Onions are a surprising powerhouse of antioxidants and nutrients.These root vegetables have been found to support health in a variety of areas. Diabetics should try to incorporate more of them into their diets.

What Makes an Onion Great!

One of their most beneficial aspects is the presence of quercetin in the outer layers and husk. This flavonoid acts as an antioxidant in the plant and the human body and has been found to help prevent cancer, lower blood pressure, support heart health, reduce the symptoms of bladder infections, and promote prostate health.

What About Blood Sugar?

Onions also contain sulfides, which are sulfur containing chemical compounds. It seems that these compounds can do a lot for diabetics. The sulfides found in onions have been linked to increased insulin production and even improved insulin sensitivity.

In 2015, a group of researchers presented a sulfides study at the Endocrine Society’s 97th annual meeting in San Diego. They aimed to determine whether onion extract could increase the effectiveness of metformin in rats. Naturally, the rats that ate higher doses of onion extract experienced lower levels of blood glucose and cholesterol.

Onions even contain a lot of chromium, which is used by the body for blood sugar regulation. So, there are plenty of ways that these aromatic veggies help diabetics out.

How Can You Make the Most Of Onions?

Onions are widely used in cooking and are a good source of antioxidants and nutrients. Many people use them as a “herb” to season dishes in place of salt. However, you can be more liberal with them. Feel free to consider the onion an integral part of any main course or side dish.

You’ll also find that there are many kinds of onions to sample. If the yellow cooking onion is a little hot or bitter for you, then the white onion or the sweet onion may be good alternatives. They are especially tasty served fresh in salsas and salads. Onions lose nutrients during the cooking process, so a raw onion has more benefits to offer.