The Incredible Health Benefits of Onions
By Sara Butler
You’re about ready to learn some things about onions that can inspire happy tears! All types of onions are good for you and have some rather impressive health benefits to boot. In fact, onions have been used for thousands of years by humans and were once worshipped in ancient Egypt, used as currency in the Middle Ages, and were even given as gifts. Here are just a few of the ways onions can benefit your health -- but we wouldn’t suggest trying to pay for anything with them.
They’ve Got Antioxidants
Onions aren’t overflowing with minerals and vitamins, but they are full of important antioxidants your body needs to be healthy. One antioxidant worth noting is quercetin, an anti-inflammatory compound that onions are positively chock-full of!
These antioxidants may help to protect you from different types of cancer. Researchers found that in countries where people have a diet high in onions and garlic, there was a link between onions (and other vegetables it’s related to, such as garlic) and the risk of cancer. In fact, the more garlic and onions are eaten, the lower the cancer rate. That’s worth some potent breath!
They Improve Bone Density
Studies have also found a link between bone density in women over 50 and onion consumption. It seems that women who ate onions frequently had decreased risk of hip fracture and better bone density than women who didn’t eat onions.
They Support a Healthy Digestive System
Onions are also full of fiber, specifically a type of fiber called inulin, which also happens to contain a prebiotic. That means that they help keep the beneficial microbes that call your gut home happy and in balance. Inulin has also been found to help improve blood sugar levels, support a healthy weight, and boost the number of nutrients you absorb. All that from one little onion!
Reap the Benefits
In order to get some of these awesome health benefits from onions, eat the onion rainbow. You can cook them or eat them raw, but try as many different types as you can. If slicing them makes you cry, then you can try to do it under running water or near an open window or vent. You can also get some goggles! Just make sure to avoid touching your face before you’ve washed your hands!
The moral of this nutritious story? When in doubt, add some onion to it!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lynnwood, Wash.