10 Potential Negative Side-Effects of Onions

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Onions are among the most common and most popular food items in existence. There are many benefits that this natural food can bring you. It is a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, folic acid, protein, calcium, potassium, iron, and several powerful antioxidants. It is low in sodium and has virtually no fat whatsoever. Onions have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties, reduce the risk of certain cancers, lower blood pressure, and curb high blood sugar. As we shall see below, however, all of onions’ effects on our bodies are not so rosy as the above might suggest.

Despite the numerous beneficial effects of onion-eating, there lurk certain negative side effects of onions that we ought also be aware of. These should not cause us to shun onions and banish them from our diets but should simply bring to our attention that too much of a good thing can potentially become a bad thing.

Some of the most common problems onions can cause are listed below.

  1. Onions can lower the blood sugar levels of diabetics by too much. Thus, those who suffer from diabetes need to check their blood sugar levels before consuming onions.
  2. Gastrointestinal discomfort can result from over-consumption of onions. Onions ordinarily have positive effects on one’s gastrointestinal system, but there are instances when the reverse may occur.
  3. Onions can be a skin irritant to some individuals. Applying onion juice to the skin can help treat bruises, wounds, and pimples due to onions’ antiseptic properties. Some people’s skin, however, reacts negatively to such treatment.
  4. Onions have been known to cause heartburn in women who are pregnant or nursing. Sometimes others will get heartburn from onion-eating as well. Each individual will react differently.
  5. The high sulfur content of onions results in a strong after-smell. That is, eating lots of onions often gives you bad breath.
  6. Onions can lower your blood pressure level. This is sometimes a benefit, but those with blood pressure problems need to be careful that their blood pressure is not lowered too far.
  7. Onions are thought to have an anti-coagulant property. If one takes anti-coagulant drugs and eats onions at the same time, there is an increased risk of bruising and bleeding.
  8. Some people are acutely allergic to onions. Eating or even smelling them will lead to convulsive coughing, sneezing, and eye-watering. If such a person takes aspirin at the same time as being exposed to onions, their sensitivity to onions will increase even more.
  9. Onions help to remove lithium from the body. If one is already taking drugs that remove lithium, eating onions could lead to his or her lithium levels becoming too low.
  10. When cut, onions diffuse a gas through the air that activates sensory neurons on the eyes, creating a stinging sensation. The eye’s tear glands then respond by pouring out tears to wash the irritant off the eye’s surface. That is, onions can make you cry.

As with most all-natural, healthy food items, onions will not cause any major problems to most people when they are consumed in reasonable quantities. Those with special conditions and those tempted to over-consume what may be their favorite vegetable, however, will do well to take note and exercise caution.

Source: stylecraze.com

Also Read: 32 Amazing Health Benefits Of Onions

Heidi Kristoffer
I am Heidi Kristoffer, as an expert on natural health and holistic medicine, I am willing to help people live happier capable lives by sharing my health opinions with others. I am good at writing topics such as: medicine, natural remedies, foods and mental health. I think living a simple and healthy life, including eating healthy, exercising regularly and positively thinking, is the best medicine.