Health Benefits of Onions: Natural Herbal Secrets from the Kitchen

Health Benefits of Onions: Natural Herbal Secrets
 from the Kitchen

Onion are ubiquitous when it comes to Indonesian cuisine. Whether it is garlic, shallots, or onions, all variants serve to spice up a dish and provide health benefits.

Onions have been a natural remedy in alternative medicine for centuries and have been used as a natural remedy for hundreds of years.

Onions have been proven to improve and boost the immune system, provide protection against diseases and infections, and help maintain a healthy heart.

Aside from being pungent, it has an active constituent of potent complex therapeutic value. Let’s discuss the various health benefits of onions in greater detail.

In 100g of onions (especially for garlic), there are 40 kcal of calories, 9g of carbohydrates, 1.1g of protein, 1.7g of fibre, 7mg of vitamin C, 0.1mg of vitamin B6, and 18mg of calcium. There is also potassium in the amount of 181mg, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron in smaller amounts.

More importantly, there are sulphur compounds like allicin which are produced when onions are cut or crushed.

Apart from being a pungent spice, onions contain an active constituent of complex powerful therapeutic value (on the body).

All parts of the onion, despite the pungent taste, provide a lot of health benefits.

💪 10 Health Benefits of Onions

1. Boosting the Immune System

Onions are known as Nature's immunity boosters. Their defensive compounds and antioxidants assist the body in fighting viruses and bacteria, and bolstering the body against illnesses like flu and cough.

Consuming boiled water added with garlic or adding garlic to your meals helps boost your immunity the natural way.

2. Reducing Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

Onions and garlic are widely known to help with heart health. Studies show that regularly eating garlic reduces high blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL- the bad cholesterol), and raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL- the good cholesterol). The heart's blood circulation improves because of sulphur and the blood clots that can lead to a stroke are prevented.

3. Controlling Blood Sugar

Onions can help diabetics with blood sugar control. Allicin and sulphur compounds improve insulin sensitivity and help in glucose metabolism as well. Hence, eating onions regularly can help control blood sugar, especially when eaten with a balanced diet

4. Preventing Infections and Inflammation

Onions have strong anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Allicin can help fight bacterial infections like E. coli and Salmonella and also helps reduce inflammation in the body.

Here’s why onions are commonly used as a natural remedy for coughs, colds, and minor wounds.

5. Heart Health

Onions are able to help with cholesterol so there is no surprise that they help prevent arteries from becoming blocked and improve blood vessel elasticity.

Line your menus with onions and your heart will love the small effort.

6. Cancer Risk Reduction

Regularly eating onions helps to reduce the risk of certain cancers, notably stomach and colon cancer, according to some studies.

The organosulphur compounds and the antioxidant quercetin help to protect DNA and stop the spread of cancer cells.

7. Bone Health

Onions are good not only for the heart but also for the bones and joints.

Important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and sulphur help to maintain bone density, which helps prevent osteoporosis, particularly in post-menopausal women.

8. Body Detox

Onions assist your body in natural detox.

Sulphur compounds help increase the production of liver detoxifying enzymes.

Onions also help remove toxins through urine with their mild diuretic effect.

9. Skin and Hair Health

Onions are loaded with antioxidants, plus vitamin C, which is necessary for collagen production.

Collagen is important for maintaining skin elasticity and hair health.

Meanwhile, some people also use onion juice to help hair growth naturally, as its sulphur content can improve blood circulation in the scalp.

10. Protecting Cells from Damage

Free radicals can damage human body cells. However, onions also contain antioxidants, such as quercetin, which can inhibit damage caused by free radicals.

By consuming onions regularly, you can help the skin rejuvenation process, reduce the risk of disease, and trick your age by giving your skin a healthy appearance.

Health Benefits of Onions: Natural Herbal Secrets
from the Kitchen

🍽️ Consuming Onions for Health Maintenance

There are several ways to consume onions, such as:

1. Eating raw onions – although pungent, raw onions contain the highest amount of allicin.

2. Boiling or roasting onions briefly – reduces the sharpness without losing nutrients.

3. Using onions as a mix with honey or lemon – can relieve coughs and boost the immune system.

4. Making onions the main seasoning in healthy dishes – such as stir-fries, soups, or less oily sambal.

⚠️ Side Effects and Safe Tips

Consuming onions can also lead to side effects such as:

• Bad breath and body odour.
• Stomach irritation.
• Increased risk of bleeding with the consumption of blood thinners.
• A safe suggestion is to limit garlic to 2–3 cloves per day and not consume it on an empty stomach for those with gastritis.
• Always process it cleanly and balance it with other foods.  

---  

🌿 Conclusion  

Onions are not just ordinary kitchen ingredients – they are natural superfoods with amazing benefits for our health.  

From heart health, controlling blood sugar, fighting infections, to strengthening the immune system – all these can be gained from these simple ingredients that we often overlook.  

Including onions in daily meals is a small step towards healthy living.  

The best health secrets are often found in our kitchen.