Onions belong to the family of flowering plants called Allium. Garlic, shallots, and leeks also belong to the same family. These veggies including onions are rich in numerous vitamins, minerals, and powerful plant chemicals that have been proved to support health in a variety of ways.
In fact, onions’ healing powers have been known since the dawn of time, when people utilized them to treat conditions including migraines, heart illness, and mouth sores.
From silky hair, and acne-free skin, to better sexual health, there are many onion benefits that will make you want to peel the onions, cut them, use them in remedies and repeat the cycle.
To reap onion benefits, you can use it in your cooking, to enhance the taste of the dish. You can also cut onions in delicate circular rings to garnish your salads.
Now, let’s explore together some of the most amazing onion benefits that you might not know about before.
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The nutritional profile of onions
Although there are many different types of onions, the most popular ones are white, yellow, and red. Depending on the species and season, the flavor can be anything from mild and sweet to harsh and spicy.
Onions can also be consumed when they are immature earlier than the bulb grows to its full size. After that, they are referred to as scallions, spring onions, or summer onions.
Raw onions are one of the healthiest foods with only 40 calories per 3.5 ounces. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the following nutrients are present in 100 grams of raw onions.
- Calories – 40
- Water – 89%
- Protein – 1.1 grams
- Carbs – 9.3 grams
- Sugar – 4.2 grams
- Fiber – 1.7 grams
- Fat – 0.1 grams
Onions are also abundant in several other vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and folate B9.
Health Benefits of Onion
An onion is packed with nutrients. It has fewer calories but more vitamins and minerals. It is rich in vitamin C, that’s why it’s a powerful antioxidant.
It also contains a lot of vitamin B, which has a role in metabolism, nerve function, and red blood cell production. It is a good source of Potassium which is important for your bone health and nerves.
There are many onion or onion juice benefits on health. Let’s get to know them:
1- Onions are Rich in Antioxidants
Did you know before that onion is one of those foods that are loaded with antioxidants?
Well, yes. Onions are an excellent source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that prevent oxidation, which damages cells and is a factor in conditions including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
In actuality, onions include more than 25 different types of flavonoid antioxidants.
Anthocyanins, unique plant pigments from the flavonoid family, are what give red onions, in particular, their rich hue. According to numerous population studies, persons who eat more foods high in anthocyanins had a lower chance of developing heart disease. Anthocyanins have also been discovered to guard against diabetes and certain types of cancer.
2- Onion is Good for Heart Health
Onions contain a lot of antioxidants and other compounds which lower cholesterol levels and fight inflammation. That’s why onions are beneficial for keeping your heart at a healthy level.
For example, the flavonoid antioxidant quercetin is found in high concentrations in onions. Its strong anti-inflammatory properties could aid in reducing heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure.
Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties also protect against blood clots.
3- Contains Cancer-fighting Compounds
Vegetables such as onions and garlic are related to preventing certain types of cancers, including stomach and intestines. These vegetables have certain sulfur compounds and flavonoid antioxidants which are involved in cancer prevention.
Research also shows that the compounds in onions have anticarcinogenic properties, that’s why it prevents your cells from getting cancer. Onions also have compounds that inhibit tumor growth.
4- Onions Help Control Blood Sugar
If you have diabetes, you can add more onions to your diet. Onions help in controlling blood sugar levels. The compounds in onion interact with the cells of the small intestine, pancreas, skeletal muscles, and fat tissues to regulate overall body sugar levels.
However, more research is required to better understand onion juice benefits in regulating blood sugar levels.
5- Onions Benefits to Boost Bone Density
Your mother may insist that you drink a lot of milk and consume other dairy products so that you have a good bone structure.
But only dairy doesn’t do that. Vegetables like onions also have bone health-boosting elements.
Onions help in reducing oxidative stress, improve antioxidant levels in your body, and decrease bone loss.
6- Onions are Antibacterial in Nature
Onions have antibacterial properties. They fight dangerous bacterias that are a public health concern. Quercetin extracted from onions is a powerful compound that fights bacteria.
Make sure to add onions to your everyday salads to have a healthy immune system.
7- Onions Benefits for Digestive Health
Onions are good for your stomach health. They are a rich source of fibers and prebiotics, which are needed to keep your gut health at an optimal level.
Prebiotics are nondigestible fiber types that the good bacteria in your stomach break down. Prebiotics are consumed by gut bacteria, which also produce short-chain fatty acids including butyrate, acetate, and propionate. These short-chain fatty acids have been found to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and promote immunity.
Additionally, eating foods high in prebiotics promotes the growth of probiotics that are good for the digestive system, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria strains.
