A common mistake most people do is throw away the onion skin when using this vegetable.
But, researches have found that onion skin is abundant in potent antioxidants, which can improve human health on many levels. For one thing, the outer brown layer of onions is packed with fiber, flavonoids and antioxidants, all of which are highly beneficial for improving skin health.
Read on and find out how you can reap the health benefits from onion skin.
Onion Skin Contains More Antioxidants than the Onion
Onion skin is rich in a strong plant pigment called quercetin, which is highly effective in reducing hypertension and preventing clogged arteries. Moreover, the onion skin has anti-cancer, antifungal, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties.
Including onion skin into your diet can drastically cut your risk of:
- cardiovascular disease
- colon cancer
- obesity
- type 2 diabetes
- gastrointestinal problems
How to Make Onion Skin Tea
This is an amazing detox drink. Plus, it’s really simple to make. Just brew the onion skin, strain the infusion and consume on a regular daily basis. You can collect the onion skin and store it in a glass jar. When you want to make your daily dose of onion skin tea, just grab a few pieces, cover them in boiling water and steep for about 15 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink before going to bed. Quercetin also produces sedative effects, which is why this tea is best consumed at bedtime.
Use Onion Skins in Soups and Stews
While you can’t actually eat onion skin, you can easily use it in soups or as a stew base. You can also add it to your homemade chili recipe. Quercetin, the main ingredient in onion skin, is a powerful flavonoid – an antioxidant with cancer-fighting benefits. Not many know that quercetin levels are highest in and near the onion skin.
Study Shows Onion Skins High in Dietary Fiber
According to research, onion skin can be used as a great addition to any diet owing to its high content of insoluble fiber, which is beneficial for regular and normal bowel movements. Plus, insoluble fiber eliminates toxic waste from the colon and balances the intestinal pH levels. This inhibits formation of cancerous cells. Fiber is beneficial for overall health and reduces the risk of several health issues including cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Note: Pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised not to consume onion skin in any form.