White Onion – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

08/29/2017 / By Earl Garcia

White onions are bulbous vegetables that belong to the allium plant family, which also houses shallots and scallions. White onions share all the nutritional properties and health benefits found in red onions, but are generally sweeter and less pungent than the latter. The sweetness of white onion comes from the vegetable’s higher sugar content, an article on the Health Extremist website says. According to the article, both white and red onion varieties are considered superfoods due to their strong anti-carcinogenic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.

List of known nutrients

White onions contain a vast number of important nutrients that help stave off a variety of diseases. According to the Nutrition and You website, white onions contain:

Beta-carotene
Calcium
Chromium
Copper
Flavonoids
Folates
Iron
Lutein
Magnesium
Manganese
Niacin
Pantothenic Acid
Phosphorus
Potassium
Protein
Pyridoxine
Quercetin
Riboflavin
Sodium
Sulfur
Thiamin
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Zeaxanthin
Zinc

Medicinal uses for white onion

White onions are an excellent source of quercetin, an anti-inflammatory compound that possesses anti-cancer properties. According to a Bold Sky article, white onion consumption may help mitigate the risk of developing certain cancers.

White onions are also touted for their potent effects on the heart and the blood’s overall circulation. The superfoods contain high levels of flavonoids and sulfur that carry anticoagulant properties. Eating white onions may effectively thin the blood and prevent the onset of potentially hazardous blood clots.

The bulbous vegetables are touted to fortify the respiratory tract and bolster the body’s overall immunity. An entry posted on the Asia Net India website notes that white onion is an excellent source of sulfur, which contains potent anti-inflammatory properties. The high sulfur content in white onions helps relieve asthma and mitigates the onset of allergic reactions. White onions are shown to stave off colds as well.

People at risk of diabetes and those who already have the disease may reap benefits from consuming white onions. The pungent vegetables are packed with chromium and sulfur that help reduce and regulate the body’s blood sugar levels. White onions are also touted to promote healthy digestion and mitigate diarrhea and gastric ulcers.

Likewise, white onions are known to promote bone health and improve bone strength, especially among older women. The superfoods are also loaded with iron and folic acid that prevent the onset of birth defects during pregnancy. White onions have long been used as a remedy to infertility as well.

Furthermore, white onions are found to improve the duration and quality of sleep. The bulbous vegetables are also valued for their beneficial effects on both the skin and hair.

Body systems supported by white onion

White onions protect the heart and improve the body’s overall circulation. The pungent food fare also helps alleviate respiratory tract issues and boost the immune system. The superfoods also help maintain a healthy digestive tract, enhance bone integrity, and promote women’s health. White onions also support the skin, hair, and the nervous system.

Ways to use white onion

White onions can be used in the same manner as red and yellow varieties. The superfood can be tossed in salads, sautes, soups, and other savory dishes. An article posted on the Daily Mail website features a recipe for the perfect white onion soup. Likewise, a BBC Good Food entry features various interesting white onion recipes such as onion rings, pizza, and gravy.