Don’t Throw Away Your Onion Peels! They Can Reverse Signs of Aging, Cut Down Inflammation, and Lower Blood Pressure
When it comes to cooking with onions, chances are you throw away or compost the thin, translucent onion skin. However, the next time you’re tempted to just toss it, you might want to give it a second thought, because the secret to healthy skin, less inflammation, and lower blood press could be in something called onion peel tea.
What is onion peel tea?
While others have brought up the benefits of onion peels in the past, board-certified Mamina Turegano, MD and her mother recently popularized their onion peel tea concoction on TikTok by talking about how it promotes overall health and showing how to make it.
What are the benefits of onion peel?
Dr. Turegano briefly dove into some of the research, but onion peels are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which keep our cells strong and resistant to damage that can happen as we get older.
However, onion peel contains one particular flavonoid called quercetin that’s long been recognized for its numerous anti-aging properties. Quercetin is found in fruits, vegetables, and grains, and it fends off free radicals, the unstable molecules that can lead to cell damage over time.
When it comes to health benefits, quercetin really does it all. It keeps skin smooth, supple, and wrinkle-free by preventing sun damage from UV rays. Plus, studies have shown that this powerful flavonoid is key in lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation and allergies, cutting down your risk of Alzheimer’s or dementia, and preventing other cancers.
How do you make onion peel tea?
Brewing up a cup of onion peel tea couldn’t be simpler. Here’s the three-step process that Dr. Turegano mapped out. You can use red, white, or yellow onions for this process:
- Collect your onion skins and wash them thoroughly.
- Place a handful of your onion peels in a pot full of water on medium-high heat. Bring that water to a boil and then let it simmer for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Strain the mixture into a mug so that you don’t get any onion skin bits floating around in your drink.
That’s it!
Now onto the question you definitely want the answer to: Is onion peel tea going to make you feel like you’re drinking a raw onion? Not so much!
The duo describes the flavor as very mild onion water, but you can also add other juices, spices, and ingredients to even out the taste if you’re not a fan. Lemon and turmeric are great options that provide plenty of their own health benefits. You could also try incorporating your other favorite tea using the hot onion peel water. It sounds like it’s worth a shot!
This article originally appeared on our sister site, First for Women.
