HEALTH BENEFITS|USES OF ONIONS

Onion is one of the oldest cultivated plants and has many health benefits to offer. Onion is highly valued for its therapeutic properties. When it comes to cooking, it is used because of the flavor it adds to food. The odor in onion is as a result of its organic sulfur compounds.

Onions could be white, red or yellow in colour. Onion should be eaten raw, to get the most of its curative properties.

Some nutrients found in onion include

• Fiber
• Phosphorus 
• Calcium
• Vitamin C
• Iron
• Vitamin B complex
• Biotin
• Manganese
• Copper
• Folate

The health benefits of onion are outlined below.
1 Prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Recent studies have showed that onion is able to prevent the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Onion contains quercetin which helps in preventing plaque from building up in our arteries which therefore reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

A research conducted in 2006 confirmed that those who consume foods that are high in quercetin will have a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (1).

Red onions have a high amount of quercetin when compared to white onion. Apples also contain quercetin.

One study used onion peel extract supplementation for two weeks on women and concluded that onion reduces the possibility of developing risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (2). 

Apart from onions, there are other superfoods that can help reduce our risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as bananas, water melon or  Turmeric (curcuma). Curcuma many health benefits and uses making it one of the most sought after ingredient. 

2 Prevention of Cancer

One study has revealed that Onion and garlic are able to prevent cancer (3).
Researchers have found out that onion contains many compounds that make onion to possess chemopreventive properties (4)

3 Treatment of Alopecia(baldness)

One study investigated the effectiveness of fresh onion juice in the treatment of patchy alopecia. At the end of the study, they saw hair growth in 86% of those who applied onion juice on their hair twice a day for 2 months (5).

Further reading: how to use onion to treat alopecia and enhance hair growth

4 Helps in regulating blood pressure

Eating onions will help in regulating high blood pressure. An onion-olive oil combination has been shown to reduce arterial blood pressure (6). 

5 A remedy for cough and colds

Onion has expectorant properties. As a result of this, it is used as a home remedy for cough and colds. Onion has been used for centuries as a remedy for respiratory diseases. Equal amounts of onion juice and honey should be consumed as a home remedy for cough and colds. 
Adding curcuma, garlic and ginger will speed up the healing process because these foods are able to relieve cough and colds

6 Onion decreases the risk of developing osteoporosis

One study has revealed that the consumption of onion may reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis (7). 

Women who are undergoing menopause or Post-menopausal women who consume onions daily have a reduced risk of fractures that occur as a result of low bone density.

7 May help fight dental carriers
Onion has been shown to have anti bacterial potentials against oral pathogenic bacteria such as streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus which are responsible for dental carriers (8).

8 Good for Diabetics
Onion helps in improving insulin sensitivity and increases energy levels. Quercetin is the compound responsible (9).

Increased insulin sensitivity helps in reducing high blood glucose levels occurred as a result of insulin insensitivity.