Do you like to add onions to most dishes? This is a good habit, but still watch your portions. Too many onions can lead to intestinal breakdown as well as other side effects. As in everything else, the main thing – moderation (according healthdigest)
This vegetable is nutritious, offering large doses of antioxidants. Fresh yellow onions contain 270 to 1,187 milligrams of flavonols per kilogram, according to a 2007 review published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The same amount of red onion provides from 415 to 1917 milligrams of flavonols, one of the types of flavonoids. These nutrients can lower inflammatory markers, protect against cancer and support immune function, according to a 2021 review published in the journal Pharmaceutical Biology. In addition, eating onions can reduce the risk of vascular and heart disease, improve eye health and maintain mental acuity, the study authors say.
Unfortunately, a lot of things can be harmful – and a modest onion is no exception. This vegetable can cause bad breath and body odor, affect digestion and cause allergies.
Onions can affect the health of the digestive system
Some people experience bloating and flatulence after eating onions – and for good reason. This vegetable is rich in fructose – a group of carbohydrates that can wander in the digestive system and poorly absorbed in the small intestine. As a result, they can cause abdominal pain, cramps and other gastrointestinal problems, especially in those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. Both raw and cooked onions contain fruit acids, but you can quench it in oil to minimize side effects.
This vegetable can also cause heartburn, according to a review published in 2000 in the journal Nutrition and Cancer. The same goes for tomatoes, chocolate, garlic and citrus. These foods cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing stomach acid to rise into the esophagus. Cooked onions are less problematic, but still it should be consumed in moderation. Eat small amounts, see how your body responds and adjust your portions accordingly.
In addition, onions are generally safe for most people. If you eat too much onion, you may have bad breath, but this side effect lasts for several hours, according to Healthline. There is also a risk of allergic reactions, according to Medical News Today. In this case, you may experience nausea, diarrhea, urticaria, shortness of breath, itching and other symptoms within two hours after eating onions – regardless of its amount.