10 Benefits And Side Effects of Onion Tea
Onions are delicious, nutritious, and healthy. They contain tons of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, fiber, and many others.
Onion tea has become popular as a natural remedy for various ailments. It’s also great for weight loss and detoxification. In this article, I’ll share with you the top 15 health benefits of onion tea.
I’ll also tell you how to make onion tea at home, and provide you with recipes for each type of onion tea.
What is Onion tea
Onion tea is made by steeping onions in water. The process takes about 30 minutes. When done properly, the end result will be a flavorful cup of tea that can be drunk immediately or stored in the refrigerator for later use.
The best types of onions to use include red onions, white onions, yellow onions, and green onions. You can even use shallots if you prefer.
Types Of Onion Tea To Make At Home
1. Red Onion Tea:
This is one of my favorite types of onion tea because it tastes so good. It’s very easy to prepare, too. All you need is 1 large red onion (or 2 medium-sized ones) and some boiling water. Chop up your onion into small pieces and place them in a pot. Add enough hot water to cover the onions completely. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed, which should take around 20 minutes. Strain out the onion pieces and enjoy!
2. White Onion Tea:
White onions have a milder flavor than their red counterparts. For this reason, they’re often used when making other dishes such as salads. However, they work well in onion tea, too. Simply chop up 3 white onions and add them to a pot along with some boiling water. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes before straining out the onion pieces. Enjoy!
3. Yellow Onion Tea:
Yellow onions are sweeter than regular onions. That makes them perfect for flavoring foods like soups and stews. If you want to make an onion tea, simply slice off the root ends and peel the outer layer from the bulb. Then cut the bulbs into thin slices. Place these slices in a pot along with some cold water. Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and let sit for 5 minutes. Drain the water and serve.
4. Green Onion Tea:
Green onions are usually more pungent than regular onions. They’re great for adding extra flavor to dishes. For example, if you’re using them in soup, you may want to add a little bit of salt to enhance the taste. To make onion tea, just chop up 4 green onions and add them to your pot. Follow the same steps as above.
How To Make Onion Tea
Making onion tea is really simple. Just follow these steps below:
- Wash your onions thoroughly. Remove any dirt or debris.
- Cut the onions into small pieces.
- Put the onions in a pot.
- Pour plenty of boiling water into the pot.
- Stir the mixture occasionally while it simmers.
- Once the water has reduced to half its original volume, strain out the onion pieces.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for later consumption.
Health benefits of onion tea
Onion tea contains many health benefits. Here are some of the most important ones:
1. Packed With Nutrients
Onion tea is packed with nutrients, including vitamins C, B6, and K, folic acid, potassium, manganese, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E.
And because onions contain sulfur compounds, they help prevent cancer. Onions also help fight infections, lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and boost immune function.
Plus, onions are delicious! They’re great for snacking and adding flavor to soups, stews, salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, pizza toppings, and casseroles.
If you’re looking for a healthy beverage to drink during the day, try making some onion tea.
2. May Benefit Heart Health
Onion tea may be beneficial for heart health because onions contain flavonoids, which help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.
Flavonoids are antioxidants that protect cells against damage. They’re found in many foods, including onions, apples, berries, broccoli, carrots, grapes, kale, leeks, lettuce, oranges, pears, peppers, plums, prunes, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, and walnuts.
Research shows that eating at least two servings of fruits and vegetables each day reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Onions are rich in vitamin C, folate, potassium, manganese, and fiber.
One cup of chopped raw onions contains 1 mg of vitamin C, 0.1 mg of folate, 2 mg of potassium, 0.3 mg of manganese, and 4 g of dietary fiber.
3. Loaded With Antioxidants
Onion tea is loaded with antioxidants. It’s a great way to boost your immune system and fight off colds, flu, and other illnesses.
Antioxidants help protect cells from damage by free radicals, which cause cell aging and disease. They’re found naturally in foods like onions, garlic, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, and red wine.
