemon and some of its extracts are rich in vitamins and antioxidants including flavanones, which have reported some positive data from a metabolic point of view in animal studies, the results of which however cannot be generalized to humans lightly”, says the expert.

Does lemon lower blood sugar?

«In some studies on humans, and therefore more reliable, it has been seen that the intake of acidic substances such as the combined water and lemon before the meal reduces the glycemic response to the intake of starches, carbohydrates present for example in pasta, rice and bread, but not in sugar. The mechanisms are not yet fully known, nor, however, are the long-term effects of this practice. This is why we currently do not have enough data to suggest it for improving your figure or health, while there are habits that we know for certain to be supportive in this sense”, says the expert. In essence, there are studies that support this thesis but at the moment we have little evidence available in the scientific literature and therefore insufficient to say that lemon actually lowers blood sugar, as nutritionist Valentina Schirò also says in this article of ours: ” THEDoes lemon lower blood sugar? The word to the nutritionist”.

“So, much better to include some protein in your breakfast such as eggs, oil seeds, soy-based protein preparations, fish, meat or high-protein dairy products such as cheese or Greek yogurt, a habit that is often rarely practiced; or it would be good reduce the consumption of simple sugars – biscuits, snacks, croissants, croissants – and sweeteners, which unfortunately tend to be present from the morning onwards.”

For those who are not recommended to drink water and lemon

There are some contraindications real facts about the consumption of the mix based on water and lemon? Who should avoid it? «Certainly those who are particularly predisposed todental erosion. The suggestion is to ask your dentist for confirmation and to rinse your mouth with a little water (without lemon) after any consumption to limit the negative effect that the acidity of lemon can have on the health of your teeth.”

Water and food combination: the best according to the hydrosommelier – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

The combination of food with water starts from the choice of the fixed residue.

The water card in restaurants

And he explains to us that water makes a difference at any time of the day Andrea Battaini, assistant restaurant manager of Roteo, the fine dining restaurant inside the 5-star MUSA boutique hotel on Lake Como. «Before any menu, we usually share the water menu with our customers, the first to be served; many remain intrigued, perhaps even initially confused, but let’s try to explain, without boring, that the choice must be calibrated according to needs” says Battaini. Needs that range from food pairing, such as that proposed with the dishes on the fixed menu Aqua, with dishes such as oyster pearl, ceviche water, green apple or risotto with hazelnut, bottarga. In these cases, when the menu is varied, customers start with one bottle and continue with another perhaps with a higher fixed residue. Then there are also those who need more mineralized waters after doing sports, and so the suggestion is more easily oriented towards waters with a higher fixed residue. Last but not least, the presence of Arab customers, for example, «who, not drinking alcohol, choose water as if it were a bottle of wine.

«Before any menu, we usually share the water menu with our customers Andrea Battaini, assistant restaurant manager of Roteo in Sala Comacina, on Lake Como.

In fact, by the summer, Roteo will also introduce some commonly unobtainable bottles into its water list, such as the Hildon, present on the Windsor table. «She was the favorite of Queen Elizabeth who chose her to accompany and lengthen her whiskey precisely because of the balance of her minerals. «With a neutral taste, it makes it perfect to accompany not only food, but also wines and spirits «so much so that since 1989 it has been the mineral water chosen by the sommeliers of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine. As well as the Canadian Iceberg or the Finnish Vellamo. Prices? From 30 euros up, like a bottle of wine.

The Hildon was Queen Elizabeth’s favorite water bottle.

The importance of water also in mixology

«Water is not just a simple tasteless and odorless chemical element, but a food in all respects says Elena Scordamaglia BRITA hydrosommelier and B2B marketing manager BRITA Italia, a leading company in water filtration. And he adds: «Its ingredients are mineral salts which help to stay hydrated, but also harmful substances, such as nitrates or volatile organic compounds, and chlorine which is used to disinfect the aqueduct pipes and which, although not harmful, it alters the taste and smell of the water.” To create culture there are some courses to follow, those of Aquademy by BRITA: a multilevel program to become experts in water and its areas of application. Aimed at everyone, even professionals especially in the coffee, mixology and pastry sectors. An example? Mosaico Spirits is the company that has patented a machine for personalizing gin that can be replicated anywhere through software. The water used is Brita filtered, in fact. «Gin is a cooking recipe based on a mosaic of ingredients, of which three are essential: water, alcohol and botanicals; water is essential for the success of a balanced premium product” explains Marco Bertoncini, CEO of Mosaico Spirits.

Gordon Ramsay Recipes