Dear Readers, Diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cancer, bacterial infections – all these diseases have something in common: the ingredients of the onion health benefits, especially the highly effective antioxidants, can alleviate the diseases mentioned and even help to prevent them from developing.
But the onion is also said to have many other healing powers. Which onions are particularly healthy and how can you best benefit from their health-promoting effects? Find out below.
Healing power of onion health benefits: what are onions good for?
The onion is considered a remedy for some of the most common serious medical conditions. For example, it should reduce the risk of cancer, lower the blood sugar level of diabetics, help against multi-resistant germs and improve bone density.
However, the popular home remedy does not belong to the group of overrated or even dangerous remedies that do more harm than good. Rather, the onion is actually an effective remedy and numerous scientific studies prove the healing power of the onion.
Red onion in particular is characterized by high levels of important antioxidants. Onions also contain sulfur compounds, vitamins, and minerals. Reason enough to take a closer look at the positive effects of onions on our health.
Effect on inflammation: is onion antibacterial?
Onions are considered disinfectants and therefore a good home remedy for inflammation. But is an onion actually anti-inflammatory? The answer is yes because a lot of inflammation is caused by bacteria. Onions have been shown to have antibiotic properties, which means they fight bacteria and can thus reduce inflammation.
In addition, onion health benefits stimulate the immune system and thus provide the organism with additional help to help itself in the event of infections.
In contrast to the conventional antibiotics that are available in pharmacies on prescription, the onion does not weaken the intestinal flora and thus the immune system. It is also effective against germs that have already developed resistance to antibiotics.
Onions for earache and cold
External use is also possible for inflammation, for example, earache. A tried and tested home remedy for middle ear infections is an onion pouch or an onion in a sock that is placed on the ear. Colloquially, it is also said that the onion pulls out the inflammation.
Internal use is recommended for colds and coughs. For example, onion juice is known for coughs. Homemade onion cough syrup is a good alternative to store-bought products. To make the home remedy for cough, mix chopped onions with brown sugar and let them steep for a few hours. From the resulting onion syrup, you can take a teaspoon several times a day to relieve the cough.
Alternatively, instead of sugar, you can use honey for the onion-typical spiciness. However, if the honey is added to hot juice, the valuable ingredients of the bee product get damaged. Therefore, onion syrup made from honey should not be heated.
Other external uses of onion health benefits
Onions can also help with insect bites. To do this, cut an onion in half and press the cut surface onto the affected area.
Active ingredients derived from onion health benefits can also help to speed up the healing of scars. In the case of finished preparations, the onion extract is labeled. However, you can also make such a scar gel from onion extract yourself. Onions are also used to treat abscesses.
But not only inflammation of the skin, but also orthopedic problems, such as bursitis, respond to treatment with onions.
Is onion health benefits good for the gut?
The valuable active ingredients in onions include dietary fiber, which is particularly important for healthy digestion. They are the “feed” of the healthy intestinal bacteria, which among other things have a strong influence on the immune system in our intestinal flora. But not only that: the intestinal flora most likely has an influence on numerous health factors. Of course, it also influences digestive activity.
However, there is a small downer: Raw onions in particular can cause flatulence in people with a sensitive digestive tract. Cooking onions makes them easier to digest, but they lose some of their health benefits. Alternatively, you can use spring onions, which are a bit milder overall, but also less effective.
Or you can try to slowly get your digestive tract used to onions by gradually increasing your intake of healthy vegetables.
How healthy are onions?
In addition to the path via the intestinal flora, onions also affect our immune system in other ways. Its ingredients include vitamins A and C as well as B vitamins, minerals such as iron and calcium, and trace elements.
Vitamin A and C, for example, are highly effective antioxidants that prevent cell damage from oxidative stress. In addition, Vitamin A is important for eyesight, skin, bones, and teeth, among other things. Also, Vitamin C accelerates wound healing. The vitamins from the B complex are important for metabolism and nerve function, for example. In addition, onions can help improve the absorption of iron and zinc from grains.
