Are Purple Onions Good for You?
As it turns out, onions aren’t really anything to cry over – these savory bulbs are full of nutrients.
Bulb onions can be found in various hues of yellow, white and purple. But the difference isn’t just in their appearance and taste; one of them actually has more health benefits than the others.
Purple onions, also called red onions, not only contain a higher amount of antioxidant properties and flavonoids, which helps thin the blood, they also have quercetin, allicin and chromium in them.
Quercetin is a powerful compound that assists the body in getting rid of free radicals and lowering blood pressure, and has been shown to be beneficial for both the prevention and treatment of cancer.
A study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate a diet high in this SuperFood had a lower risk of several common cancers, including colon, breast, and prostate.
Other studies suggest that anthocyanins, which give onions their red/purple color, may play a role in reducing the risk of diabetes and dementia.
Other Health Benefits of Purple Onions
- Fighting off bacteria for good oral health
- Promoting digestive health (fiber)
- Lowering blood sugar—a compound called allyl propyl disulphide (APDS) can bring down glucose levels.
- Providing about 10 percent of the daily value for vitamin C.
- Very low in sodium, with no cholesterol or fat
- Calories: Purple onions are very low in calories; every one ounce only contains 11 calories.
So now when you’re asked, “Are purple onions good for you?”, you can answer with a resounding, “Yes!” They are truly a powerhouse for the body.
Sources: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, US National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
