Onions may or may not be the first thing you think of when looking for healthy snacks, but they’re greatly beneficial to your diet. Below is a list of 10 health-promoting effects of onions that make the case of why they should be included in your daily diet.

1. Chromium

Onions contain Chromium, which controls glucose levels and helps undermine insulin resistance, a great nutritional aid for people suffering from diabetes. Chromium assists with insulin activity when metabolizing fat, protein, and carbohydrates in other foods which are consumed.

2. Querecetin

Different types of onions have different health properties. Red onions contain Querecetin, useful in helping the body fight free radicals, thought to be a major cause in cancer. It also has anti-inflammtory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. Simply adding red onions to your salad and help reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Querecetin also has a pain relieving quality.

3. They’re Tasty!

Eating tasty food increases seratonin levels! Consuming a healthy food that’s good for you and tastes great is absolutely good for your health. Onions can add flavor and aroma to almost any dish and often make an appearance in your favorite meals and snacks.

4. Antioxidants

Onions, rich in Vitamin C and other antioxidants can pump up your body’s immune system and help fight of cancer and minor illness.

5. Low Glycemic Index

Onions are a low glycemic index food. Low GI foods will release stored energy into your body slowly after being eaten. Eating Low GI foods can benefit people looking to trim fat off their body also, you’ll feel more full for longer if you incorporate Low GI foods into your diet.

6. Stomach & Digestion

Onions promote a healthy stomach and digestion. Putting some onion into your meals will help you digest your food, increase your appetite, and help protect against colon and stomach cancer, as well as gastrointestinal ulcers.

7. They Lower Blood Pressure

With a sterling combination of Chromium, Vitamin B6, and various sulfur compounds, onions can help decrease cholesterol and lower blood pressure. This is beneficial in combating heart attack and stroke.

8. Onions Inhibit Tumors 

Onions have been proven to inhibit the growth of tumors in animals. Researchers think that this is why they are helpful as a food which can combat cancer.

9. Healthy Skin

Onions are excellent for healthy skin. Acne, bruises, wounds, or warts can all be treated by either rubbing onion juice onto your skin or making a poultice to apply to an injury. Some evidence even shows that onion juice rubbed into the scalp can promote hair growth!

10. Help With Restful Sleep

Do you have problems with getting a good night’s sleep? Onions might be the remedy you need! The phytochemicals contained in onions will help you sleep through the night and wake up feeling rested. Make sure you eat them at night during dinner with your favorite recipe.

When you go shopping for onions make sure you choose ones which are firm, and fresh, with no signs of growth and/or openings in the skin by the neck of the vegetable. Also eat the green tops of spring onions for a great source of vitamin A. To get the best benefit out of onions make sure to include them along with the rest of your healthy dietary choices, eating onions by themselves won’t give you the best benefit they can provide.