“Onion” and its effects and health side effects that should be taken into consideration.
The onion is both a culinary and medicinal herb in the genus Allium, along with garlic, shallots, leeks, chives, and chives. It is believed to be one of the world’s earliest cultivated vegetables. In fact, onions were used by the Romans, Greeks, and many other cultures for thousands of years, both as a food and as a medicine (1 Trustworthy Source).
Furthermore, the use of onions as herbal medicine has led to the discovery of many medical benefits in modern research. For example, onions may have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antithrombotic, anticancer, antioxidant, and heart and liver-protective properties.
However, despite its many health benefits, onions can cause some unwanted side effects in some people.
“Onions” and their health effects
1. May make irritable bowel syndrome symptoms worse.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects 10–15% of the population in the United States. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, cramps, gas, general weakness, and irregular bowel movements, ranging from constipation to diarrhea. Treatment for IBS involves an integrated approach that focuses on managing symptoms to improve quality of life. Dietary changes are a key factor.
Although food is not considered a cause of IBS, it can trigger symptoms, which is why a low-FODMAP diet has become a popular evidence-based treatment. “FODMAP” stands for “fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols,” which are short-chain, hard-to-digest, slow-absorbing carbohydrates found in some foods that can cause discomfort in people with IBS.
The low-FODMAP diet aims to avoid high-FODMAP foods and replace them with low-FODMAP foods to reduce bowel bloating. Onions, garlic, shallots, legumes, coconut, and dairy and wheat products are common high-FODMAP foods. Because onions may trigger or worsen IBS symptoms, some people may need to avoid onions temporarily or permanently.
2. Some people may be allergic.
Food allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to proteins from certain foods. This immune reaction can affect organs and systems such as your skin, intestines, heart, and respiratory and nervous systems. The most common food allergens for children and adults are cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, soy, and wheat. Fruits and vegetables are also common allergens in adults.
Some studies have documented allergic reactions to onions. Onions are in the Liliaceae family, a family of flowering plants, along with garlic, asparagus, เว็บพนันออนไลน์ UFABET สมัครง่าย โปรโมชั่นมากมาย and leeks. Research suggests that cross-allergic reactions can occur between different Liliaceae plants, as well as grass pollens. This means that if you’re allergic to one plant, you might also experience an allergic reaction to the others.
Onions contain compounds called diallyl disulfide and lipid transfer protein, which can cause allergic reactions such as asthma, runny nose, stuffy nose, pink eyes, itchy eyes and nose, and contact dermatitis, which is characterized by a red, itchy rash. In rare cases, contact dermatitis can occur when people simply touch onions without eating them.
3. May cause eye irritation.
When chopping onions, you’ve probably experienced the burning sensation in your eyes that makes them tear up because of the production of a sulfur metabolite called lachrymatory factor (LF), which acts as a chemical defense mechanism against animals and microbes.
LF is a volatile compound, which means it evaporates easily. It is released as a result of a series of enzyme reactions that occur when onion tissue is broken down, such as when you cut it. Because it is volatile, LF can reach your eyes and cause irritation, which is what causes onion’s tear-stimulating effect. To prevent LF from reaching your eyes, you can try chilling onions before handling them, cutting under running water, wearing closed-eye glasses, and lighting a match.
4. Causes heartburn.
Heartburn can be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus, the tube that connects your stomach and throat. This can cause a burning sensation in your chest. It occurs when the muscle at the end of your esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), relaxes. This can allow food and stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.
Research from the 2000s suggests that certain foods, including onions, may trigger heartburn by promoting relaxation of the LES. A 1990 study observed that a diet containing onions caused a significant increase in heartburn symptoms in people who experience frequent heartburn, both compared to the same diet without onions and to a control group of people who do not experience heartburn (17 Trusted Source). So you may want to avoid onions if you experience heartburn.
Other possible side effects of eating onions
Research has linked onion consumption to other possible minor side effects.
Bad breath
If you’ve ever eaten onions, this smelly side effect probably won’t come as a surprise. Consuming certain foods, such as onions and garlic, can cause temporary bad breath, commonly known as halitosis. If you want to enjoy onion-based foods but are concerned about bad breath. You may be able to combat the smell by brushing, flossing, chewing gum, or rinsing with mouthwash after eating.
Drug interactions
Onions have anticoagulant properties, which means they may help prevent blood clots from forming. While this may sound like a benefit, it can be problematic, especially if you’re taking certain medications. For example, both old and new studies have shown that onions may interfere with anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin, and increase the risk of bleeding moderately. However, these studies did not address the amount needed to cause a health risk, so more research is needed.
Onions are a versatile vegetable that are used in a wide variety of dishes. They have also been used throughout history as a home remedy due to their many health benefits. Unfortunately, onions also have a number of drawbacks, which range from minor, such as bad breath and eye irritation, to more serious, such as allergic reactions and drug interactions.
However, most people can enjoy onions in cooking with little to no problems, so if you’ve never had any problems eating this popular vegetable, there’s no reason to stop.