Onion

Onion Onion (Allium Cepa Bulb) is among the most consumed vegetables globally. It is consumed in different ways: fresh, cooked, fried, and more. Onion Powder is frequently used to enhance the flavour of various prefabricated foods.

However, Onion or its extract also has a long history of use for managing health conditions. Onion appears to have been first used as food in Central Asia, but now it is grown everywhere.

Modern science shows this bulb, known as Onion, has many bioactive compounds like organosulfur, flavonols, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), prebiotics, and much more. All these bioactive compounds make it a potent antioxidant, and it is suitable for boosting immunity and reducing the risk of seasonal ailments including the common cold and influenza.¹

Health Benefits of Onion

Onion is frequently used as a health supplement, as it’s powdered form is richer in bioactive compounds than fresh vegetables. This is due to its reduced moisture content, which allows greater amounts to be taken.

Anti-inflammatory Action

Modern scientific studies show that Onion can reduce the production of specific cytokines, hence helping reduce inflammation. It may also reduce the production of various inflammatory markers like specific prostaglandins. All this means that it can be quite good for modulating immunity and reducing inflammation.²
Antimicrobial Properties

Onion is rich in chemicals like allicin, quercetin, and thiosulfates, which are known to have a direct impact on the virulence of various microbes. It is good for suppressing viral infection through immune modulation. Further, bioactive compounds in Onion may directly prohibit the growth of various bacteria, preventing some of the severe infections and helping fight antibiotic resistance.³

Immune Modulation

There is a reason why Onion is widely used to prevent seasonal ailments, including cold and flu. Studies show that it can modulate immunity. It is rich in quercetin and thus can increase the production of chemicals that help defend the body while reducing the production of harmful, inflammatory chemicals.²

Digestive Health

Onion is an excellent source of prebiotics; thus, it can increase the production of short-chain fatty acids and hence boost immunity. It may even help those with irritable bowel disease, food intolerances, and inflammatory bowel disease.⁴

Respiratory System Protection

Onion is good for preventing and reducing the severity of symptoms of respiratory conditions. It can lower inflammation, relax the airway, and help you breathe better. It also has antiviral properties. It is often recommended to consume higher amounts of Onion during outbreaks of respiratory infections. However, it is worth understanding that Onion is also good for non-infectious conditions like allergies and asthma.⁵

Cardiovascular Health

Onion is quite good for heart health. It can boost cardiovascular health in multiple ways. It can lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure, help reduce insulin resistance assisting people with dieabetes, and more. Studies show that regular intake of Onion Powder is beneficial.⁶

Onion Side Effects

Of course, Onion is quite safe for daily use. However, here we are talking about Onion Powder, which is a little different. Fortunately, few animal studies show that Onion Powder is also quite safe and does not cause any side effects, except heartburn in some, if consumed in massive amounts.⁶

Properties

Allergies⁵
Antibiotic Resistance³
Anti-Inflammatory² ⁵
Antimicrobial³
Antioxidant¹
Antiviral³ ⁵
Asthma⁵
Breathing Difficulties⁵
Cardiovascular Support⁶
Cholesterol⁶
Cold Symptom Reduction¹^,²
Diabetes / Blood Sugar⁶
High in / Good Levels of Flavonoids¹
High in / Good Levels of Quercetin²^,³
High in / Good Levels of Vitamin C¹
Immune Booster¹^,²
Influenza Symptom Reduction¹
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Phytoestrogenic¹^,⁴
Respiratory Support⁵

References:

Zhao XX, Lin FJ, Li H, Li HB, Wu DT, Geng F, et al. Recent Advances in Bioactive Compounds, Health Functions, and Safety Concerns of Onion (Allium cepa L.). Front Nutr [Internet]. 2021 Jul 22 [cited 2024 Oct 21];8. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2021.669805/full
Marefati N, Ghorani V, Shakeri F, Boskabady M, Kianian F, Rezaee R, et al. A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents. Pharmaceutical Biology. 2021 Feb 28;59(1):285.
Sagar NA, Pareek S. Antimicrobial assessment of polyphenolic extracts from onion (Allium cepa L.) skin of fifteen cultivars by sonication-assisted extraction method. Heliyon. 2020 Nov 12;6(11):e05478.
Sangpreecha N, Chanmuang S, Park KH, Sangar M, Sharma D, Song D, et al. Effects of Fermented Onion on Gut Health in Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-Induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Rats. Applied Sciences. 2023 Jan;13(3):1590.
García-García J, Gracián C, Baños A, Guillamón E, Gálvez J, Rodriguez-Nogales A, et al. Beneficial Effects of Daily Consumption of Garlic and Onion Extract Concentrate on Infectious Respiratory Diseases in Elderly Resident Volunteers. Nutrients. 2023 Jan;15(10):2308.
Galavi A, Hosseinzadeh H, Razavi BM. The effects of Allium cepa L. (onion) and its active constituents on metabolic syndrome: A review. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2021 Jan;24(1):3.