The extract of onion bulb, Allium cepa is found to be strongly associated with helping lower high blood glucose (sugar) and managing diabetes and reducing complications.

Onion flavonoids have been shown to increase insulin secretion by controlling hormonal release from pancreatic cells, which in turn increases the glucose uptake by cells, resulting in greater control of blood glucose levels.

The blood glucose lowering activity of onion may also be due to sulphur-containing compounds that lower glucose levels by competing with insulin for insulin-inactivating sites in the liver, resulting in an increase in free insulin in the blood.

Several studies have also reported that Allium Cepa lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating better glycogen storage.

There is evidence that onion flavonoids could be beneficial by preventing several complications associated with diabetes such as advanced glycation of collagens, which can result in development of cardiovascular complications.

Practice tips

Onions should be included as part of a healthy diabetes eating plan and incorporated into as many meals as possible. This can help with effective blood glucose control and diabetes management.

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Reference

Bordoloi PL, Tiwari M and Dave PH. Anti-diabetic potential of onion: a review. Published May 2020