3 Health Benefits of Onion Peels - Sarmad

Onion peels contain high levels of antioxidants and dietary fiber, and utilizing them helps reduce food waste, according to Health.com.

Health.com emphasized that onion peels are rich in antioxidants, noting that the outer layers of onions contain high concentrations of these compounds. Red onion peels, in particular, are especially rich in anthocyanins, while peels of other onion varieties contain high levels of quercetin.

Both anthocyanins and quercetin play a crucial role in combating free radicals in the body—unstable molecules that can contribute to various diseases when they accumulate.

The site clarified that onion peels are also a rich source of dietary fiber, containing more fiber than the inner layers of the onion, making them a beneficial addition to the diet.

Furthermore, they help reduce food waste, a point underscored by Megan Meyer, PhD, a researcher in nutritional immunology.

Meyer stated, “In some countries, between 300 and 500 kilograms of onion peels are wasted daily, while in the United States, between 30 and 40 percent of total food supplies are wasted. That’s why I love finding new ways to utilize all parts of food.”

She noted that some companies have already begun adopting this approach by incorporating onion peels into certain processed food products, thereby helping to reduce food waste and enhance the nutritional value of these products.