Eating raw onion as a salad is a part of a lot of famous cuisines around the world. Onions come in a variety of forms and the most popular ones include yellow, white and red. Some people cannot eat their food without having some onions on the side, whereas some people have an aversion to raw onions because of their pungent smell. You will be surprised to know that raw onions have a multitude of health benefits and are extremely nutritious for our bodies. Let's have a look at the benefits of eating raw onions as a salad.
Also Read: Raw Onion Chutney Recipe
* Improves Cardiovascular Health
Onions have a lot of antioxidants like quercetin which helps in decreasing the cholesterol levels in the body. Low cholesterol levels in the body automatically contribute towards better heart health. Also eating raw onions will improve your blood circulation and reduce problems like high blood pressure. All of these factors improve the overall health of the heart.
* Boosts Immunity
If you want to include food rich in vitamin C in your diet then eating raw onions can be an extremely beneficial option for your health. Raw onions are a great source of vitamin C and help in building the immunity of the body. It also helps in the generation of white blood cells that increase the internal immunity of the body. Your body will be able to fight against bacterial and viral diseases. It is also very beneficial in preventing any seasonal health problems like colds and flu.
* Helps In Digestion
Consumption of raw onions regularly also helps in the proper digestion of the food and elimination of unnecessary things from the body. The fibre in onions helps in better absorption of all the nutrients that you get from your food and relieves you from problems like constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. Overall, you will see better gut health. You can pair it up with other salads like cucumber and carrots for more visible health benefits.
* Reduces Inflammation
Raw onions also have antioxidants that cure inflammatory-related problems in the body. Raw onions help in keeping the inflammation levels in the body under control. It also helps in managing other problems like asthma, bronchitis and arthritis. So it is an appropriate way to cure any problems in your body related to inflammation and discomfort.
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* Boosts The Brain Function
Many people don't know this, but onions are also an excellent source of improving brain health. This is because onions contain sulphur-rich compounds that can automatically enhance the production of more neurotransmitters in the brain. You will see a better memory, attention span and concentration levels. But remember that this can happen only when you consume a considerable amount of onions regularly.
* Prevents Cancer
As we already know, raw onions contain sulphur rich compounds and a lot of other antioxidants. These compounds in antioxidants other than performing a lot of functions also contribute towards providing immunity to our body from any type of cancer. The sulphur-rich compounds present in raw onions, including quercetin, flavonoids and allicin have properties that can provide an effective shield to the body against cancer. It also prevents the growth of cancer cells in the body.
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* Better Skin
If you want to improve the health of your skin through natural sources then eating raw onions can bring significant changes. Onions are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C both of which are extremely beneficial for the health of the skin. It helps in reducing dark spots, pigmentation and wrinkles. Vitamin C increases the hydration levels in the skin and makes it more glowing and plump.
* Controls Blood Sugar Levels
Raw onions also help in controlling blood sugar levels in the body. Raw onions have chromium in a considerable quantity which is a mineral that controls the sugar levels in the body. It also improves the insulin efficiency in the body which further controls the blood sugar levels. The risk of diabetes is thereby reduced. If you have a higher-than-normal level of sugar, then consuming raw onions with all of your meals can be a great option.
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* Promotes Faster Metabolism
Raw onions are very fibrous and low in calories. Anything fibrous is easily digested by the body and because of fewer calories, it does not contribute towards weight gain. Pairing raw onions with your meal will improve the digestion levels in your body and will make you full even after eating a small proportion of food. This way you can avoid overeating and remain satisfied even if you are trying to cut some calories.
* Improves Bone Health
Raw onions also help in improving the strength of the bones as they are an excellent source of sulphur. Raw onions also promote better calcium absorption. Eating raw onion can very much contribute towards better bone health and absorption of calcium in the body.
These are some of the top benefits of eating raw onions in your diet. The only downfall of eating raw onions is the pungent smell that it leaves which eventually gives you bad breath. You can avoid this by eating a mouth freshener or some fennel seeds.