10 Benefits of Red Onions and How To Use Them

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red onions

10 Benefits of Red Onions and How to Use 

Onions are one of the most popular vegetables worldwide.  While most children dislike their pungent and bity flavor, most adults embrace and use them regularly.   Red onions contain twice as many antioxidants as any other form of onion making them a powerful part of an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle.  This article will go over 10 benefits of red onions and how to use them to get the best results.

Red onions get their bite from the many sulfur groups they contain.   These sulfur groups include the diallyl sulfides:  DMS, DDS, DTS & DTTS.   These sulfur groups help produce cysteine within the body that aids in weight loss, detoxification and cancer prevention (1, 2).  Additional research has shown that sulfur compounds have a strong antioxidant capacity that inhibits blood cell clumping (3).

The sulfur compounds in red onions also lower LDL cholesterol & triglycerides while boosting HDL levels (4).  They are associated with improving cell membrane function in red blood cells and improving oxygen utilization.  This improves cardiovascular function as well as fat metabolism.

onions

Rich in Antioxidant Phytonutrients

Red onions are also a rich source of the flavonoid antioxidant quercetin and the polyphenol antioxidant anthocyanin.  These antioxidants prevent the oxidation of dietary and cellular fatty acids.  They are very powerful free radical scavengers that neutralize cancer cell growth and dramatically reduce whole body inflammation (5, 6).

Many believe that consuming quercetin from onions is more effective than taking quercetin extracts in supplement form.  The body is able to better recognize the nutrient when it is in a natural form and has other synergistic components associated with it.

Red Onions are Rich in Chromium:

Red onions are also a fantastic source of chromium which lowers blood sugar and enhances cellular insulin sensitivity.    Nearly 50% of the US population is deficient in chromium which is greater than any other developed nation (7).  This is due to over cropping that has stripped the land of chromium and processed food consumption.  Chromium deficiencies lead to diabetes and heart disease.

The antioxidant flavonoids are extremely rich in the outer layers of the onion.  Many people will peel off the first few layers and lose much of these critical nutrients.  Be sure to utilize the outer, fleshy edible portions as much as possible.  Over peeling, by taking off the outer 2 layers of flesh will cost one about 20% of its quercetin and over 75% of its anthocyanins.

red onions

How Many Red Onions to Eat?

Simmering onions in a soup or broth will damage some of the anthocyanins but not the quercetin.  The quercetin moves into the soup or broth.  The lower the heat the more nutrients will be contained in the soup or broth.  Studies have shown that 4-7 servings of red onions each week (equivalent to about 2-3 onions) has been associated with the greatest benefit in reducing colorectal, oral, laryngeal, esophageal & ovarian cancer (8).

Red onions should be stored in a cool, dry area with good airflow.  Until they are opened they should not be stored in a refrigerator or plastic bag as both of these have been shown to speed up spoilage.  Once opened, it is best to store in refrigeration.  Avoid any onions that are wet, soft, bruised or have dark spots or mold on them.

Frequently Asked Questions With Onions:

1.  Do I Need to Purchase Organic Onions?  

Because onions are covered in a thin skin and are very sharp and pungent they repel pests.  They are not highly sprayed with toxic herbicides and pesticides and therefore can be purchased non-organic without significant risk for toxic chemical exposure.

2.  How Do I Reduce the Effect Onions Have on My Breath?

You can reduce the negative effects onions and other sulfur rich foods (garlic, shallots, radishes) have on your breath by consuming green veggies, bitter herbs such as dandelion, parsley or cilantro and herbs such as rosemary, fennel and peppermint.

I often advise my clients to consume parsley or make a green drink on days when you are consuming a lot of raw onion.

3.  Do I Get the Same Benefits from Cooked Onions as I Do with Raw Onions?

No, you will certainly lose much of the nutrient content but you will still get some of the benefits so it is better to consume cooked onions than no onions at all.

4.  What if Onions Give Me Gas When I Eat Them?

Onions have very healthy polyphenols (quercetin) that help to improve the make up of our gut microflora.  For most individuals, they are extremely good for the gut microbiome.  However, they also contain fructan sugars that are part of the FODMAP group.  Some individuals with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and other digestive issues can struggle to digest these sugars.  This can lead to gas and bloating.

