10 Health Benefits of Onions

If you have ever cooked using recipes from your mom, grandma, Pinterest or really from anywhere, you may have noticed a common theme. Most, if not all, of these recipes will instruct you to heat your pot, pan or Dutch oven with oil then add chopped onions, which you will sauté for a few minutes until softened. Onions are a kitchen staple that appear in many dishes, and there’s a reason for that.

If you are concerned about your health, you will want to consider adding more onions to your diet. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties onions contain make consuming onions great for your heart health. Not only that, but they are also highly nutritious and delicious! This article will provide you with ten health benefits of onions.

1. Have Many Antioxidants

Antioxidants may help prevent cell damage by fighting free radical molecules. Free radicals are developed when the body is exposed to radiation or tobacco smoke. These molecules can cause diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. By eating onions you can help your body fight free radicals and improve your overall health.

2. Help with Blood Sugar Levels

If you have diabetes, onions are an excellent way to help keep your blood sugar levels steady. The flavonoids in onions work to keep the blood glucose levels stabilized. If levels are low, you might experience symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, headache, and many other signs.

3. Improved Digestive Health

Onions contain a high amount of prebiotics and fiber. In the body, this helps improve gut health by aiding in digestion, strengthening the immune system, and lowering inflammation.

4. Loaded with Nutrients

Onions are considered to be nutrient-dense food. This means that they contain a small number of calories and a large number of nutrients. They are a great source of potassium and manganese. Potassium helps to increase energy and your metabolism. Manganese helps the body create connective tissue, aids in bone health, and lowers the chance of forming blood clots.

5. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Onions contain an antioxidant called quercetin. Quercetin is an anti-inflammatory and works to fight off inflammation within the body. It is great at lowering swelling, helping with arthritis, and treating bladder infections.

6. May Keep Certain Cancers at Bay

If you are concerned about your risk of developing cancer, you may want to consume more onions. Researchers found moderate consumption of onions appeared to reduce the risk of colorectal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancers.

7. Reduces Risks of Alzheimer’s Disease

Studies have been conducted to discover the relationship between quercetin and Alzheimer’s disease. These studies showed a significant association between consuming foods high in quercetin, such as onions, and having a lower chance of developing Alzheimer’s.

8. Great Source of Vitamin C

Did you know that onions contain a high amount of vitamin C? Vitamin C is essential for your body to function properly. It helps the formation of blood vessels, improves your immune system, and builds cartilage.

9. Supports Bone Health

Studies have proven that onions improve bone density in some people. As a result, the consumption of onions may help strengthen the bones and reduce risk of fractures for people over the age of 50.

10. Antibacterial

The antibacterial properties of Allicin in onions help the colon fight off harmful bacteria. Allicin is the compound that gives off the unique strong smell of an onion. You can think of Allicin as your fighter against toxins and sicknesses. Now that’s something to cry happy tears about!

After reading about the ten health benefits that onions provide, you may be wondering how you can add more onions to your daily diet. A simple and quick way to start consuming more onions is using Spice World Easy Onion! You no longer have to deal with the hassle of peeling and chopping onions as your eyes well up with tears. All you need to do is squeeze the bottle for minced onions in an instant. It doesn’t get easier than that!

If you would like to learn more about Spice World’s new onion product and reap the benefits of incorporating more onions in your meals, visit us online for recipes and tips on how to add onion to your weekly meals.

Onion Nutritional Facts

Now that you understand the delicious health benefits of onion, let’s dig into onion nutrition and see how each onion’s nutrition facts differ.. Common onion varieties are red, white, and yellow, with each type of onion containing mostly water, carbohydrates, and fiber. Onions are also a great source of important vitamins like iron, calcium, and vitamin B6!

Here are some nutritional value estimates you can expect from a regular-sized onion (about 110g), according to the USDA: