Onions are a great and healthy addition to any meal. They add flavor, texture, and they’re also good for you! They increase your immune system, reduce cholesterol, prevent cancer, and can even help you lose weight! So if you’re looking for an excuse to eat more onions or want to convince someone else that eating onions is beneficial, here are 21 benefits of eating onions.
It May Improve Your Heart Health
Onions contain a chemical called quercetin. Quercetin is an antioxidant that has been proven to protect the heart and blood vessels from damage and disease. It does this by preventing oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) which causes it to build up in the arteries instead of being removed, as usual, causing atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
It May Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Eating onions may actually reduce your total blood-cholesterol levels because they help remove bad (LDL) cholesterol from your body more efficiently than eating other foods alone.
Studies have shown that people who consumed onions (whether raw or cooked) had reduced cholesterol levels as compared to those people who did not consume onions regularly.
It May Help Prevent Cancer
Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases known to humankind. Around 10 million people die from cancer every year. So it is essential to eat foods that help reduce the risk of cancer, and onion is one of those food items.
Onions are a good source of phytochemical quercetin, which has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and tumors in laboratory studies.
It’s also thought that onions may help protect against other forms of cancer such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and colorectal cancer.
It Can Help Keep You Leaner
As mentioned earlier, onions contain fiber which can help you feel full after eating less food. This is because fiber takes up space in your stomach, so you digest it more slowly, keeping you satisfied for more extended periods without needing to snack or overeat later on.
In addition, the fiber helps lower blood sugar levels, which can help prevent insulin resistance and type-II diabetes.
It May Enhance Athletic Performance
The quercetin found in onions has been shown to improve exercise performance by increasing oxygen utilization during aerobic activities like running or biking.
It also may reduce muscle damage caused by strenuous physical activity so that you might recover faster after a heavy workout session. Plus, it’s packed with chromium, an essential mineral that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and improves glucose tolerance.
Onions Are Great for Your Skin!
Just one cup of chopped raw red onion contains a very reasonable proportion of vitamin A, providing antioxidant benefits that benefit skin health as well as eye health when eaten regularly over time.
Vitamin A is also needed for the growth and repair of skin cells, meaning that onions can help keep your skin looking young and refreshed.
They’re good for Your Eyesight
One of the lesser-known benefits of eating onions is that they can help improve your vision. Onions are a great source of vitamin C which is important for maintaining healthy eyesight and preventing eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
In fact, one cup of chopped onions provides a very high percentage of your daily recommended intake (DRI) of this essential vitamin.
They Help Detoxify the Body
Onions contain sulfur compounds which help them to detoxify the body by stimulating liver function. This, in turn, helps improve digestion and elimination, reduces inflammation, and boosts overall energy levels.
So going on a cleanse has never been easier; all you have to do is incorporate onions into your diet.
They’re low in Calories and Have High Nutritional Value
One cup of chopped onions contains only 44 calories and provides valuable nutrients such as vitamin C, B vitamins, chromium, potassium, and fiber.
So if you’re looking for a healthy snack that will fill you up without filling you out, try some chopped onions instead!
Onions Are Loaded With Antioxidants
Onions are loaded with antioxidants which make them a great immune system booster. In addition, its antioxidant properties can help prevent a range of different diseases.
So if you are looking to stay healthy, you better add ‘an onion a day keeps the doctor away” in that globally famous phrase about apple.
It Can Help You Control Your Blood Sugar Levels
The chromium in onions, for example, helps the body’s cells respond to insulin better. This can help people with type-II diabetes and those who are at risk of developing it keep their blood sugar levels under control.
It Can Boost Your Bone Density
The manganese in onions can help increase bone density by increasing the mineral content of bones. So if you’re concerned about osteoporosis, make sure to add more onion to your diet.
Onions Have Anti-Bacterial Properties
The phytochemicals found in onions have antibacterial properties that can help fight off different types of bacteria. This is mainly due to the chromium, sulfur-containing compounds, and flavonoids that are found in onions.
Onions Can Assist With Weight Loss Efforts
Obesity can be very dangerous. This is why people are always looking to lose weight and stay fit. Some people follow strict diets to lose weight, while others follow a strict workout regimen.
However, there are specific tips that can complement your weight loss efforts. One of those techniques is adding onion to your diet. Onion can be great for weight loss and overall health.
When eaten raw or cooked, onions have a low-calorie count but high nutritional value. This can help you feel full faster, so you’re less likely to overeat later on at your next meal.
They Can Boost Your Immune System
Onions contain sulfur-containing compounds that stimulate the immune system and fight off infections more quickly. They’re also rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that has antimicrobial properties, so it can help prevent colds and different types of flu when consumed regularly over time.
They’re good for Your Digestion
Onions are a great source of dietary fiber, which is beneficial for digestion. Fiber helps to keep things moving through the digestive system smoothly and can help reduce constipation and other gastrointestinal problems. So if you are suffering from digestive issues, then onions can be of great help.
They Are Great For Curing Respiratory Issues
Onions are known to be good for the respiratory system. They contain antioxidants, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help clear out your nasal passages, reduce sinus infections and sore throats, and aid in easing colds or coughs when consumed regularly over time. It should be noted that onions can help prevent a lot of respiratory issues; however, they should not be considered as the ultimate medicine for respiratory problems. If your respiratory issues are getting severe, then you should consult a doctor.
They Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties
It is very important to have a diet that contains food items with anti-inflammatory properties. For example, onions are a very strong anti-inflammatory food item.
Consuming onions can help to reduce inflammation throughout the body, leading to a decreased risk of developing diseases such as arthritis, asthma, or heart disease.
They Can Be Great For Your Oral Health
Contrary to common belief, onions can actually make your breath smell good. Onions are beneficial for oral health due to their antibacterial properties and because of the abundance of Vitamin C.
This means they can help kill the bacteria that cause bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease when consumed on a regular basis. We all know how severe toothache can be, so it is only sensible for you to take steps to improve your oral health.
Consuming Onions Is Great For Your Hair
If you are suffering from hair loss or other hair-related issues, then onions can help you with this issue as well. Onions are very beneficial for hair health.
Nutrients found in onions can help keep your scalp healthy and free from infection, as well as improve the overall health and appearance of your hair. So if you are looking to get that silky smooth look for your hair, then onions are the way to go.
It Can Help Reduce the Risk of Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most dangerous conditions in the world. Thousands of people lose their lives to diabetes every year. Nutritionists and doctors recommend changing your lifestyle in order to stay safe from diabetes.
Diabetes can be caused by unhealthy eating habits and not working on your fitness levels. One way to improve your diet is to add onion to the mix. Try to eat a reasonable amount of onion in order to prevent the risks of getting diabetes.
So there you have it; some of the most valuable benefits of consuming onions. Onions don’t just add taste and scent to your food; they also offer a lot of medical benefits, as seen above. So if you are looking to get healthier without having to make much effort, then one step that you can take for that is to incorporate onions in your daily diet. Once you do that, you will start seeing the health benefits yourself.