The first shipments of these juicy, succulent bulbs arrived Monday at Northland supermarkets, ranging from 59 cents to 79 cents a pound. The mild, sweet flavor of the world-famous Vidalia onion is credited to the unique combination of soils and climate found in its South Georgia growing region. The sugar content of a Vidalia is comparable to that of an apple. All onions belong to the allium vegetable family, a category that also includes garlic, shallots, leeks and chives. There is some evidence that diets high in allium compounds may protect against stomach cancer.
Onions are low in calories, high in vitamin C and rich in fiber.
Many readers may be aware of two recent medical studies concluding that a high-fiber diet does nothing to prevent the polyps that can lead to colorectal cancer. In evaluating this research, it's important to realize that both studies involved only short-term dietary adjustments. Many cancers, including colon cancer, may take decades to develop. They should be firm and hard and reasonably free of blemishes. Take extra care in handling these onions.