Although onions can cause gas, they have nutrients that may be helpful for people with certain stomach ailments, such as gastritis. Many gastritis sufferers do not experience symptoms, but others develop nausea, abdominal pain, indigestion and vomiting.

They may cause you to shed a few tears, but Americans certainly do like their onions, eating 20 pounds per person in 2009, according to the National Onion Association. That's up 8 pounds since 1982. Both red and white onions are sweet and mild and make flavorful additions to a variety of dishes, both raw and cooked.

Nutrition experts concur in recommending eating garlic and onion in their raw forms to reap the greatest health benefits.

Red onions, also known as purple onions, are distinct from other types of onions such as Vidalias due to their deep, dark color. Unlike other types of onion, red onions are often consumed raw, with slices of raw onion a popular topping for sandwiches or hamburgers.

Sautéing raw onions brings out the natural sugars, rendering them tender and sweet, which is why they are referred to as “caramelized onions.” Technically, the word sauté means to cook something in oil over direct heat, but as technology changes, cooking terms evolve. "Sautéing"

Grilling fresh vegetables brings out their natural colors and flavors without cooking them until they are limp. Peppers and onions are perfect candidates for grilling because they are firm, and can be cut and enjoyed in pieces large enough not to fall through the grates on your grilling rack.

For many people, onions cause heartburn or other digestive discomfort. If onions interfere with your enjoyment of a meal, or if you don't have one when preparing a recipe that calls for it, onion powder works as a substitute.

Many people have trouble digesting onions, especially when eaten raw. Some people belch, develop gastroesophageal reflux, have abdominal pain and bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or feel as if their meal is sitting in their stomach for longer than usual.

Shallots have a distinctive taste that might best be described as a garlic-onion hybrid, although this bulb isn't a genetic mix of the two. Shallots have an onion-like flavor with a bite that approximates garlic's, but with a sweeter and milder taste.

Sweet, juicy and with more than enough sulfur to make you cry, red onions add a distinct flavor to many dishes.

Onions are a delicious addition to shish kabobs, and for the most tasty results, these aromatic vegetables must be properly cut. Evenly chopping your onions ensures that they will cook at the same rate -- no one wants to bite into a kabob with half its onions burnt while the rest are undercooked.

Onion rings are a common fast food item that are usually covered in a breading or batter and deep-fried. When you make an onion ring batter at home, the proper consistency is crucial for a crispy finished product.