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1.  Potential uses of onion for cancer:

The potential antioxidant, cytotoxic (toxic to cells), and anti-inflammatory properties of onion peel extract are due to quercetin, which might aid in suppressing the production of reactive oxygen species and might help against oxidative cell damage.¹  According to a study, the potential antiproliferative action of onion peel extract on cancer cell lines (human colon cancer cell line, human osteosarcoma cell line) might be due to a synergistic effect of various bioactive compounds (phytochemicals and flavanols) present in the onion peel.¹Another study found that onion peel extracts might have potential anticancer properties against breast cancer. Cancerous cells exhibit unregulated cell growth as well as abnormalities in apoptotic (cell death) processes. Red onion peel extract might lower cell proliferation and may improve cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cell lines apparently by suppressing a signalling system (which plays a critical role in cell cycle progression) in cancerous cells.¹ But, all these claims need to be properly backed-up by clear cut evidence. Furthermore, serious conditions such as cancer must be properly diagnosed and treated by a qualified doctor. Kindly consult a doctor and do not self-medicate.

2.  Potential uses of onion for infections:

Many fungi, bacteria, and viruses have been reported to be affected by onion extracts. According to a study, the essential oils of three onions (red, green, and yellow) have potential antibacterial activity against specific pathogens such as Salmonella enteritidis, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium cyclopium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus Niger. In studies red onion extract has been demonstrated the potential to have more antibacterial capabilities than yellow and white onion extracts.²One study found that P. aeruginosa associated with urinary tract infections might be inhibited by onion extract, implying its potentiality for urinary tract infections. Furthermore their essential oils might help limit the growth of dermatophyte fungi (pathogenic fungi that grow on skin, hair, and nails). Onion extract might help reduce the growth of fungi like Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus Niger as well.² Therefore, onion might be effective against various fungal, bacterial and viral infections. Further studies are needed to establish this ability of onion extracts.

3.  Potential uses of onion for obesity:

According to a recent animal study, quercetin from onion peel extracts was found to have potential anti-obesity properties.¹ Onion peel extract might help suppress fat accumulation and triglyceride content maybe by inhibiting adipogenesis. One clinical trial investigation on obese healthy women who were administered quercetin rich-onion peel extract capsules might prove to be beneficial for weight management. However, these studies are limited and require wider studies to prove their true impact. Therefore, kindly consult a doctor for healthy weight management methods.

4. Benefits of onion for the brain:

Researchers have studied the brain-protective impact of onion husk extract. It might have a brain-protective effect by helping in raising the brain’s antioxidant levels. Onion solid waste extracts can certain enzymes which might be helpful for Alzheimer’s disease. This extract might also have a memory-enhancing effect   which might be due to its antioxidant effect or due to the inhibition of certain enzymes and pathways.¹Onion might also have an antidepressant potential. Various researchers have observed that the onion bulb might have anxiolytic, antidepressant, and memory-boosting capabilities. These activities need to be proved by more concrete research.

5.  Potential uses of onion for the heart:

According to an animal study, blood lipid and glucose levels reduced dramatically in animals treated with quercetin-rich onion peel extract. There was, however, no effect on cholesterol. Prothrombin time and platelet aggregation were reduced by downregulating several pathways, ultimately reducing thrombosis (blood clotting), indicating that onion peel extract has antithrombotic (prevention of clot formation) effects that might be attributed primarily to quercetin and its derivatives found in onion peel.¹

Scientists have discovered that onion peel extract might have the potential to help with hypercholesterolemia (an excess of cholesterol in the bloodstream) in an animal model. Thus, onion peel extract supplementation led to lower blood levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which might ultimately be helpful for heart diseases.¹ Kindly consult a doctor for heart diseases. Do not self-medicate.