Yellow onions are full of flavor and most commonly used in cooking. These onions turn a rich, caramel color when cooked and give off a sweet and tangy sweet flavor. Red onions are known for their beautiful color, and despite their name actually have bright purple skin. They are typically consumed fresh and a great choice for grilling and roasting. White onions are often used in sauces and tend to have a light golden color and sweet flavor when sautéed.

Onions are a part of the allium genus plants that also includes garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives. These vegetables contain several vitamins and minerals and that have been shown to promote health in many ways. In ancient times, onions were used for consumption when food sources got low, and for medicinal purposes to treat ailments such as headaches, colds, and heart disease.

Heart Health

Onions contain anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the onset of high blood pressure. One of powerful antioxidants that is responsible for this health benefit is quercetin. Quercetin is a flavonoid antioxidant that has been associated with decreasing the risk of heart disease

Animal research also found that onions can act as a natural blood thinner and help to prevent blood platelets from clotting. This can help to lower and reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Antibacterial Properties

For centuries, onions have been used to fight off dangerous bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Quercetin, the flavonoid antioxidant found in onions, is responsible for this bacteria-fighting benefit. According to recent studies, the growth of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were inhibited when they were paired with quercetin extracted from yellow onions. Old folk myths took these antibacterial properties a step further, and claimed that putting onions in your socks may help to fight off infections such as the common cold and flu. These myths also encouraged others to place sliced onions around their homes to absorb toxins. While these myths may not pose any harm if you decided to try them, other than some stinky feet, further research is needed to determine if there is a valid correlation.

Regulating Blood Sugar

Wanting to regulate your blood sugar? Eat an onion. Well, maybe not a whole onion at one sitting, but definitely try adding them to your next recipe. Research indicates that onions may help people with diabetes lower their blood sugar. This is due to the sulfur compounds found in onions, specifically S-methylcysteine and quercetin. These compounds have been associated with decreasing the levels of blood glucose, serum lipids, oxidative stress levels, as well as increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and insulin secretion.