Saturday, July 19, 1997

Take onions to heart in your diet

By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News

Folks who enjoy the sweet taste of the Vidalia onion can look forward to a new, heart-healthy onion that also is heartburn-free.

USDA and University of Wisconsin breeding programs are working on it.

Onions, like garlic, have a natural blood-thinning effect that could play an important role in cardiovascular health. Research at the University of Wisconsin has shown that onions produce an anti-coagulant that thins the blood more efficiently than even aspirin.

But ... there's a catch. The <I>best<I> onions for this thinning effect also happen to be the ones that are the most pungent and can cause heartburn. Consumers often either shy away from such onions or cook them.

Trouble is, the cooking destroys the blood-thinning effect.

To overcome this problem, scientists with USDA's Agricultural Research Service developed the first "genetic road map" of the onion that will help to distinguish the plant's flavor and health benefits. With this map, the scientists aim to separate the pungent flavor from the anticoagulant activity that thins the blood.

By year 2000, researchers will complete genetic experiments to establish whether plant breeders can produce milder onions with high anti-coagulant benefit.

World grain buyers to visit wheat states

Grain importers, flour millers and government officials from throughout the world will visit leading U.S. wheat-producing states this summer and fall.

This is part of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) foreign trade team visits to the United States to review American wheat production, marketing, inspection, and distribution systems.

These visits are becoming increasingly important as the privatization of wheat imports continues in countries throughout the world.

When a country privatizes its imports, its government relinquishes control of imports to the private sector. This usually increases the number of individuals involved in importing - many of whom are unfamiliar with U.S. wheat production, marketing, and export systems.

Speaking of world trade

The Texas Department of Agriculture will host a series of informal meetings on the Texas-Mexico agricultural trade Monday through Wednesday in Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

These meetings will feature Norval Francis, agricultural minister-counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

Francis will highlight both the political and economic situation in Mexico. He will discuss the North American Free Trade Agreement and ag trade.

Meetings scheduled are: 2 p.m., July 21 at the Greater Houston Partnership, 1200 Smith St., Houston; 1:30 p.m., July 22 at the International Small Business Development Center, Cypress Tower Building, 1222 N. Main, San Antonio; and 1:30 p.m., July 23 at the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, World Trade Center, 2050 Stemmons.