Are Onions Healthy for Diabetics?
While onions are not a cure for diabetes, they have been shown to help lower blood sugar levels. They are also suitable for preventing diabetes because a permanently high blood sugar level is one of the greatest risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
Onions are also a helpful health tip if you already have diabetes. Since onions are good for the liver, they help our body to keep blood sugar levels at a constant, moderate level.
Incidentally, the inulin contained in onions prevents the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver – a disease of civilization that is unfortunately on the rise.
But be careful: A diet rich in onions does not replace the medication prescribed by your doctor. Discontinue medication only in consultation.
Are onions good for the heart?
Onions are very healthy for the heart and even have a triple effect against diseases of the cardiovascular system:
Onions have been shown to lower blood pressure.
Scientific research has shown that onions can lower cholesterol levels.
The antioxidants contained in onions also protect the heart and circulation.
Similar to garlic, onions also contain the antioxidant allicin, which can help prevent arteriosclerosis due to its vascular protective effect. This is considered an important risk factor for the development of heart attacks and strokes.
Do onions protect bones?
Scientists assume that onion health benefits have a positive effect on bone density and can thus prevent the development of osteoporosis.
Researchers from South Carolina found that women who ate onions every day had five percent higher bone density than women who ate onions once a month or less. Regular consumption of onions most likely reduces the risk of hip fracture by twenty percent.
The fiber in onions also promotes the absorption of calcium, a mineral that is important for bone health.
Do Onions Prevent Cancer?
Scientific studies have shown that onions may reduce the risk of various cancers.
The analysis of a large amount of data by Italian researchers showed that regular consumption of onions and garlic could have a positive effect on the prevention of cancers of the digestive tract, as well as other cancers such as esophageal cancer or ovarian cancer.
Is it healthy to lose weight with onions?
One-sided diets are unhealthy and even dangerous. A pure onion diet would therefore not be recommended for losing weight.
However, you should include vegetables regularly in your diet, because a scientific study showed that onion skin extract can help reduce body fat and thus lose weight.
Incidentally, with 28 kcal per 100 g, onions are one of the lower-calorie vegetables. At the same time, they have a high nutritional value.
How Can You Best Benefit From Onions?
Proper preparation is crucial for onions to be able to develop their full health benefits. This starts with the cutting: the outer skin of the onion contains a particularly large number of vitamins. For this reason, you should be careful when cutting and removing as few layers as possible.
Also, some recipes that use onion health benefits are healthier than others: a salad with raw onions would be healthier than an onion tart or chicken with onion and cream sauce.
Heat damages the valuable components of the onion. Ideally, eat them raw. If this is not possible, the gentlest possible preparation methods should be selected. For example, fried onions are less healthy than steamed ones.
Red onions are the most beneficial to your health.
Shelf life and onions storage tips
Below we answer five frequently asked questions about the shelf life and storage of onions:
What is the best way to store onions? Onions are best stored in a dark and dry place because light allows onions to germinate. The shoots are not poisonous, but a sprouted onion can spoil faster. Onions can last a few months if stored cool, but usually only one to two weeks at room temperature. Whole onions should be kept open, i.e. in the air, and not wrapped in foil.
How do I store a sliced onion? Cover the cut with foil or place the onion cut side down in a storage box. However, do not wrap cut onions in aluminum foil. The aluminum can transfer to the onion, which has unfavorable effects on both taste and health.
How long does an onion keep in the fridge? Whole onions do not belong in the refrigerator, as the humidity in the air causes them to go moldy too quickly. You can store a cut onion covered with foil in the fridge for a few days. Red onions and spring onions are also better to store in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator but should be eaten within a week. Few studies say onions cannot be stored in refrigerators so it is better to avoid storing them in refrigerators.
Can onions become poisonous? Cut onions rot faster than whole ones, but they don’t become poisonous. Onions that have already been chopped up spoil particularly quickly.
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