Health - Wellness
What Happens To Your Cholesterol When You Eat Lots Of Onions
By ERIN MARIE
Hypercholesterolemia, a condition characterized by high levels of cholesterol, affects approximately 40% of Americans. It increases the risk of stroke and cardiovascular diseases.
Studies have shown that eating onion can help keep "bad" LDL cholesterol levels down while boosting "good" HDL cholesterol. Onions contain a flavonoid known as quercetin.
According to a 2017 Lipids in Health and Disease study, quercetin enhances cholesterol transfer, reduces cholesterol levels, and improves HDL cholesterol functioning.
Per a 2015 Plant Foods for Human Nutrition study, consuming quercetin-rich onion juice significantly lowered LDL cholesterol levels in patients with mildly high cholesterol.
A 2021 Food Science & Nutrition meta-analysis concluded that onion supplementation lowers bad cholesterol, boosts good cholesterol, and regulates overall cholesterol levels.
Given the high prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in the United States, incorporating onions into your diet could be a simple and effective way to improve cholesterol profiles.