Onions Have Antibacterial Properties
Onions contain, among all foods, the highest amount of an antioxidant flavonoid called “quercetin”. Quercetin can help fight bacteria such as Streptococci that have a large role in causing tooth decay. Quercetin has been found to be most highly concentrated near the onion’s skin; thus, to take maximize the advantages of the health benefits of onions, it is advisable to remove as little of the onion’s outer layers as possible. Furthermore, raw and newly sliced onions have also been shown to control the bacteria that cause gingivitis and periodontal disease, thus protecting our gums and the bones close to our teeth.
Therefore, unless you want to nitpick and point out that onions make you cry when you chop them or that they give you bad breath, there’s practically no reason not to incorporate onions in your daily diet. Besides, these problems are easily eliminated by chewing gum while you chop and brushing your teeth after meals (which you should do anyway). The health benefits of onions are simply too great to ignore and miss out on.
