Health benefits of purple onions skin#

Health benefits of purple onions skin#

The color of their skin makes a great addition to salads and salsas. Red onions are subtly sweet and mild enough to eat raw. You should eat onions raw rather than cooked to get the most sulfur compounds from them. Onions are healthy whether they're raw or cooked, though raw onions have higher levels of organic sulfur compounds that provide many benefits, Organic sulfur compounds help reduce the level of cholesterol in your body and may also help break down blood clots, lowering your risk for heart disease and stroke. Purple onions, also called red onions, offer a healthy way to give your meals more flavor and provide nutrients without adding many calories. Serve purple onions raw if you want to preserve their color, which fades during cooking. Research shows that eating onions may help reduce heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, elevated triglyceride levels and inflammation. Onions are a rich source of prebiotics, which help boost digestive health, improve bacterial balance in your gut and benefit your immune system. Multiple population studies have found that people who consume more foods rich in anthocyanins have a reduced risk of heart disease. Red onions, in particular, contain anthocyanins - special plant pigments in the flavonoid family that give red onions their deep color. In fact, they contain over 25 different varieties of flavonoid antioxidants. Onions are an excellent source of antioxidants. Onions help reduce oxidative stress, boost antioxidant levels and decrease bone loss, which may prevent osteoporosis and boost bone density.Īntioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a process that leads to cellular damage and contributes to diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Studies demonstrated that older women who most frequently ate onions decreased their risk of hip fracture by more than 20% compared to those who never ate them. Many other foods, including onions, may help support strong bones.Ī study in 24 middle-aged and postmenopausal women showed that those who consumed 3.4 ounces (100 ml) of onion juice daily for eight weeks had improved bone mineral density and antioxidant activity compared to a control group. Researchers believe that antioxidants are responsible for the cancer-fighting properties of onions. Researchers found that men who ate the most vegetables of the allium family were the least likely to have prostate cancer. Garlic extract also reduced bacteria in the mouths of human volunteers.Įating onions and garlic may reduce your risk of cancer. In one experiment, onion and garlic extracts inhibited the growth of several microbes. Onions may kill a wide range of bacteria. Specific compounds found in onions, such as quercetin and sulfur compounds, possess antidiabetic effects. Health Benefits of Purple Onion are as follow:Įating onions may help control blood sugar, which is especially significant for people with diabetes or prediabetes.Ī study in 42 people with type 2 diabetes demonstrated that eating 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of fresh red onion reduced fasting blood sugar levels by about 40 mg/dl after four hours.Īdditionally, multiple animal studies have shown that onion consumption may benefit blood sugar control. quercetin may lower blood pressure, help Control Blood Sugar and improve heart health.īesides being rich in antioxidants, onions contain a fair amount of:Ī half-cup serving of chopped red onion contains: One study shows that quercetin fights inflammation and boosts the immune system. Research shows that one particular antioxidant, called quercetin, protects health in several ways. Most of the benefits come from antioxidants. Onions are linked with many health benefits. These onions tend to be medium to large in size and have a sharp flavor and eye-watering qualities. Red onions (also known as purple onions in some European countries) are cultivars of the onion (Allium cepa), and have purplish-red skin and white flesh tinged with red.