{"id":16304,"date":"2020-04-23T08:36:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-23T08:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=16304"},"modified":"2021-05-10T14:01:23","modified_gmt":"2021-05-10T14:01:23","slug":"14-health-benefits-of-onion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-health-benefits-of-onion\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Health Benefits of Onion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Onions are a plant that comes from the Allium line of plants. The same line also produces leeks, garlic, and chives. Onions along with their close relatives all offer a wide range of medicinal benefits as well as strong flavors that can be used in cooking. Onions come in a wide range of colors, sizes, flavors, and shapes. The most common onion colors are white, yellow, and red. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the season, locality has grown in, and the exact strain, the taste can range from spicy to sweet. Onions have been a staple for humans for centuries, and of all the countries, China produces the most onion of all. While each knows that the fumes from onions can cause your eyes to water, there is much more to onions than their pungent fumes. They offer a wide assortment of health benefits that range from improved hair health and mood improvement to reducing your risk of some cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


1. Lower Cholesterols Levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Raw onions have been proven to block and reduce the production of bad cholesterol <\/a>in the body. Cholesterol is often the main cause of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. Red onions, in particular, contain a high concentration of flavonoids in their skin that are good for your heart and aid in the reduction of bad LDL. Onions of all colors help to prevent heart disease thanks to the rich amount of organosulfur they contain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In one study, people who consumed higher amounts of organosulfur compounds were shown to be at a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who ate low levels or none at all. Onions also have thiosulfinates. This compound is a natural blood thinner that can help prevent strokes and reduce the chances of a person having a heart attack. Onions also contain quercetin which is equally effective in the fight against heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Good Source of Vitamin C For Brain Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Vitamin C<\/a> is beneficial for many parts of the body. It has long since been used to help boost the immune system and more recently has become a staple skincare ingredient. Raw onions have a high level of vitamin C as well as phytochemicals. When the two are paired together in the raw form, they present a powerful tool that helps boost the immune system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vitamin C in onions also help support healthy brain function. Onion contains a high level of antioxidants in the skin and in the juice. These antioxidants bind with bad toxins that reach the brain and help to flush them back down past the blood\/brain barrier and out of the body. All color onions have sulfur which can reduce the signs of aging both externally and internally. The di-n-propyl trisulfide found in raw onions has also been proven to help with memory impairment in adults. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Helps Prevent Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Quercetin is a powerful compound that is available in high concentrations in all types and colors of onion. According to recent studies, such as the one conducted by the University of Guelph, onions <\/a>are key players in cancer prevention. All onions help to kill colon cancer and breast cancer cells, but red onions are the most effective. Onions have massive amounts of both anthocyanin and quercetin which are two compounds that are critical in fighting cancerous cells. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The active ingredients in onions trigger the opening of certain pathways that make cancer cells turn on themselves and die. The same ingredients make it hard for the cancer cells to communicate with each other and thus slows their growth. In some cases, it can even prevent their growth completely. People who eat larger amounts of onions one a weekly basis tend to develop cancer less often than those who avoid all onions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Blood Sugar Regulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Root vegetable offers a lot of benefits for the human body, onions are one of those that offer more benefits than most. Onions are full of chromium, which is used to help regulate the levels of sugar in the blood. For those with diabetes, onions can help manage blood sugar levels and this helps controls the production or lack thereof, of insulin<\/a>. There are several studies that show that extract from onions can help to lower the levels of sugar in the blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also sulfur compounds found in onions, specifically S-methyl cysteine. Combined, quercetin, and S-methyl cysteine have positive effects on blood sugar levels. The best results are seen when onions are consumed in partnership with metformin. This is a commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drug that helps diabetics to manage their condition. Polyphenols are also present in onions. Polyphenols also play a pivotal role in glycemic control in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Help Boost the Immune System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


