When you eat and enjoy red onions, you will see positive effects on your health. The benefits of red onions depend on your goals, but they do have an impact on your thyroid glands.
By understanding the onion’s benefits, you can take measures to improve your health.
RELATED: 5 Best Fruits For Hypothyroidism | Hypothyroid Diet Food
In this article:
- Anti-Bacterial Benefits
- Phosphoric Acid and Health Benefits
- Natural Compounds in Red Onions
- Using Onions for Your Thyroid Gland
- 6 Other Facts About Onions
Know the Wonderful Benefits Red Onions Can Have for Your Thyroid Health
Anti-Bacterial Benefits
A key benefit of red onions is their impact on bacteria. Onions are anti-bacterial.
They kill germs and reduce your exposure to bacteria on your skin and in your body. When you eat red onions, you give your body healthy antioxidants and vitamins.
When you use the onions on your skin, you kill germs and eliminate unwanted bacteria.
Phosphoric Acid and Health Benefits
Red onions contain phosphoric acid, which benefits your thyroid glands. When the acid is on your skin near the thyroid gland, it stimulates the glands, helping your body produce the proper amount of hormones for your health.
Natural Compounds in Red Onions
The natural compounds in red onions improve your health. Antioxidant compounds slow the aging process and reduce your risk of thyroid conditions.
When you eat red onions regularly, you will see a positive impact on your health. Eating onions helps improve your internal functions.
The fiber in onions also helps clear out your system. The quercetin in onions reduces your risk of certain infections and health concerns.
It lowers your blood pressure, which puts less pressure on your system and your thyroid gland. It also helps your body balance its hormones and improves your well-being.
The amino acids in onions help your body recover and build muscle. Onions also contain phytochemicals that reduce the risk of health complications.
What are phytochemicals? These are naturally occurring compounds in plants that help them fight threats such as pests.
They lower the risk of age-related ailments, including some cancers and thyroid conditions. You can improve your long-term health by eating onions and using onion juice on your skin.
Using Onions for Your Thyroid Gland
When using onions for your thyroid gland, you must follow the proper process. Eating onions will boost your internal health and may also support the thyroid.
When you want to improve the balance and health of your thyroid glands, you must use onions on your skin:
- Cut a red onion.
- Massage the onion over your entire neck to ensure that you completely cover your thyroid gland.
- Allow the onion juice to sit on your skin.
Let the juice from red onions sit on your skin overnight. Do not wash it off until the following morning.
You may want to stimulate your thyroid glands by using two halves of red onion to massage the area. The massage stimulates the glands while the onion juice supports healthy thyroid function.
As mentioned previously, wash off the juice in the morning. Repeat the process often for a long-term positive effect on your health.
To improve your thyroid health, you can also eat red onions. Focus on eating the onions raw rather than cooked.
Cooking the onions will break down their antioxidants and health benefits. Raw onions have a greater impact on your health as compared to cooked onions.
6 Other Facts About Onions
You can appreciate red onions—or onions, in general—with these facts:
1. There Are Different Types of Onions
Onions, or bulb onion or Allium cepa, have different varieties. Besides red onions, there are also yellow onions and white onions.
They may look the same, but their flavors and textures are not:
- White onions are usually the crunchiest. They’re best for salsas, where they’re less likely to become saggy from the tomatoes.
- Red onions have a stronger flavor. You can then add them to salads, guacamole, or tacos if you’re looking for flavor intensity.
- Yellow onions are versatile. You can use them in cooking stews or frying.
How about shallots? They are not onions.
Like garlic cloves, they grow in clusters rather than in single bulbs. Their flavors are also more subtle than distinct or intense like the onions.
Do the other onions, including onion extract or juice, promote thyroid health? So far, there’s not enough evidence to confirm it.
These types of onions can scavenge free radicals or provide the body with antioxidants. Note, though, their levels can vary, according to 2007 research.
Based on the results, the red onions win. The second point below will explain why.
RELATED: How Ear Sensitivity Is Affected By Hypothyroidism
2. Red Onions Owe Their Color to Anthocyanins
What do dark-color-pigmented vegetables like red onions have in common? Their shade may come from a type of polyphenol called anthocyanins.
A 2017 study in Food & Nutrition Research enumerated some of the benefits of anthocyanins to health. For example, it can help individuals with metabolic syndromes.
What are metabolic syndromes? These refer to a cluster of signs and symptoms that may increase the risks of chronic diseases like hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disorders, and type 2 diabetes.
An experiment in the study showed that consumption of 160 mg of the polyphenol two times a day for 12 weeks increased high-density lipoprotein (or the good cholesterol). Meanwhile, it reduced low-density lipoprotein (or bad cholesterol) when compared to the control group.
3. Onions May Help Fight Aging
Aging is normal, but if you’re experiencing it prematurely, the reason may be chronic inflammation. The body releases substances called cytokines that can trigger changes in the way cells function.
In the same 2017 study, red onions showed their ability to combat aging. It may regulate or modulate the mechanisms responsible for inflammation or changes in cellular signaling.
4. It Comes with Other Nutrients
There’s more to onions than anthocyanins and flavonoids. They also have vitamins and minerals such as:
- Vitamin C
- Manganese
- Biotin
- Copper
- Phosphorus
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin B6
It contains about 11% fiber and, surprisingly, excellent protein quality. This refers to the amount of protein per gram of an onion.
Vitamin C, in particular, is helpful for people with hypothyroidism. People with this disease may experience malabsorption of medications used for hormone replacement therapy.
What is hypothyroidism? It is a disorder characterized by the underactivity of the thyroid glands.
One of the reasons is gastritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach’s lining. A 2014 study revealed that this vitamin may help improve the absorption of levothyroxine.
Note: Teams like LIV Health can help you determine any nutritional deficiencies and design a personalized treatment plan for your thyroid problem.
5. Onions Boost Your Mood Naturally
Onions contain a high amount of dietary flavonoids. Eating flavonoid-rich foods may lower the risks of depression because of its mood-enhancing properties.
6. You Can Store Chopped Onions or Make Pickle Red Onions
If you sliced more red onions than you needed, you can store them in tight, resealable bags or containers to keep them fresh. They can last for seven days.
Another option is pickling red onions. Here’s how to do it in minutes:
- Chop thinly sliced onions using either a mandolin or a sharp knife. Place the onions inside a mason jar.
- In a small saucepan, dissolve 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt with a cup of water. Other ingredients include 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar and a tablespoon of sugar.
- Pour the mixture into the jar with the onions. Close the lid tightly and place it inside the fridge.
You can add peppercorns into the jar to give it more flavor. If you’re making pickled red onions in batches, use a medium saucepan instead.
Pickled red onions are flexible and can pair well with many types of food. If you’re making a delicious fresh salad, combine greens, slices of shallots, some chickpeas, and dressing with extra virgin olive oil and lemon with your pickles.
Onions keep your body healthy and active. If you have concerns about your thyroid, you can use onions to stimulate the gland.
You can also eat onions to improve your health and balance your hormones. Red onions have a positive impact on your thyroid health.
Use red onions for their higher concentration of compounds and antioxidants that improve your health.
Do you know other benefits of red onions for thyroid health? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Up Next:
