What mechanism involving sulfur-containing compounds in onions may reduce the risk of blood clots leading to serious cardiac events?
Answer
Inhibit the clumping of platelets
The sulfur compounds in onions contribute significantly to their cardioprotective profile through their direct impact on the circulatory system's clotting mechanisms. Specifically, these compounds have been demonstrated to have an inhibitory effect on the aggregation, or clumping, of platelets. Platelets are small blood components that initiate the clotting cascade. By inhibiting this premature clumping, the sulfur compounds effectively work to reduce the overall risk of forming dangerous blood clots within the vessels, which are precursors to severe cardiac events like heart attacks or strokes.
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