Is it possible to eat onions with type 2 diabetes mellitus: benefits and harms, consumption rates
Onions are a vegetable with a rich chemical composition and numerous beneficial properties. It is actively used not only in cooking, but also in alternative medicine recipes. Being a natural antibiotic, onions help cope with many different diseases, including type 2 diabetes. The main thing is not to abuse the product and use it in accordance with medical recommendations, otherwise you can harm your health.
Composition and properties of onions
The vegetable consists of 86% water. With a sufficient amount of saccharides and carbohydrates, it contains almost no fiber, organic acids, fats, starch, proteins and pectin.
The chemical formula contains:
- zinc – 0.85 mg;
- copper – 85 mcg;
- chromium – 2 mcg;
- boron – 200 mcg;
- aluminum – 400 mcg;
- rubidium – 476 mcg;
- iron – 0.8 mg;
- iodine – 3 mcg;
- manganese – 0.23 mg;
- fluoride – 31 mcg;
- nickel – 3 mcg;
- cobalt – 5 mcg;
- sulfur – 65 mg;
- potassium – 175 mg;
- calcium – 31 mg;
- sodium – 4 mg;
- phosphorus – 58 mg;
- magnesium – 14 mg;
- chlorine – 25 mg;
- vitamin PP – 0.2 mg;
- B1 – 0.05 mg;
- B2 – 0.02 mg;
- B5 – 0.1 mg;
- B6 – 0.1 mg;
- B9 – 9 mcg;
- E – 0.2 mg;
- C – 10 mg.
Composition of biochemical elements in onions varies - this is influenced by climatic conditions, the soil on which the vegetable is grown, agrotechnical characteristics and variety.
The nutritional value:
disaccharides and monosaccharides – 8.1 g;- carbohydrates – 8.2 g;
- fats – 0.2 g;
- proteins – 1.4 g;
- ash – 1 g;
- organic acids – 0.2 g;
- dietary fiber – 3 g;
- starch – 0.1 g;
- water – 86 g;
- calorie content – 41 kcal.
Interesting things on the site:
Benefits and harms
In alternative medicine there are many recipes based on onion juice, decoctions, and pulp. The vegetable has many positive properties:
- has an anthelmintic effect;
- being a natural antibiotic, it kills bacteria, germs and fungi;
- has a diuretic effect;
- normalizes the production of digestive juice;
- allows you to get rid of mental and nervous stress.
A negative reaction of the body is observed with excessive consumption of the product – exacerbation of gastrointestinal, liver and kidney diseases, increased blood pressure.
This is interesting! In Ancient Egypt, it was believed that onions could give eternal life. It was placed in the pharaohs' ears or eye sockets.
Can you eat onions if you have type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes most often develops in overweight people. The pathology is characterized by insufficient absorption of glucose with normal or excessive insulin production.
Attention! Type 2 diabetes develops gradually and is almost asymptomatic.
Patients are recommended a special diet. There are a number of permitted and even mandatory products, including onions.
Its glycemic index averages 15. For different varieties of vegetables, processed and fresh, the indicators range from 10 to 20 units.
Therapeutic effect
Since the second type diabetes mellitus characterized by low sensitivity of cells to insulin, intake of chromium-containing products is mandatory. The mineral increases the level of sensitivity and improves the absorption of sugar. Onions contain a sufficient amount of this element - 2 mcg per 100 g.
Chromium helps lower blood sugar and reduce the amount of triglycerides (fats) in the blood.
Norms for using onions for illness
Onions are a product that requires strict dosage upon admission. For a person diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the daily dose should not be higher than 150 g. When consuming a decoction of the husk, it is allowed to take up to 0.5 liters. To improve the taste, it is recommended to dilute it with regular tea.
If the decoction is taken as a medicine, it is drunk from 14 to 28 days, followed by a month-long break. Then the course is repeated.
Which form is best to eat?
You can eat vegetables in any form, but better to bake.
Good for diabetics:
- shallot. It has a delicate and soft taste, fragrant aroma. Additionally, it has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Bulb. A natural antibiotic, improves the functioning of the endocrine system, removes waste, toxins, and cholesterol. Feathers have high levels of antioxidants and carotene.
- Leek. It does not have a strong aroma, is rich in minerals and vitamins, and has a positive effect on the circulatory system.
- Batun. Contains much more vitamin C than onion - 27 mg versus 10 mg. Otherwise the properties are the same. Only feathers are eaten.
Use in folk medicine for type 2 diabetes
There are dozens of effective recipes to lower blood sugar levels. The vegetable is prepared in different ways.
Baked onion
Preparation:
- 5 medium-sized onions, peeled and cut into quarters. Lubricate the slices with sunflower oil (or olive), salt, place in a mold, cover with foil and put in the oven for 30 minutes.
- A large onion is washed and, together with the peel, placed in the oven for half an hour. This baking method is considered ideal.Sugar decreases quickly: results are visible after 2-3 days.
- The vegetable is peeled and placed in the microwave oven whole for approximately 5-7 minutes. The finished product does not taste bitter, does not emit a specific odor, and is soft. It is recommended to consume one onion per day.
Infusion
Preparation:
- Peel 4-5 onions, chop finely and pour 1.5 liters of boiled, cooled water. Drink 1/3 tbsp. 3 times a day for 20 minutes. before meals Course – 14 days once a year. Every day, add 1 tbsp to the jar. boiled water.
- Chop a small onion, pour 1 tbsp. water and leave overnight. In the morning, strain, add 1 tbsp. l. buckwheat flour, mix. Drink throughout the day before meals.
Onion juice
0.5 l of onion juice pour 0.5 l of alcohol 96%. Take 1 tbsp every day for a month. l., diluted with ½ tbsp. water. After a month's break, repeat the course of treatment.
Onion peel
A handful of husks is thrown into 1 liter of boiling water and boiled for about 10 minutes.. After cooling, the broth is filtered. Drink ¼ tbsp between meals 2-3 times a day.
Take note:
Contraindications
It is not recommended to eat onions or use products made from them when:
- individual intolerance;
- allergic reactions;
- asthma;
- heart failure;
- ulcers of the intestines and stomach;
- gastritis;
- kidney and liver diseases.
Reviews
Diabetics who take onions for health purposes note a pleasant taste and a lasting healing effect.
Anna: “I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes just a year ago. In addition to the usual treatment, there are always baked onions on my table. Really helps keep sugar levels in check.".
Inna: “I always bake onions in the oven with their skins completely on.And the taste is pleasant, and the effect is much better than from peeled and cut vegetables. And it’s not difficult".
Svetlana: “Once a year I drink an infusion of onion with the permission of my doctor. As for baked vegetables, they are almost always in my diet. Since starting additional treatment and the onion diet, I began to feel much better.”.
Conclusion
For type 2 diabetes mellitus, onions improve the absorption of glucose by the body's cells. The daily norm is 150 g. However, the vegetable has a number of contraindications. These include gastrointestinal diseases in the acute stage, asthma, heart failure, etc. Before starting treatment, be sure to consult your doctor.