If you like cooking, you probably already know onion very well and have included it at least in one of your recipe. Usually, before adding it, most people will slice away the peel with kitchen knife, peeling tools, or peel it with bare hands. Therefore, more often than not, the peel always ended up in waste. You’re probably wondering, why should you keep it? Because, actually, onion peels provide health benefits. This is obviously unknown to most people.

Onion peel is outer part that covers onion. It is one of the most common type of organic waste, presumably because its abundant use in restaurant or home dishes. It is not entirely have no use, as it can be useful sometimes, especially for health treatment. This article will covers health benefits of onion peels that you never know.

Nutritional Value of Onion Peels 

According to studies conducted by experts, onion peel, apparently, contains decent amount of antioxidants. This may be the factor why it benefits our health, as antioxidants commonly linked to lower risk of certain diseases. See the list below for more details.

Per 100 g

• 166 kJ (40 kcal) Energy
• 9.34 g Carbohydrates
• 4.24 g Sugars
• 1.7 g Dietary fibre
• 0.1 g Fat
• 1.1 g Protein
• 0.046 mg (4 %) Thiamine (B1)
• 0.027 mg (2 %) Riboflavin (B2)
• 0.116 mg (1 %) Niacin (B3)
• 0.123 mg (2 %) Pantothenic acid (B5)
• 0.12 mg (9 %) Vitamin (B6)
• 19 μg (5 %) Folate (B9)
• 7.4 mg (9 %) Vitamin C
• 23 mg (2 %) Calcium
• 0.21 mg (2 %) Iron
• 10 mg (3 %) Magnesium
• 0.129 mg (6 %) Manganese
• 29 mg (4 %) Phosphorus
• 146 mg (3 %) Potassium
• 0.17 mg (2 %) Zinc
• 89.11 g Water
• 1.1 μg Fluoride

It also contains flavonoids, such as quercetin, and other phytochemicals, such as trisulfides, vinyl dithiins, cepaene, and disulfides.

Now, it’s time to see health benefits of onion peels. Here they are :

1. A good anti-cancer agent

Anything with antioxidants has been almost always associated with lower risk of cancer. Onion peel is included. In addition, its phytochemicals (trisulfides, vinyl dithiins, cepaene, and disulfides) and flavonoids (quercetin) also have anti-cancer properties.

Those chemicals help the body fight off free radicals which is major cause of cancer. As a bonus, the body will be safe from some other diseases as well.

2. Minimize the pain after syringe injection

Some people in Asia have used onion peel to minimize the pain after they have been injected by syringe, though it’s more common to baby and toddler.

For example, some parents in Indonesia have used onion on their babies after immunization by health department, where injection by syringe is one of the method. It’s simple to use it, just apply onion peel on area that have been injected. Leave it for 20 minutes or more, then wash it off.

3. Boost immune system and overall body health

Because of its antioxidants, flavonoids, and quercetin, onion peels is believed to be beneficial for overall body health. How does it affect your health?

Onion peel utilizes the contained phytochemicals to remove free radicals in the body. As we already knew, free radicals is the culprit of many diseases. So, it’s not bad of an idea to get rid of them. Please be aware you can’t eat them raw. Some people may not like the taste.

4. Stall the aging process

If you are afraid being look older than you are, don’t worry. There are many ways to go, but using onion may be inexpensive (compared to modern and medical skin care) for your budget.

All you have to do is gather some onion, then peel the peel away, add it to your healthy diet (must be processed first) and let the dietary fibre in the onion peel do the rest.

5. Maintain skin elasticity

Again, because of its high fibre properties, onion peel is good for skin elasticity. Resulting in fresh-looking skin.

8. Maintain a healthy eye

A study has been conducted and resulting in a report saying onion peel has positive effect to eye’s health. Antioxidants in onion peel provide necessary nutrition for eye, thereby lowering the risk of macular degeneration and eye diseases.

9. It helps remove acne 

Many factors may cause the acne to occur. Air pollution, dirt, genetic, excess facial oil production, self-destructive diet, and bad habit are several of them causes. To minimize the chance of this happening, use onion peel. It contains many antioxidants which helpful against external factors influencing your body.

Remember to not eat it raw. Process it first, either by transforming it into a herbal tea or mix it in your cuisines.

10. It heals or prevent gastric ulcers

Onion peel contains many substances with anti-bacteria properties. As most ulcers cases are often caused by bacteria infection (Heliobacter pylori), onion peel is a good counter againts them.

Free radicals may also causes ulcer symptoms, but this is nothing to worry about, as onion peel contains antioxidants. Overall, this organic waste will make excellent supply of antioxidants.

11. Increase bone density, promote a good posture

According to a study held in Switzerland, consumption of dry onion (the peel included) has shown to increase bone density and mineral in rats by over 17% and over 13% respectively. In contrast to the rats without onion consumption.

This discovery suggests that onion peel may helps protect against osteoporosis in the later age, maintain dental health, and prevent bone-related diseases. In addition, a healthy and strong bones may lead to a good body posture. But, do not rely too much on onion peel, watch your habit and do some exercises. This way your posture will be more improved.

12. Protects body against many diseases

This is another health benefits of onion peels. Its healing properties is so good that it can helps protect against many diseases, for example : breast cancer, asthma, toothache, fever, etc. Quercetin contributes more than half portion of onion peel healing properties.

13. It prevents diseases caused by bacteria infections

If your are an outdoor person, you are an easy target to bacteria infection, as it can infects you through ways that only possible once you’re outside (through the air, physical contact with infected animals or humans, bathe in polluted water, etc). Fortunately, you don’t have to worry as long as you consume onion peel, due to its anti-bacteria chemicals.

Cautions!

We suggest you not to eat onion peel raw, as the taste can be awful. Better make it into tea or pour it down to your cuisines. And don’t forget to wash it off before until you sure it’s clean.