What are the Health Benefits of Onions

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

An onion is a type of bulbous vegetable used as a seasoning and a base to various dishes. Packed with sulfur, onion is a great source of antioxidants and vitamins too! In today’s post, we are listing down the surprising health benefits of this kitchen staple:

Protects from Oxidative Stress

The humble onion happens to be one of the richest sources of flavonoid quercitin. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant that thins the blood, raise good cholesterol in the system, and reduce blood clots. Studies show that quercetin reduces asthma attacks, minimizes the risk of diabetes, atherosclerosis, and infections of all kinds.

Quercetin is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiviral, and anticancer agents. The quercetin in onions is concentrated on the skins so never remove the skin to maximize the health benefits of this flavonoid!

Purifies the Gut

Onions contain various compounds that purge the system of toxic buildup. This vegetable is packed with sulfur amino acids methionine and cysteine. These compounds help eliminate heavy metals in the body. Methionine and cysteine work by binding with mercury, cadmium, and lead so they are safely eliminated from the body as waste.

Onions are also high in vitamin C. This antioxidant detoxifies the organs, eliminating heavy metals arsenic and cadmium. Increasing your consumption of onions help keep the organs free from toxic compounds that cause health problems.

Heart-Friendly

The quercitin in onions helps keep the blood free from clots that could cause stroke or deep vein thrombosis. Apart from thinning the blood for better circulation, onions also lower the triglycerides level in the blood. It regulates blood pressure and keeps the heart healthy. Onions are so effective in keeping the heart healthy that some cardiologists even recommend increasing the consumption of onions among patients who survived coronary heart disease!

Reduces the Risk of Cancer

Onions are linked to cancer prevention, particularly stomach cancer. The vegetable is packed with antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and DNA damage. According to scientists, oxidative stress and DNA damage are the precursors of cell mutation. Cell mutation triggers the generation of malignant cells that spread rapidly in the body.

The organosulfur compounds in onions are proven effective in inhibiting the spreading of cancer in lab tests. The sulfuric compounds target and destroy cancer cells. These chemicals also shrink down tumors with no adverse effect on the host.

Minimize Inflammation

Sustained internal inflammation is the cause of dozens of diseases, including cancer and diabetes. By reducing the internal inflammation, onions provide long lasting relief from inflammatory diseases such as asthma, allergies, and joint pain.

A study published in the American Journal of Physiology reported that the quercetin in onions helps relax the bronchial airways. Eating onions regularly reduce asthma symptoms. In another study published in the journal International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology, researchers found that onions contain anti-inflammatory agents that effectively cut the symptoms of respiratory disease.

Strengthens the Immune System

A diet rich in raw onions is one way to guarantee a strong immune system. Onions protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are destructive ions that target healthy cells. Keeping the cells healthy equates to a stronger immune system. A study by the University of Maryland Medical Center found that quercetin in onions inhibits the production of histamines in the body.