When we think of onions, whether it be sweet or red, we most likely think of them as a great cooking ingredient that adds terrific flavor and aroma to just about any dish. The downside? Well, we also probably think of their potent smell (hello, bad breath) and how they make us cry when we cut them.
While this is all true, what most people don’t realize is that in addition to being a great cooking staple and tasty ingredient, this food can also be extremely healthy for us! Here’s a look at the 12 greatest health benefits of onions…
Good for Digestion
Onions can help improve our digestion because they are “rich in inulin, a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic,” says Health.com. The source goes on to explain that prebiotics are good because they serve as food for probiotics, “and help those beneficial microbes flourish.”
The inulin in onions also makes them good for relieving constipation, improving blood sugar regulation, nutrient absorption, and they improve bone density (which we’ll get to next). There is also some evidence that onions could help support weight loss, too.