In addition, prebiotic-rich foods may enhance the absorption of crucial minerals like calcium, which may enhance bone health.
Inulin and fructooligosaccharides are two prebiotics notably abundant in onions. These aid in boosting immune system function and boosting the number of beneficial bacteria in your stomach.
Also, get to know more about the list of fiber-rich foods.
8- Helps Ease Menopause Symptoms
During menopause, the body goes through major changes. Due to hormonal imbalance, the bones tend to get weak.
Although dairy is largely credited with improving bone health, many other foods, such as onions, may also contribute to healthy bones.
As discussed earlier, onions are great at maintaining your bone health, because of the Calcium and Potassium it contains.
So, regular onion consumption is associated with enhanced bone density, according to a sizable observational study of women over 50. According to more studies, eating certain fruits, herbs, and vegetables, like onions, may prevent postmenopausal women from losing bone mass.
If you want to know more about menopause, you can educate yourself about various menopausal symptoms and how to manage them through Healthwire website.
Onion Benefits for Men’s Power
Because it is a wonderful source of chromium, onions are an excellent supply of minerals and help keep your heart healthy by increasing the creation of good cholesterol. They also help control blood sugar levels in the body.
However, do you know that onion benefits for men in improving sexual desire and sexual wellness are significant?
Yes, you may be surprised to know that Onions are an aphrodisiac. They are rich in vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system and fight off toxins, which may affect the stamina of men.
Here are some of the benefits of onions sexually that men should know:
9- Benefits of Onions Sexually in Maintaining Stamina
Stamina is very important for men’s sexual health. Onion benefits for men are effective for this. They ensure the proper erection during intercourse and boost stamina. The stamina also helps in prolonging the act and maintaining the sexual health of both partners.
10- Onions Improve Hormone Production in Men
The benefits of onions sexually also help in increasing the healthy production of the hormone Testosterone. This hormone is very essential for men’s sexual health in regulating sex drive, producing sperms, and performing the erectile function.
Onion juice works directly on endocrine glands, which produce hormones for sexual stamina boost.
11- Onions Increase Sperm Count
Onions are also known to increase sperm count. In this way, onion benefits are important for managing men’s infertility and improving the sexual health problems of men.
But the question is, how to take onion for increasing libido and sexual health?
There is a simple remedy.
Mix three tablespoons of onion juice with ginger and garlic extract, and sip slowly, because the liquid can be bitter. It will help in increasing sexual health and maintaining stamina. The best time to take onion juice is in the morning to get its full benefits.
If you want to know more about premature ejaculation, read about some of the best foods that can help maintain a healthy sexual life.
Onion Benefits for Skin
Onions benefits for skin are also worth mentioning. They give you flawless and fair skin. They are packed with Vitamin A, C, and K, which help in maintaining the glow of the skin.
These vitamins help in getting rid of pigmentation and prevent skin damage from UV rays thereby contributing to onion benefits for the skin.
The secret is very simple.
Just add a hint of onion juice to your regular face packs and get the magic of acne-free and supple skin.
If you want to know more about onion benefits for skin, you should consult a well-known Dermatologist to know if you should add it to your daily skincare routine. A professional can guide you thoroughly about your skin type and the natural DIYs you can use.
Onion Benefits for Hair
Onion water is widely used in hair growth remedies. Onions have antibacterial and antifungal properties, that’s why onion juice fights dandruff in your hair and increases hair strength.
Onions have an amazing ability to promote and enhance collagen, which is very essential for hair growth.
You can use onion juice for your hair in a very easy DIY.
- Extract onion juice.
- Mix 2 tbsp of this juice with 1 tbsp honey to make a paste.
- Apply it to your hair and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Wash it off with lukewarm water.
This hair pack will give your hair the luster and shine it so badly needs. It will also strengthen your hair and increase hair growth.
What is the best time to eat onions?
You might be thinking about the best time to eat onion and how to eat it, cooked or raw?
Well, I have got you covered.
The best time to eat onions is during the summers, as you are dehydrated due to constant sweating and heat. Also, the best time to eat onions is at any time during the day.
Now, when you know the best time to eat onions, let’s how should you eat them.
Eat it raw in your salads, and it will keep you cool and give many health benefits. Add a pinch of salt and a hint of lemon juice to make it delicious and aesthetic.
An Ending Note!
Onions give a flavor boost to any dish. The best thing is you can eat it at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
You can use onions to make pickles. You can sauté, braise, boil, steam, bake, grill, caramelize, roast, and even fry the onions. Isn’t it the best to have in your cooking?
So, just sit back, peel the onions, cut them, eat and enjoy.
