Onion can improve blood circulation

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an important vegetable traditionally used as a food ingredient in the Mediterranean diet that has a high production, domestic, and foreign trade worldwide. It is consumed raw, cooked or processed into different onion products in the daily diet.

Onions are an excellent source of flavonoid antioxidants, which benefit heart health. This vegetable improves circulation by helping arteries and veins widen when blood flow increases.

Onion is rich in quercetin, a strong antioxidant flavonoid that reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. Quercetin present in conjugated form, as quercetin 4‘-O- β -glycopyranoside, quercetin 3,4‘-O- β -diglycopyranoside, and quercetin 3,7,4‘-O- β --triglycopyranoside. These two glucosides and free quercetin are reported to constitute 68% of the total polyphenolic content and over 85% of the flavonoid content in the onion bulb.

Studies have indicated that quercetin helps to eliminate free radicals in the body, to inhibit low-density lipoprotein oxidation, to protect and regenerate vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant), and to inactivate the harmful effects of chelate metal ions.

In a 30-day study in 23 men, taking 4.3 grams of onion extract daily significantly improved blood flow and artery dilation after meals (J Am Coll Nutr. 2013;32(3):160-4).
Onion can improve blood circulation