While all vegetables are essential to health, some types provide specific benefits. Onions are part of the Allium flowering plant genus, which contains garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives. These vegetables contain many vitamins, minerals, and potent plant compounds that have been shown to improve well-being in several ways. The medicinal properties of onions have been known for centuries since they are used to cure symptoms such as headaches, heart disease, and sores in the mouth.
Today’s post will share the 13 powerful purple onion benefits for our health. Did you know that purple onions can cure ear disorders, promote respiratory health, and Improve Sleep? Watch till the end to find out more.
Purple Onion Benefits For Our Overall Health-2023
1. Packed with Nutrients
Onions are rich in vitamins and minerals, so they are nutrient-dense. A medium onion contains just 44 calories but contains vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This vegetable is especially rich in vitamin C, a nutrient that regulates immune health, collagen production, tissue repair, and iron absorption.
Vitamin C also serves as a potent antioxidant to shield your cells and protect them from free radicals, which are reactive chemicals that cause harm. Onions are also high in B vitamins, namely folate (B9) and pyridoxine (B6), which play a crucial role in metabolism, red blood cell development, and nerve activity.
2. May Benefit Heart Health
One of the best onion benefits is Onions are packed with antioxidants and compounds that combat inflammation, decrease triglycerides, and lower cholesterol levels—all of which can reduce the risk of cardiac disease.
Their potent anti-inflammatory properties can also help to minimize elevated blood pressure and defend against blood clots. Quercetin is a flavonoid antioxidant that is densely packed in onions. Since it is a potent anti-inflammatory medication, it can help to minimize risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure. Research in 70% of patients with elevated blood pressure showed that a daily dosage of 162 mg quercetin-rich onion extracts considerably lowered systolic blood pressure by 3–6 mmHg relative to placebo.
3. Loaded with Antioxidants
Antioxidants prevent oxidation, which induces cell destruction and leads to cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Onions are an excellent source of antioxidants. They contain more than 25 different varieties of flavonoid antioxidants. Purple onions contain anthocyanins—specific plant pigments in the flavonoid family that give a deep color to red onions. Different population studies have shown that people who eat more anthocyanin-rich foods are at a lower risk of heart disease.
4. Cure Ear Disorders
As per one study, most parents swear by onions to cure ear diseases, while research is minimal. They insist that onion juice will do a decent job of alleviating earache. One way to do this is to heat the onion, draw some juice, and add a few drops to the infected ear. And this cure, trust us, dates back to the 19th century. It will help if you put the onion in the oven at 450 degrees F.
Let it be for 15 minutes or until soft. Take the onion out – cut it in half as soon as it’s cool and press the juice into a little cup. Once the juice is strained, use a sterile dropper to pour a few drops into the infected ear.
5. Help Control Blood Sugar
Health benefits of onions Eating can help regulate blood sugar, especially for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes. An analysis of 42 people with type 2 diabetes found that consuming 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of Purple fresh onion decreased fasting blood sugar by approximately 40 mg/dl after four hours. Also, several animal tests have demonstrated that the benefits of eating onion can aid blood sugar regulation.
6. It May Boost Bone Density
Onions are healthy. While dairy products have a lot of credit for improving bone health, many other foods, including onions, can help maintain strong bones. Research in 24 middle-aged and postmenopausal women found that those who drank 3.4 ounces (100 ml) of onion juice every day for 8 weeks had increased bone mineral density and antioxidant function relative to the control group.
Another research of 507 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women showed that those who ate onions at least once a day had a 5 percent higher average bone density than those who ate them for less than a month.
7. Have Antibacterial Properties
Onions can battle and kill potentially harmful ions and fight and eliminate potentially hazardous ones. Coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus are examples of bacteria. (S. aureus), and Bacillus cereus. Besides, onion extract has been shown to prevent the development of Vibrio cholera, a bacterium that is a significant public health issue in the developing world. Quercetin obtained from onions tends to be an incredibly effective way to combat bacteria.
8. Boost Digestive Health
Onions are a naturally rich source of fiber and prebiotics that are important for optimum intestinal health. Prebiotics are non-digestible forms of fiber that are broken down by helpful intestinal bacteria. Gut bacteria rely on prebiotics and develop short-chain fatty acids—including Butyrate, acetate, and propionate. According to research, these short-chain fatty acids improve the health of the intestines, increase immunity, decrease inflammation, and increase digestion.
9. Easy to Add to Your Diet
Onions are a favorite of kitchens all over the world. They add flavor to tasty dishes and can be eaten raw or baked. Not to mention that they will improve the consumption of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. You can add onions to your diet by Using raw onions to add flavor to your guacamole recipe. Apply the caramelized onion to the savory baked goods, or mix the fried onions with other vegetables for a balanced side dish.
10. Improves Immune system
Polyphenols in onions are potent antioxidants to protect the body against free radicals. Removing free radicals can help to maintain a healthy immune system. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that onion quercetin prevents allergic reactions by preventing your body from developing histamine, making you sneeze, cry and itch whenever you have an allergic reaction.
11. Contain Cancer-Fighting Compounds
Consuming Allium vegetables like garlic and onions has been related to a decreased risk of some malignancies. Including stomach and colorectal. An analysis of 26 studies found that people who ate the most significant amount of allium vegetables were 22 % less likely to have stomach cancer than those who consumed the least amount of allium vegetables.
Also, a study of 16 trials in 13,333 people found that subjects with the highest onion intake had a 15% decreased risk of colorectal cancer relative to those with the lowest intake. These cancer-fighting effects have been correlated with the Sulphur compounds and flavonoid antioxidants in allium vegetables.
12. Promote Respiratory Health
According to an American study, it may benefit patients with respiratory problems such as asthma and allergic rhinitis from certain fruits and vegetables, one of which is onions. The anti-inflammatory properties of onions can also help soothe respiratory diseases. If you have respiratory disease, you should quickly use onions in your diet (in addition to your medication) for immediate relief.
13. Improve Sleep
According to a report, onions contain prebiotics which can enhance Sleep and reduce stress. When beneficial bacteria in the intestine digest prebiotic fiber, they replicate and enhance intestinal health and, most specifically, release metabolic byproducts. These byproducts can affect brain activity and trigger Sleep.
Nutrition
Nutrients Per Serving
A ½ -cup serving of chopped, raw white onion contains:
- Calories: 32
- Carbohydrates: 7 grams
- Protein: 1 gram
- Fat: 0 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Sugar: 3 grams
Onions are also a good source of:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B6
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Copper
Bottom Line
The health benefits associated with onions are very remarkable. These nutrient-packed vegetables contain potent compounds that can reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers. Onions have antibacterial properties and support digestive well-being, which can enhance their immune system. What’s more, they are flexible and can be used to improve food taste. Using more onions in your diet is a simple way to boost your general well-being.
