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| - Last Updated on August 12, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
An article published on a media website claims that eating onions can control blood sugar levels. The article recommends that people eat onions daily to drastically reduce sugar levels. We fact-checked and found the claim to be Mostly False.
The Claim
An article titled, ‘Control diabetes with raw onions!’ was published on a media website named hariome.com. The article recommends people eat 50 grams of onion daily as it is equivalent to 20 units of insulin.
Fact Check
Can onions regulate blood sugar levels?
Not enough proof. There is limited scientific evidence to suggest that onions can regulate blood sugar levels. Onions are a low glycemic index food. It means that they release sugar into the bloodstream more slowly than high glycemic index foods. This helps prevent sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. However, we need more research to fully understand the potential benefits of consuming raw onions for blood sugar control.
We even found that the relationship between onions and diabetes is complex. There are many factors contributing to the prevalence of diabetes in India which mere eating onions cannot resolve. These factors primarily include genetic predisposition, lifestyle changes (sedentary habits and unhealthy diets) and obesity. Other factors can be include gestational diabetes, socioeconomic factors, and an aging population. We do not know the impact of eating onions on these factors.
Diabetologist Dr Ritesh Bansal explains, “Onion has a low glycemic index, low carbohydrate content, and high in antioxidants. All those complement sugar control. Also, onions contain quercetin, a flavonoid that improves insulin sensitivity, a major factor in diabetic patients. So onion though not behaving like insulin certainly have a positive impact in controlling sugar level”.
Should you eat raw onion to control blood sugar levels?
Not exactly. While there is some limited evidence suggesting that consuming raw onions may help regulate blood sugar levels due to their low glycemic index, it is not a guaranteed solution for blood sugar control. Managing blood sugar levels involves a comprehensive approach that includes a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and potentially medication or insulin as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
To understand the claim better, we referred to interesting findings presented at The Endocrine Society’s 97th annual meeting. These findings suggested that an extract derived from onion bulbs, when administered alongside the anti-diabetic drug Metformin in rats, exhibited a significant ability to reduce high blood sugar and total cholesterol levels. While this discovery hints at the potential of onions as a superfood capable of lowering blood sugar levels by approximately 50 percent, it is important to note that it is not yet ready for widespread implementation in diabetes treatment.
Furthermore, it is worth emphasizing that this study specifically investigated the effects of onion extract in combination with existing medication, rather than relying solely on onions for blood sugar normalization. Moreover, the study in question was relatively small in scale, underscoring the need for further research to comprehensively comprehend the potential benefits and underlying mechanisms of onion extract for managing diabetes.
Nutritionist Kamna Chauhan informs, “Eating raw onion can help to control blood sugar level. In the absence of proper care, erratic blood sugar levels may lead to kidney failure, heart complications, and obesity. Some studies have shown that raw onion can help to control our blood sugar level as it contains multiple flavonoids which is a class of antioxidants. Besides this, onions are high in fiber, low in carbohydrates as well as glycemic index. However, people must not replace it with their prescribed medical treatment”.
Onions are often associated with curing various diseases. We have previously debunked eating 2 slices of onions a day treat depression.
What are the dangers of maintaining blood sugar levels at home and not seeking medical advice?
Seeking medical advice is crucial for maintaining blood glucose levels. Not seeking medical advice while trying to maintain blood sugar levels at home can be dangerous, leading to inadequate monitoring, misinterpretation of results, improper medication management, delayed detection of complications, lack of individualized treatment, and missed educational opportunities.
Besides this, consuming large amounts of raw onions may cause digestive discomfort in some individuals. A fake social media post also says that consuming onion in the evening cause piles.
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