Onions belong to the Allium genus family. It can be used to prepare so many dishes thereby making it a staple in kitchens around the world as it serves as flavour. It can be taken raw or cooked. Although very common and can be gotten easily, onions contain various vitamins, minerals, and other powerful compounds.

The popular benefit belief in taking onions is that it helps the eyes. However, here you’ll find shocking health benefits that can be derived from taking onions. If you do take it before now, you may want to increase your intake as the benefits will wow you.

1. Contains antioxidants:

Onions are a good source of antioxidants. It is on record that they contain over 25 different varieties of flavonoid antioxidants. They therefore help prevent cellular damage and fight against oxidative stress.

2. Improves heart health:

Due to the antioxidants in onions that help fight inflammation, decrease triglycerides and reduce cholesterol levels, onions is beneficial in reducing heart disease risks such as high blood pressure and can also protect against blood clot.

3. Helps combat cancer:

Onions contain sulfur compounds such as Onionin A, and flavonoid antioxidants such as fisetin and quercetin which help in combating cancer especially stomach and colorectal cancer as these compounds help inhibit tumour growth.

4. Controls blood sugar:

Multiple animal studies have shown that onion consumption may control blood sugar levels as quercetin and some sulfur compounds in onions possess antidiabetic effects. For instance, quercetin is said to interact with cells in the small intestine, pancreas, skeletal muscle, fat tissue and liver to control whole body blood sugar regulation.

5. Improves digestive health:

Onions are also a rich source of fiber and prebiotics which improves gut health, boost immunity, reduce inflammation and enhance digestion. Prebiotics are non digestible types of fiber that are broken down by beneficial gut bacteria. The consumption also help increase the number of friendly bacteria in the gut and improve immune function.

6. Boosts bone density:

Studies show that consuming onions can help support strong bones. This is because consuming onions help reduce oxidative stress, boost antioxidant levels, decrease bone loss thereby preventing osteoporosis and boosting bone density.

7. Contains antibacterial properties:

Onions also help inhibit the growth of potentially harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and others by damaging the cell walls and membranes.