Onions belong to the most cultivated species from the Allium genus.
From being eaten raw in salads to being used in pickles and chutneys, onions have a plethora of uses.
Eating onions will help you combat sleeping problems such as insomnia.
Being rich sources of an amino acid form, L-tryptophan, onions act as natural sedatives, helping to reduce anxiety and stress and promoting better sleep.
The origin of onions dates back to 5,000 BC, when it was first used in China.
From China to Egypt and then to every corner of the world, onions started to be cultivated nearly everywhere.
Onions reduce the metabolic activity of your body by regulating and reducing the sugar levels in the blood.
In addition, onions also have high amounts of Vitamin C, which are also known to be stress relievers.
Intake of raw onions before going to bed reduces your chances of getting affected with heatstroke.
Raw onions are natural blood purifiers that remove toxins from the blood, hence purifying it.
Eating raw onions just before bed might help with pimples, boils, and other skin conditions.
Due to the presence of calcium and Vitamin C, eating raw onions at night ensures better oral health and helps in curing phlegm and colds.
Onions have high amounts of thiosulfinates and flavonoids, which help reduce blood pressure and prevent thinning of the blood.
In addition, onions also have anti-cancer and immunity-enhancing properties, which help in strengthening immunity.
Onions have a soothing effect on the trachea muscles and can help with respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Onions also contain selenium, a compound that promotes vitamin E production and prevents eye diseases.
However, despite all these benefits, there are few downsides to eating onions at night.
Eating onions right before going to bed can lead to digestive problems such as bloating and acid reflux.
As onions take more time to digest, the chances of digestive and mental distress increase.
Is It Good To Eat Onions At Night?
The flavonoids and antioxidants in onions work throughout the night to fight free radicals and boost your immune system.
In addition, the amino acid, L-tryptophan, acts as a natural sedative and has been proven to aid better sleep.
Along with blood glucose, it operates your metabolism.
It protects you from serious health problems like heart diseases or cancer.
Eating a raw onion a few hours before bed has been proven to aid with better sleep.
It also contributes to better oral, eye, and skin health.
The three common types of onions are:
Red – Spicy and aromatic, red onions are commonly used in salads, burgers, and sandwiches.
Yellow – One of the best vegetables for stir-fries, yellow onions are versatile with a mildly sweet, rich flavor.
Lightly cooked, they turn a deep, golden brown.
White – These onions are crisp with a powerful flavor when eaten raw.
They turn golden when cooked and will have a more mellow flavor.
White onions are popular in Latin and Italian dishes.
What Is The Best Time To Eat Onions?
Onions are often considered a superfood because of the countless health benefits it offers.
You can eat onions first thing in the morning, or the last thing at night.
From cardiovascular benefits, to boosting your immune system, it is always a perfect time to eat onions!
Eating onions at any time of the day gives you the same nutrients.
The nutritional value of 100g of onions are:
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 64 |
| Carbohydrates | 14.9 grams |
| Fat | 0.16 grams |
| Cholesterol | 0 gram |
| Fiber | 2.72 grams |
| Sugar | 6.78 grams |
| Protein | 1.76 grams |
Onions also have Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, manganese, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, folate, calcium, and other antioxidants.
Cooked onions are more easily digested than raw onions, but raw onions retain their nutrients and antioxidants better.
Onions have a high level of antioxidants that can help fight the free radicals found in our body.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can bind to antioxidants and keep the body balanced.
If the number of free radicals outweigh the amount of antioxidants in our bodies, our bodies can go into a condition called oxidative stress.
Prolonged periods of oxidative stress can cause severe diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and cancer.
In addition, onions have been credited with several health benefits, such as:
Anti-inflammation – Onions have been known to have protective effects against inflammatory diseases such as Parkinson’s and heart disease.
Support a healthy heart – The high levels of antioxidants can help reduce cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease.
The anti-inflammatory properties also help in reducing blood pressure, the risk of blood clots, and the risk of hypertension.
The high concentration of quercetin, a flavonoid compound that can also reduce the risk of heart disease and contributes to a happy, healthy heart.
Gut health – A rich source of fiber, onions are a prebiotic that feels the healthy gut bacteria in the colon called probiotics.
Probiotics are the trillions of gut bacteria that maintain our digestive system and keep the harmful invading bacteria away, boosting our immune systems.
Adding prebiotics to your diet can boost the good gut bacteria that creates short-chain fatty acids.
These short-chain fatty acids have been shown to increase immunity, reduce inflammation, improve digestion and strengthen gut health.
Prebiotics like onions are dietary fibers that feed essential probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.
With prebiotics, these good gut bacteria will multiply and help maintain a stellar digestive system.
Is Onion Good On An Empty Stomach?
While onions are a nutritious and healthy vegetable, they have been known to cause bloat and gastric upsets for those with gastrointestinal difficulties such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Onions can cause some side effects for people with gastrointestinal conditions or sensitive digestive systems.
The carbohydrates like oligosaccharides found in onions are difficult to digest and have been notoriously known to cause minor upsets like flatulence, bloat, and abdominal cramps.
For those that don’t have a sensitive gut, onion juice and honey juice, when eaten on an empty stomach in the morning, has been known to promote weight loss.
You can take peeled onions, blend them with honey and enjoy the benefits.
This magical potion has been known to aid significantly with weight loss.
The sulphur compounds in onions react with sweat produced by the skin and can lead to a strange odor.
Onions have been known to prevent cancer, improve bone density and health, maintain proper gut health, lower cholesterol levels, and give you glowing skin.
They have been known to treat respiratory problems such as coughs, bronchitis and asthma.
Studies have shown that onions might reduce lung inflammation and prevent severe respiratory illnesses.
In addition, onions also help in managing hyperpigmentation, insomnia, aging, diabetes, and allergies.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends we eat roughly five portions of fruits and vegetables a day, or approximately 400 grams.
The recommended portions can help reduce the risk of severe health conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
The average American consumes about 15 grams of fiber a day, almost half of the recommended daily intake of 25 to 40 grams.
I’m Chris Watson & the Founder of EatForLonger.com. I’m a food and wellbeing enthusiast researching and sharing foodstuffs and simple food-based concepts, such as fasting and clean eating.
I hope it inspires you to make tiny changes to what you eat and when you eat while optimizing your healthspan and all-around well-being.
Read more About Me here.