According to some social media users, onion water, turned into a cold drink, can be an effective remedy against winter ailments. But before rushing to the market, let’s look into the supposed benefits of the bulb.
While onions make us cry, once cut into small pieces and infused in cold water, it would prevent us from having a runny nose. This is what a widely popular advice on TikTok claims. According to several users, drinking onion water can help fight winter respiratory infections, flu, and colds.
The hashtag #onionwater on the social network has 38.3 million views and features hundreds of videos of internet users preparing the mixture. The recipe is simple: cut raw onions (red or yellow) into small pieces, then put them in a jar and fill it with water. Let the mixture rest overnight in the refrigerator.
A Completely False Shortcut
Not surprisingly, there is no scientific evidence to confirm the effectiveness of onions against the flu or cold, regardless of how it’s prepared. No medication has been developed from this product, as there is no scientific text confirming its therapeutic virtues for treating these infections.
However, the promotion of this bulb is not new. Since ancient times, it has been cut, boiled, soaked in honey, or even placed under the bed in the hope of warding off winter ailments. Onions, like garlic, tea, or berries, are known for their richness in antioxidants, precisely flavonoids. While clinical studies show that these substances can prevent a virus from replicating, it is a completely false shortcut used by today’s TikTokers.
A Mild Effect on Symptoms
Although onion water consumed every morning does not prevent illness, the drink would have short-term effects on flu symptoms. Its strong smell has the same effect as Vicks VapoRub, namely opening nasal passages and providing an immediate sensation of decongestion. But this is only temporary, lasting only a few minutes.
In principle, this water-based preparation is based on a strict health recommendation: hydration. Faced with a flu-like condition, patients are always advised to drink water to fluidify secretions. The appearance of fever increases sweating and can lead to dehydration that needs to be compensated. Onion water contributes to this, as the product itself contains 80% water.
Contraindications
For (brave) drinkers of the mixture, a question remains: if consumed in large quantities, can the drink be harmful to the body? What is dangerous is to believe that onion water is sufficient for our recovery. The only effective remedy for illness remains patience. In the case of a cold, the condition is often fleeting, but if it persists without improvement, it is necessary to consult rather than stubbornly following a grandmother’s remedy that can potentially lead to a loss of chance in a fragile person.
Moreover, besides giving bad breath, onions can cause digestive discomfort. If one is sensitive, or even suffers from gastric reflux, onions are not recommended, at the risk of aggravating the situation.
For those who digest it well, the general practitioner does not invite us to ban the bulb from our plate. Onions remain interesting from a nutritional point of view and protect the cardiovascular system, but should be consumed in moderation for the sake of one’s table neighbor.