Nutrition

Health Benefits of Onion

Q: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it good to eat onions everyday? Onions are like the unsung heroes of the kitchen! They’re rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. Eating them regularly might contribute to heart health, help regulate blood sugar, and boost your immune system. Just be mindful of your breath afterward – it’s a small price to pay for the benefits!

Written by : Healthpind Staff
Reviewed by: Mónica Sayuri Ramos Imuro

Onions belong to a family of vegetables that also include garlic and leek. Onions differ in size, shape, color, and flavor. The taste usually varies from sweet to spicy and savory. There are many health benefits of Onion; it is a super-healthy food. It contains adequate vitamin C, minerals, sulfur compounds, flavonoids, and phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are natural compounds in plants that can react in the human body to keep you healthy. Flavonoids provide pigments in various fruits and vegetables. Research has shown that they may help decrease the risk of heart conditions, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. Onions contain a valuable flavonoid called quercetin. It is a potent antioxidant and can protect you from cancer. It may also play a role in relieving bladder infection symptoms and controlling blood pressure.

Although these bulbs can make you cry, they are full of nutrients. Since ancient times, onions have been known for medicinal properties, and they were used to treat conditions such as headaches, heart illness, and mouth sores.

Here are some evidence-based health benefits of onions.

Onions contain natural prebiotics that can ease constipation. The fiber inulin in Onion is responsible for improving your digestion. It also acts as food for the gut’s friendly bacteria. Consuming onions can help you to maintain optimum levels of these healthy bacteria. Oligofructose is another soluble fiber that is found in onions. It is said to prevent and treat diarrhea. The phytochemicals present in onions can reduce the risk of developing gastric ulcers. ^[1]

Onions may cause migraine and flatulence in some people. Consult a doctor if it happens. ^[2]

Onion Health Benefits included Protection from cancer

Research studies have demonstrated that consuming onions is beneficial for reducing the risk of certain cancers. In 2019, a research study was conducted in China. It found that regular use of allium vegetables (such as Onion) reduces the risk of colorectal cancer. Intake of onions can minimize the risk by close to 80 percent. ^[3]

Scientific evidence also confirms a direct link between the number of onions and garlic consumption and the reduced chances of breast cancer. Women who consume more onions and garlic are less likely to have breast cancer than women who eat fewer of these vegetables. S-allyl mercapto cysteine and quercetin, found in onions, might fight the spread of cancer cells. ^[4]

The phytoactive compounds in onions have antibacterial properties. In one research study, onion extract acted against Streptococcus, the bacteria causing dental caries.^[7] Due to their antibacterial properties, Onions can speed up wound healing.

Onion extract seems to possess antiplatelet activity. Platelets are components of our blood that help clot blood during injury. Platelet aggregation in blood vessels is one of the primary causes of heart attacks. Onions can prevent heart conditions and stroke by preventing the formation of clots inside your body.
Quercetin in onions is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. It reduces oxidative stress on heart cells and promotes their health.
The phytoactive chemicals in onions can lower your blood pressure. They can lower your increased cholesterol levels. Flavonoids in onions can also decrease the blood’s low-density lipids(bad fats). All these factors are beneficial for the heart. ^[9]

A research study demonstrated that women who regularly ate onions had about 5 percent more bone mass than others. [10] Onion intake can also increase the bone density of older women, decreasing their hip fracture risk by 20%.

Quercetin can decrease the activity of different mediators of inflammation. It can be beneficial in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, relieving joint pains.

Note: After consumption, Onion often leaves a bad breath, which may be due to its high Sulphur content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it good to eat onions everyday?
Onions are like the unsung heroes of the kitchen! They’re rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. Eating them regularly might contribute to heart health, help regulate blood sugar, and boost your immune system. Just be mindful of your breath afterward – it’s a small price to pay for the benefits!