If you notice gas, bloating, cramping when consuming onions than take them out of your diet and follow a low FODMAP diet for a period of time while you work to heal your gut.

5.  Do Vidalia Onions and White Onions Have the Same Benefits as Red Onions?

The vidalia and white onions are very healthy as they do contain the sulfur compounds, quercetin and chromium.  However, red onions are the only onions that have anthocyanins and therefore they are more nutrient dense than any other form of onion.

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Sources For This Article Include:

1. Munday R, Munday CM. Relative activities of organosulfur compounds derived from onions and garlic in increasing tissue activities of quinone reductase and glutathione transferase in rat tissues. Nutr Cancer. 2001;40(2):205-10. PMID: 11962257
2. Fukushima S, Takada N, Hori T, Wanibuchi H. Cancer prevention by organosulfur compounds from garlic and onion. J Cell Biochem Suppl. 1997;27:100-5. PMID: 9591199
3. Vazquez-Prieto MA, Miatello RM. Organosulfur compounds and cardiovascular disease. Mol Aspects Med. 2010 Dec;31(6):540-5. PMID: 20940019
4. Yeh YY, Liu L. Cholesterol-lowering effect of garlic extracts and organosulfur compounds: human and animal studies. J Nutr. 2001 Mar;131(3s):989S-93S. PMID: 11238803
5. Sak K. Site-specific anticancer effects of dietary flavonoid quercetin. Nutr Cancer. 2014;66(2):177-93. PMID: 24377461
6. Wang LS, Stoner GD. Anthocyanins and their role in cancer prevention. Cancer Lett. 2008 Oct 8;269(2):281-90. PMID: 18571839
7. Cefalu WT, Hu FB. Role of chromium in human health and in diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2004 Nov;27(11):2741-51. Erratum in: Diabetes Care. 2013 Sep;36(9):2872. PMID: 1550501
8. Galeone C, Pelucchi C, Levi F, Negri E, Franceschi S, Talamini R, Giacosa A, La Vecchia C. Onion and garlic use and human cancer. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Nov;84(5):1027-32. PMID: 17093154

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  1. I’d like to set an appointment so I can get my health back on track. I’m 55 1/2, 305 lbs., 5’10”. I’m insulin dependent type 2, on insulin now for 3-4 years. Also have high BP, ED, and low HDL (low 40’s). Very sedentary life style, even though i was an athlete in HS and college. I’m a salesman, I drive a lot, visit customers, take them to eat, stay in hotels. Genetics are Native and African American. Many obese ancestors, who lived to old age. Chemical Engineer and Chemist by education. I need an an overview and a strategy to turn my health around. Heard you on the radio today, 970 AM, and you make a lot of sense.

    Ron
    Marietta

  2. Hi Dr Jockers,

    Loving all your posts and articles, always very informative..

    I have an issue with onions whereby I actually swell up, my joints get sore and swollen, any ideas as to why this might be? It contradicts the anti-inflammatory aspect of this veg?

    Be great to hear your thoughts on this

    All the best.

    1. Yes, some people have unique food sensitivities to foods like onions. In your case, you have either an extreme sensitivity or a full-blown allergy to the onions. This is causing your problems. Best to avoid. Blessings!

  3. Please Dr.
    I have a very stubborn fat that I have been trying to lose weight for years now but have not I achieve anything. What will I do to lose weight? I need your help please. Rose M.

  4. Hi doctor I have a vascular necrosis in my hip and I just have a baby I will love to lose some weight while I am breastfeeding could you please help me

  5. Hi, doctor. I’ve been suffering from gastritis and ovarian cyst for a month now. Please advice me on the type of vegetables I should use to help me recover.

  6. Hello Dr.

    I am a diabetic, but, refuse to take metformin or any other medication for fear of what the medicine will affect some of my organs. I have a relative who told me her husband eats whole red onions, he is in his early 70s and he is much more active than she is. When she told me this, I have started eating red onions myself to kind of help with my glucose. I am hoping this will help me with my glucose. It is somewhere around
    199-215.

    Thank you,

    Liz

  7. Hello Dr.
    My lungs have been infiltrated due to coronavirus attack. What can I do to get them repaired?

  8. Hello Dr.,
    Great advice. I am happy to have read your article & realize I’m inline with your teachings.
    (as per onions) Look forward to reading/ listening to other healthy suggestions 🙂

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