4. Contain Cancer-Fighting Compounds
Onion tea contains cancer-fighting compounds called quercetin and kaempferol. These two compounds are found in onions and garlic, but not in many other foods.
Quercetin and kaempferol work together to fight cancer cells. They help prevent cancer cell growth and kill cancer cells when they form tumors.
These compounds also inhibit tumor formation in animal models. This means that drinking onion tea may reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancers.
5. Help Control Blood Sugar
Onion tea is a natural way to control blood sugar. Onion tea contains compounds called quercetin and rutin, which help lower blood sugar levels.
Quercetin is found in onions, apples, berries, broccoli, kale, and many other foods. Rutin is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, cherries, grapes, and many other foods, including onions.
Both quercetin and its cousin, resveratrol (found in red wine), have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. This means that they may be helpful for controlling diabetes.
If you’re looking for a healthy beverage to drink during the day, consider making some onion tea instead of coffee. Onions contain vitamins C and B6, which boost energy and fight fatigue. They also contain potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure.
6. May Boost Bone Density
Onion tea may be beneficial for bone health because onions contain flavonoids, which help prevent osteoporosis. Flavonoids are antioxidants that protect against free radicals, which cause cell damage.
Free radicals are produced when cells break down food, which is why we need to eat healthy foods to stay healthy.
Flavonoids are found in many fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, apples, oranges, and onions. They’re also found in red wine, tea, coffee, chocolate, and dark leafy greens.
According to WebMD, onions may also reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, lower blood pressure, and improve heart function.
If you drink onion tea regularly, you may notice improvements in your overall health.
7. Have Antibacterial Properties
Onion tea is a natural remedy for colds, flu, coughs, sore throats, and sinus infections. Onion tea contains compounds called quercetin and thiosulfinates that kill bacteria and viruses.
If you’re looking for a quick way to cure a cold, flu, or sore throat, try onion tea.
8. May Boost Digestive Health
Onion tea may help boost digestive health because onions contain compounds called quercetin and kaempferol, which have been shown to improve digestion.
Quercetin and kaempferol are antioxidants that protect cells from damage. They’re also anti-inflammatory agents that reduce swelling and pain.
Onions are rich in fiber, too. Fiber helps keep your digestive tract healthy and regular.
If you drink onion tea regularly, you may notice improvements in your overall health.
9. Reduces Hypertension
Onion tea contains quercetin, a flavonoid compound found in onions. Quercetin helps reduce blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and relaxing blood vessels.
Quercetin also reduces inflammation, which may help prevent heart disease. Onions contain potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, manganese, copper, zinc, phosphorus, vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, folate, pantothenic acid, biotin, and dietary fiber.
If you’re looking for a healthy drink option, consider making some onion tea at home. Simply chop 1/2 cup of fresh onions and simmer them in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes. Strain out the onion pieces and serve hot.
10. Boost the Immune System
Onion tea is a natural immune system booster because onions contain powerful antioxidants called quercetin and polyphenols. Quercetin helps fight viruses and bacteria, and polyphenols help boost the body’s ability to fight off infections.
Research shows that onions contain compounds called thiosulfinates, which stimulate the body’s white blood cells to fight off viruses and bacteria. Thiosulfinates also protect against cancer and heart disease.
Onions are rich in vitamin C, which helps build collagen and strengthen capillaries. Vitamin C also boosts immunity and fights infection.
Onions are also a great source of fiber, potassium, folate, manganese, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6.
Side Effects From Onion Tea
While there aren’t any known side effects from drinking onion tea, it can cause an upset stomach if consumed in large quantities. If you experience nausea or vomiting after consuming onion tea, stop drinking it immediately.
You should not consume more than 4 cups of onion tea per day. Consuming more than this amount may cause diarrhea.
Pregnant and nursing mothers should consult with their doctor before drinking onion tea.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you haven’t tried drinking onion tea yet, you should definitely give it a shot. Not only does it taste delicious, but it also has tons of health benefits. Try adding it to your diet today!
