Onions prevent type 2 diabetes

A study recently published by researchers of S Chen at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, Chin, suggests that onion, scientifically known as Allium sepa can be effective at preventing or treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Foods and dietary supplements are desired for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus as long term use of conventional antidiabetic medications may cause adverse effects even though they are effective in the management of blood sugar.

Onion has been used traditionally to treat different diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus. Sulfur compounds in onion including S-methylcysteine and flavonoids such as quercetin are considered mainly responsible for the hypoglycemic activity of onion.

Indeed, some studies suggest those sulfur compounds are antidiabetic. The review says S-methylcysteine and flavonoids can not only decrease the serum levels of glucose, lipids, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation, but also increase antioxidant enzyme activity and insulin secretion.

Previous studies reveal extracts of onion render hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects by “normalising the activities of liver hexokinase, glucose 6-phosphatase and HMG coenzyme-A reductase” according to the review.

The sufficient hypoglycemic activity of sliced onion has been demonstrated even in preliminarily clinical trials of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus indicating that onion may be used to treat diabetes.

Another report published in 2013 showed that onion is commonly used in Egypt to treat diabetes mellitus type 2.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in many cases are very easy to prevent. Indian studies suggest that taking

curcumin supplement and spirulina can help prevent diabetes. Many herbs can be used to prevent or treat the disease.