Onion is one of the most common and important ingredients used in a lot of recipes, especially in the Indian subcontinent. It is not only a wonderful spicy ingredient, but it also consists of plenty of Health benefits as well. Member of the Allium genus, onion contains numerous vitamins, minerals and healthy plant compounds that can promote your health in multiple ways.

Medicinal properties of onion are known since ancient times when it was used to treat a variety of conditions including headaches, soreness of the mouth, mouth ulcers, and even certain health ailments. Here are a few major health benefits of Onions, so that you can get the best of this common but very useful ingredient.

#1 May benefit your heart health:

There
are numerous antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in onions. These
medicinal properties can reduce high triglycerides and cholesterol levels, both
of which are responsible for minor to major health complications.

Anti-inflammatory properties of onions can even control the high blood pressure and can protect your blood from unwanted clotting. Quercetin is one of the major compounds of onions. It works as a potent anti-inflammatory agent and can be greatly helpful to reduce the risk factors of heart diseases like heart attack and high blood pressure.

#2 Onions contain cancer-fighting compounds

Most
of the vegetables of allium genus including onions, garlic, chives, shallots,
and leeks etc. are known for lowering the risk of various cancers, markedly the
stomach and colorectal cancers.

Numerous
studies suggest that people eating a high amount of allium vegetables are less
likely to develop stomach cancer than those who consume least or no allium
vegetables. Similarly, people taking a high amount of allium vegetables are
less prone to develop colorectal cancer in comparison to those who don’t use
them in their recipes.

Onionin A, the Sulphur-containing compound of onion can even inhibit the development of the tumor and can slow down the spread of lung and ovarian cancer. Other compounds of onion-like quercetin and fisetin are also associated with inhibiting the growth of different types of tumors.

#3 Controls blood-sugar level

According
to various health researches, onions are also responsible for maintaining blood
sugar level in your body. Sometimes, physicians even suggest onion to the
people with prediabetes and diabetes.

Compounds of onions majorly sulfur and quercetin contain anti-diabetic properties and can reduce the high blood-sugar level to normal. Quercetin is known for its actions on various organs including skeletal muscles, small intestine, pancreas, fat tissues, and liver and controls the blood-sugar levels of the whole body.

#4 An excellent skin exfoliator:

When
it comes to skin benefits of onion, it works very strongly as an exfoliator.
Onion can remove the dead cells from your skin and can bring back its natural
glow. It is also a great natural scrub and is capable of eliminating the dead
and dry cells of the skin and can certainly improve the inner glow.

There
are numerous antioxidants like Vitamin E and Vitamin C in onions. Both of these
antioxidants can fight free radicals. They fight and stop them from causing the
oxidative damage to the skin. By doing so, they do not only reduce the risk of
skin cancer, but they also prevent the features of premature ageing like
wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, age spots, and skin blemishes etc.

With the action of numerous other nutrients like vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and flavonoids etc. onion plays a key role to keep the skin healthy. Onions provide proper nourishment to skin and keep it soft and supple. It also improves the skin pigmentation and keeps it radiant.

#5 An excellent tonic for hair growth:

If
you are concerned with constant hair-fall, you can rely on onions for strong
and dense hairs as well. Onions aid hair growth by increasing the levels of the
antioxidant enzyme, catalase. The enzyme also aids the decomposition of
hydrogen peroxide and optimizes the cycles of hair growth.

Bottom line:

Onion
is not only a spicy ingredient used in a lot of recipes; it contains a variety
of health benefits as well. The nutrient-packed onion with a wide range of
health benefits can help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You can add more
onions to your diet, not only for spicy and tasty foods but for maintaining
your overall health as well.

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