Onion (Allium cepa) is a culinary and medicinal herb. It belongs to the Allium genus together with garlic, shallots, leeks, scallions, and chives.
It’s believed to be one of many earliest cultivated greens on the earth. In truth, it’s been utilized by the Romans, the Greeks, and plenty of different cultures for 1000’s of years as meals and as a treatment for quite a few illnesses (
What’s extra, onion’s use as an natural treatment led trendy analysis to find its many medicinal advantages. For instance, it might have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antithrombotic, anticancer, antioxidant, and heart- and liver-protective properties (
Nonetheless, regardless of this plethora of potential well being advantages, onions could trigger undesirable unwanted side effects in some individuals.
This text critiques a few of onion’s most typical potential downsides.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a situation that impacts 10–15% of the U.S. inhabitants. It’s characterised by signs like bloating, stomach ache, cramping, gasoline, generalized weak point, and irregular bowel actions various from constipation to diarrhea (
IBS remedy entails a multimodal strategy targeted on managing signs to enhance high quality of life. Dietary adjustments are a key issue (
Whereas meals are usually not thought of a explanation for IBS, they might set off its signs. Due to this fact, a low FODMAP weight-reduction plan has develop into a preferred evidence-based remedy (
“FODMAP” stands for “fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols.” These are indigestible and slowly absorbed short-chain carbohydrates which are present in sure meals and trigger discomfort in individuals with IBS (
A low FODMAP weight-reduction plan goals to keep away from meals excessive in FODMAPs and substitute them with meals low in FODMAPs to reduce intestinal swelling. Onions, garlic, shallots, legumes, coconut, and milk- and wheat-based merchandise are frequent excessive FODMAP meals (
Since onions could set off or worsen IBS signs, some individuals could must briefly or completely keep away from them.
Abstract
Onions are a excessive FODMAP meals, that means they will worsen IBS signs in some individuals.
Meals allergy symptoms happen when your immune system has an hostile response to proteins from sure meals. This immune response can have an effect on organs and programs similar to your pores and skin, intestine, coronary heart, and respiratory and nervous programs (
The commonest meals allergens for teenagers and adults are cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, soybeans, and wheat. Additional, fruit and veggies are prevalent allergens in adults (
A number of research have recognized allergic reactions to onions. Onions belong to the Liliaceae household of flowering crops, together with garlic, asparagus, and leeks (
Analysis means that allergenic cross-reactivity could happen amongst completely different Liliaceae crops in addition to grass pollens. Because of this when you’re allergic to considered one of them, you might also expertise allergic reactions to others (
Onions include compounds referred to as diallyl disulfide and lipid switch protein, which may trigger allergy signs like bronchial asthma, runny nostril, nasal congestion, purple eyes, itchy eyes and nostril, and get in touch with dermatitis, characterised by a purple, itchy rash (
In uncommon circumstances, contact dermatitis can happen when individuals merely deal with onions with out consuming them (
Abstract
Whereas it’s uncommon, some individuals could expertise allergic reactions when dealing with or ingesting onions.
When chopping onions, you’ve doubtless skilled a stinging sensation in your eyes that causes them to tear up.
Members of the Allium genus produce a sulfur metabolite referred to as lachrymatory issue (LF), which works as a chemical protection mechanism towards animals and microbes (
LF is a unstable compound, which suggests it evaporates simply. It’s launched on account of a collection of enzymatic reactions that happen when onion tissue is disrupted — similar to if you chop it (
Due to its volatility, LF can attain your eyes and trigger the irritation liable for onion’s tear-inducing effect (
To forestall LF from reaching your eyes, you’ll be able to strive chilling the onion earlier than dealing with it, chopping it underneath working water, carrying sealed goggles, and lighting a match (
Abstract
Chopping onions results in the discharge of LF, a gasoline that irritates your eyes and causes tear manufacturing.
Heartburn generally is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — a situation during which the contents of your abdomen journey again up into your esophagus, the tube connecting your abdomen and throat. This could trigger a burning sensation in your chest (14).
It occurs when the muscle on the finish of your esophagus, referred to as the decrease esophageal sphincter (LES), relaxes. This could permit meals and gastric acid to cross into your esophagus (
Analysis from 2000 means that some meals, together with onions, could set off heartburn signs by selling LES rest (
A research from 1990 noticed {that a} meal containing onions considerably elevated heartburn episodes in individuals with frequent heartburn, each when put next with the identical meal with out onions and with a management group of individuals with no heartburn (
Due to this fact, you could need to skip onions in case you have heartburn.
Abstract
Onions could promote LES rest and set off heartburn signs, particularly in individuals with GERD.
Analysis has linked onion consumption to a couple different potential unwanted side effects.
Unhealthy breath
In case you’ve ever loved a dish with onion, this smelly aspect impact doubtless received’t shock you.
Consuming sure meals, similar to onions and garlic, could trigger momentary halitosis, extra generally often called bad breath (
In case you’d prefer to take pleasure in a dish with onion however fear about unhealthy breath, you might be able to fight the odor by brushing your tooth, flossing, chewing gum, or rinsing with mouthwash after consuming (
Drug interplay
Onions have a possible anticoagulant impact, that means that they might assist stop the formation of blood clots. Whereas this would possibly sound like a profit, it may be a difficulty, particularly when you’re taking sure medicines.
For instance, each older and newer research present that onions could intrude with anticoagulant medicine like warfarin and reasonably enhance your threat of bleeding (
Nonetheless, these research fail to say the portions wanted to pose a well being threat, so extra analysis is required.
Abstract
Onions could enhance your threat of getting unhealthy breath. They might additionally intrude with anticoagulant medicine like warfarin.
Onions are a flexible vegetable utilized in quite a few dishes throughout many cuisines. They’ve additionally been used all through historical past as a house treatment resulting from their a number of well being advantages.
Sadly, onions even have a number of downsides. These vary from delicate, similar to unhealthy breath and eye irritation, to extreme, like allergic reactions and drug interactions.
Nonetheless, most individuals can take pleasure in onions of their cooking with minimal or no points. So, when you’ve by no means skilled any downsides from consuming this in style vegetable, there’s no motive to cease now.