With the world currently going through a pandemic, it makes sense that people are looking for ways to help bolster their immune system<\/a>. Onions are one way to give your body the boost it needs to fight off infections, bacteria, and nasty viruses. Mixing honey and onion juice is a natural way to reduce fever, stop seasonal allergies in their tracks, and even ward off the common cold. Onions of all colors contain a beneficial compound called selenium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This helpful compound is one that stimulates healthy immune function in both men and women. This essential mineral also inhibits an excessive immune response which is one of the reasons people have such terrible seasonal allergies. Immune cells in the body that do not have enough selenium fail to reproduce in an effective manner. When they do reproduce, they will develop improperly which can lead to a weaker immune system that leaves you open to infections or worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Ease Menopause Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Menopause <\/a>affects each woman in a slightly different way, but one thing is certain, the process is difficult for everyone. Onions help ease the transition in the body from a regular functioning uterus to one that is no longer active. During menopause, onions help to support the liver by helping to get rid of unused hormones in the body, called waste hormones. It is also important to maintain proper calcium levels during menopause to prevent excessive bone density loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Onions have a high concentration of calcium too and are able to help reduce the rate of bone density loss in women. Onions have been used as a herbal medicine in Russia, and many other parts of the world to treat various ailments including menopause. Onions help to boost the immune system as well which tends to weaken dramatically during menopause. Mixing a simple tea of lemon juice, honey, and onion juice is best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Helps Aid Sleep & Mental Stability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Onions are rich in folate which is critical to fighting depression. Folate also aids healthy sleep patterns and helps people to maintain a healthy appetite. Onions of all colors contain high amounts of prebiotics in their skin and in their fibers. These prebiotics has been proven to improve sleep patterns as well as reduce the levels of stress a person experiences. Prebiotics <\/a>are helpful bacteria that live in the intestinal tract and help ensure a healthy gut. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These beneficial bacteria that live in the gut will slowly digest the prebiotic fiber from the onions. After digestion, they will multiply and further improve your gut health. What is most important is that they will release metabolic byproducts that will influence your brain function cause you to sleep more quickly, and more deeply. When a person has a good quality of sleep, and enough deep, REM sleep, their improved mental stability will naturally follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Boost Collagen Production & Reduce Oxidative Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Oxidative stress is one of the leading causes of aging. Onion juice has been proven to be an effective method of moderating oxidative stress. It can also help reduce the oxidative stress that is caused by diabetic stress in the body. The compound that allows onion to help manage oxidative stress quercetin. The DNA <\/a>in your body can be damaged from high levels of oxidative stress in addition to certain diseases that can develop as a result of oxidative stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quercetin from onions offers both antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory properties, both of which are essential for total body health. Onions also have a high level of natural vitamin C. Proper amounts of vitamin C in the body triggers the production of collagen. Increased levels of collagen in the body will make the skin more youthful and improve the overall health of your hair as well. Onion juice can be used topically for vitamin C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Antibacterial & Anti-inflammatory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Onions have been proven to contain a wealth of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial <\/a>properties. Fresh onions that have been chopped, not cooked, offer the best anti-bacterial properties for those seeking to used them to fight certain diseases. Onions that have been cooked or those that have been cut and stored for more than 12 hours tend to lose their anti-bacterial properties in degrees as time goes by. Onions contain quercetin and many other flavonoids that fight or completely inhibit inflammation in the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They can also be used to help manage allergies because onions prevent the release of histamine in the body. Many people use onions to help drain the sinuses by taking advantage of the antihistamine properties that quercetin contains. Onions are also a way to reduce nasal congestion and clear the senses. The extract of onions is effective in killing Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus mutans, the cause of dental cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Boost Oral Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


The last thing you would think about when it comes to oral health is chewing on a smelly onion. As pungent as this delicious fruit may be, it is an effective way to improve your oral health and fight against the development of cavities. Chewing fresh onions that are still raw will help kill harmful bacteria <\/a>that can harm your teeth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus mutants are the two main bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. The sulfur compound thiosulfinates help to eliminate these harmful bacteria and improve the health of your gums and teeth. It is important to note that cooked onions are not an effective way to boot tooth health. Raw onions must be chewed for the best results. Onions of all colors are also rich in vitamin C which supports a healthy immune system and improves the health of your teeth. Just beware of bad breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Promotes Healthy Digestion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Onions offer many different forms of digestive benefits. The main way onions promote healthy digestions is due to their special fibers. The fiber in onions, called inulin, is used to feed the good bacteria that live in your gut. Eating high levels of these fibers keeps your beneficial bacteria that live in your intestines well-fed and replicating properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In rare cases as a person may be sensitive to the thiosulfinates that are in onions which can cause the thiosulfinates to attack the good bacteria<\/a> in your gut. Onions also contain oligofructose, which is a form of soluble fiber. Oligofructose has been used as a treatment and prevention for different forms of diarrhea all over the world. If you are looking for a way to reduce the chance of developing gastric ulcers, onions are a great way to do so. The phytochemicals in onions have been proven to limit the development of such ulcers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Improves Bone Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Some studies show that onions can help improve and maintain healthy bones along with reducing age-related osteoporosis<\/a>. According to the same research, there is a compound that is found in white onions specifically that can reduce bone loss. This compound, called GPCS showed that those who consume it will suffer less age-related bone loss than those who are taking a placebo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women who eat onions as part of their regular diet also tend to show less loss in bone mass as they age than women who do not eat onions regularly. Regular onion consumption in women over the age of 50 also has a positive effect on bone density levels. For those who suffer from arthritis, quercetin that is found in onions can also provide a modicum of relief. Quercetin, according to the Arthritis Foundation, is able to inhibit prostaglandins, histamines, and leukotrienes activity. The result is less inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Helps Cure Ear Disorders
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Many children suffer from earaches <\/a>and ear infections. While most infections can clear up on their own, others may persist. Most pediatricians will avoid prescribing antibiotics or other medications unless they are urgently needed, as a result, parents are left looking for natural remedies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Onions have been used to treat ailments of the ear for generations. One way to use onion to heal ear infections is to heat up an onion to remove the juice. Once the juice is cool, simply place a few drops into the ear that is infected. Allow the juice to remain in the ear as long as it is comfortable and then allow it to drain. You can also make an onion pack and place it directly over the infected ear. This method is less reliable at times but may work for those who prefer not to apply onion juice directly to the ear canal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Promotes Respiratory Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


Many people in America and all over the world suffer from respiratory issues such as allergic rhiniti<\/a>s and asthma. While many people may use an inhaler or take other medications to help control their condition, there are natural ways to find relief as well. According to recent studies, there are many fruits and vegetables that can help reduce respiratory issues in people of all ages. Onions are one of those vegetables that can help ease distress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Onions have anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat or lessen the severity of many respiratory issues. Adding onions to your daily diet will help reduce inflammation in your body, including your lungs. They also help to lessen the production of histamine which can further trigger respiratory distress. Of course, onions are meant to assist with respiratory problems, they are not a substitute for prescribed medications. Always consult with your doctor before stopping any medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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