Can Onions Be the Next Big Diabetes Superfood?
Type 2 diabetes, a condition marked by chronically high blood sugar due to the body’s reduced insulin activity, affects millions across the globe. While medication such as metformin remains a cornerstone of treatment, diet and lifestyle play an equally crucial role. Recent findings suggest that onions may offer powerful benefits for people with diabetes. In fact, a study presented at The Endocrine Society’s 97th annual meeting showed that onion extract, when combined with metformin, lowered blood sugar levels in diabetic rats by nearly 50%. Remarkably, the same extract also improved cholesterol levels, suggesting that onions may serve as a natural aid in diabetes management.
How Onions May Support Diabetes Management
Research indicates that onions can play a dual role:
- Blood sugar regulation: Onion extract significantly reduced high blood sugar levels in experimental studies.
- Cholesterol control: The same extract lowered total cholesterol, particularly at higher doses (400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg).
Together, these effects suggest that onions may help improve overall metabolic health while reducing risks linked to heart disease, a common complication of diabetes.
Easy Ways to Add Onions to Your Meals
Onions are versatile, low in calories, and packed with flavour, making them simple to include in everyday diets. Patients with diabetes can try:
- Eating them raw in salads or sandwiches for a fresh crunch.
- Cooking them into soups, stir-fries, or curries to boost both flavour and nutrition.
- Grilling or roasting them as a side dish.
- Blending them into sauces, dips, or spreads for daily use.
This wide range of options makes onions a convenient and budget-friendly way to support better blood sugar and cholesterol management.
Conclusion
While the study was carried out on diabetic rats and more human research is needed, the results are promising. Regularly including onions in meals may complement prescribed treatments like metformin, making them a natural, cost-effective addition to a diabetes-friendly lifestyle.
By helping to regulate blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, and enhancing metabolic health, onions may prove to be more than just a flavorful ingredient; they could be a simple dietary ally in the fight against diabetes.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 22 September 2025
- 20:00
