Onion: Experts weigh in on health benefits, nutrition facts, and more

 

Benefits by Leticia Soares

• Onion helps in the treatment of dyslipidemia. Onion is a source of saponins, which is a substance that have hypolipidemic properties. Saponins can reduce cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels.
• Onion can help lower blood pressure. Onions are high in antioxidants and quercetin, which is a polyphenol that may prevent cardiovascular disease due to its antihypertensive and vasorelaxant properties.
• Onion regular consumption may boost your immune system. The vegetable is a source of quercetin, anthocyanins, vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, which help fight inflammation and infections.
• Onions help to prevent premature aging. Onions are high in antioxidants, which protect the cells from damage caused by free radicals.
• Onions help regulate blood sugar levels. Onions are an excellent option for diabetic patients, since the vegetable contains quercetin and sulphur compounds that have hypoglycemic properties.

Benefits by Felicitas Bouche Ocampo

• Onion is rich in dietary fiber (specifically high in fructans and frutooligosaccharides) and flavonols (as quercetin, for example), with potential benefits such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and cardioprotective effects.

Benefits by Christos Sittas

• Onion is rich in organoselenium bioactive compounds including quercetin and selenium which seem to offer to onion its protective effect against gastric and colorectal cancer. In addition, onion seems to have an anticancer effect against liver, stomach, aorta, and liver cancer (Suleria et al. 2015).

Side effects by Leticia Soares

• Onion allergy is rare, but onion intolerance is quite common, especially if it is consumed raw. The intolerance of onions symptoms is digestive discomfort such as upset stomach, heartburn and gas.

Side effects by Felicitas Bouche Ocampo

• Onion fructooligosaccharides may cause gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhea and gases with an excessive consumption or in sensitive people when it is consumed raw.

Side effects by Christos Sittas

• Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to onion consumption that may lead to hives, heartburn, difficulty in breathing, diarrhea and other symptoms.