A simple, yet powerful cancer-fighting supernutrient lies hidden within one of the most common vegetables found in your kitchen – the onion. Onions, a member of the Allium family of vegetables, have been shown to fight prostate, breast, stomach, colon, and esophageal cancer. They are packed full of sulfuric compounds and flavonoids, such as quercetin, which have documented cancer-fighting properties.
Quercetin: The anti-cancer flavonoid
While onions are a great source of these nutrients, they also contain far more quercetin than other members of the Allium family. Quercetin is considered the anti-cancer flavonoid and has a multitude of health benefits. It is known to fight free radical damage, inflammation, and more than five different types of cancer.
Onionin A: A powerful cancer-fighter
Quercetin is not the only cancer-fighting compound found within onions. Onionin A (ONA) is another compound with an amazing ability to eliminate cancer cells. ONA has shown to halt the growth of epithelial ovarian cancer cells, shrink tumors, and does so without causing harm to healthy cells.
More than just cancer prevention
The benefits of onions go well beyond cancer prevention. Including onions in your diet can improve your overall day-to-day health by:
- Strengthening your immune system
- Improving your heart health
- Balancing your blood sugar
- Fighting bacterial infections
- Boosting libido
- Relieving gastrointestinal issues
- Helping with urinary tract disorders
- Strengthening your bones
A powerhouse of nutrition
You may wonder how such a simple vegetable contains so many health-boosting properties. In addition to cancer-fighting compounds, onions are packed with nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese, folate, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin B1.
Different types of onions contain different levels of beneficial compounds. Sweet onions, such as Vidalia onions, contain fewer beneficial compounds than yellow and red onions. Yellow onions contain higher levels of cancer-fighting quercetin and sulfuric compounds, whereas red onions have more antioxidants.
Making the most of onions
The best way to take advantage of all the wonderful health benefits of onions is to include them in your diet on a daily basis. Aim to consume one medium onion, or about one cup chopped, per day. You can eat it raw in salads or cook it in various dishes. If you do not enjoy the taste of onions, you can also take onion supplements to ensure you are getting the necessary cancer-fighting compounds.
Including onions in your diet, alongside other cancer-fighting foods like berries, dark leafy greens, dark chocolate, turmeric, green tea, and broccoli, can put you on the path to a long and healthy life. Achieving better health can be as easy as making a few daily changes to your diet. So, the next time you’re cooking up a meal, don’t forget to add a healthy dose of onions.
