The benefits of white onions

Onion nutritional ingredients

A rich source of vitamin C : onions are rich in vitamin C, an important nutrient for immune system health, collagen production, tissue repair, and iron absorption.
Good source of minerals : onions contain good amounts of calcium, manganese, potassium, and selenium, as well as small amounts of iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Rich source of B vitamins : onions are a rich source of folate and vitamin B5, which play a key role in metabolism, red blood cell production, and nerve function.
A rich source of antioxidants : onions are a rich source of a variety of phytochemical compounds, in particular quercetin, which can help get rid of harmful free radicals and reduce the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL), which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The benefits of onions by degree of effectiveness

Insufficient evidence of its effectiveness

Onions provide several benefits, but they are still uncertain and need more studies to prove their effectiveness, as follows :

Help lower blood sugar levels : eating onions can help lower blood sugar levels, which is important for people with diabetes, and the state of prediabetes, and a comprehensive analysis of a group of studies conducted on mice published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2009 indicated that onion extract, or one of the active compounds in it, can affect the reduction of blood sugar levels and body weight. It should be noted that diabetics should carefully check their sugar levels if onions are used in large quantities for medicinal purposes.
Help lower blood pressure : a review published in the journal Molecules in 2019 indicated that quercetin in onion peel has hypotensive-lowering properties when extracted and used as a dietary supplement, and another study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2015 indicated that quercetin supplements in onion peel extract lowered blood pressure in people with blood pressure, suggesting that quercetin may have heart-bent effects, but the mechanisms of action of this compound remain unclear.
Reduce the risk of atherosclerosis : an animal study published in the Japanese Heart Journal indicated that the group that ate a cholesterol-rich diet with onion juice showed a reduction in signs of atherosclerosis compared to the group that ate a cholesterol-rich diet without onion juice.
Other benefits : onions may be useful in some other cases, but there is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in this, and we mention these benefits as follows :
- Relieve asthma.
- Relieve bronchitis.
- Relieve stomach upset.
- Relieve fever.
- Relieve colds.
- Relieve cough.
- Relieve inflammation of the swelling of the mouth and throat.
- Wound healing.
- Improve anorexia.

Damage to white onions

The degree of safety of white onions

Onions are often safe when consumed in moderate amounts in food, and it is likely safe to take onion extract for most people, as it can be said that eating up to 900 milligrams of onion extract for 12 weeks is safe, but eating it may cause some side effects, such as : Feeling pain or discomfort in the stomach, As for pregnant and lactating women, there is no reliable and sufficient information about the safety of taking onions in pharmaceutical doses during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it is recommended to avoid using onions in larger quantities than usual in these two periods.

Caveats for the use of white onions

Some people should take caution when consuming onions, to avoid possible side effects, and we mention the following :

People with bleeding disorders : onions can increase the risk of bleeding when taken as medicine, so people with bleeding disorders are advised to avoid using them in medicinal quantities or using onion extract.
Diabetics : onions can reduce blood sugar levels, so people with diabetes are advised to check their sugar carefully if onions are used in medicinal quantities.
People with irritable bowel syndrome : onions contain fructans, so it may cause abdominal pain, bloating, and gas, and people who follow a diet low in FODMAP, which is used to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, should pay attention when eating onions to avoid these side effects.
People who suffer from onion intolerance : onion intolerance is relatively rare, but the inability to tolerate raw onions is fairly common, and the symptoms of this condition include digestive upset, such as stomach upset, heartburn, and gas, and some people can suffer from allergic reactions to touching onions, whether they have onion allergy or not.
People who will undergo surgery : onions can slow the blood clotting process and lower blood sugar levels, so it is possible that onions increase the risk of bleeding, or interfere with controlling blood sugar levels during and after surgeries, so it is recommended to stop using onions as a medicine at least two weeks before the scheduled surgery date.

Interactions with onions

Onions may interact with some types of medications, causing some health problems, including the following :

Aspirin : Aspirin may increase sensitivity to onions in people with onion allergy, so these people are advised to avoid eating onions and aspirin together.
Lithium medications : onions can have a diuretic effect, so eating onions may reduce the body’s ability to get rid of lithium, which can increase the amount of lithium in the body and cause serious side effects.
Drugs that change by the liver : some drugs change and decompose by the liver, and onions can slow down the speed of their decomposition, so eating onions with these drugs can increase their effect, and increase their side effects, these drugs include : acetaminophen and chlorzoxazone.
Diabetes medications : eating onions with diabetes medications can cause blood sugar levels to drop significantly, so it is recommended to monitor blood sugar carefully, there may be a need to change the dose of diabetes medication under the supervision of a doctor, and these drugs include glimepiride and pioglitazone.
Blood-thinning medications : taking onions with medications that slow blood clotting can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding, including diclofenac and ibuprofen.

Is white onion useful for dieting ?

There is no information about the benefits of onions for dieting in particular, and it should be noted that there is no single reason for being overweight or obese, and there is no only one way to lose excess weight, but there are some simple steps that can be followed, which will lead to getting rid of excess kilograms gradually, and in a healthy way.

Overview of white onions

Onions, whose scientific name is Allium cepa L, is a perennial plant belonging to the lily family (English : Liliaceae), which includes perennial garlic, garlic, and leeks, and these types are characterized by their pungent flavor and possess some medicinal properties, and onions vary in size, shape, color, and flavor, and red, yellow, and white onions are the most common and consumed types around the world, and the taste of onions can range from sweet and juicy, to hot and pungent, depending on the season in which it grows and is consumed.