Have you ever found yourself craving onions for no apparent reason? Maybe you just can’t get enough of onion rings, onion soup, or onion dip Or maybe you just want to munch on a raw onion like an apple. If this sounds familiar, you might be wondering what’s going on with your taste buds and your body. Is craving onions normal? Is it healthy? What does it mean?
Why Am I Craving Onions?
Craving onion is very common now a days and for it we have researched and the get 3 reasons for it.
- Sulfur Deficiency
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Nutritional Deficiency
Read below the more about these deficiencies in details.
Reason #1: You Need More Sulfur
One of the most common reasons why people crave onions is that they are deficient in sulfur, a mineral that is essential for many bodily functions. Sulfur is involved in the synthesis of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, hormones, and antioxidants. It also helps maintain the integrity of your skin, hair, nails, joints, and connective tissues.
Onions are one of the richest sources of sulfur in the plant kingdom, along with garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots. These vegetables belong to the allium family, which is known for its pungent flavor and aroma. When you eat onions, you get a dose of sulfur that your body can use to support various processes and prevent diseases.
Some signs that you might be low in sulfur include:
- – Brittle nails and hair
- – Dry skin and eczema
- – Joint pain and inflammation
- – Poor wound healing and infection
- – Low energy and fatigue
- – Mood swings and depression
- – Reduced immunity and allergies
If you suspect that you are sulfur-deficient, you might want to increase your intake of onions and other allium vegetables. You can also get sulfur from animal sources such as eggs, meat, fish, dairy, and poultry. However, be careful not to overdo it, as too much sulfur can cause unpleasant side effects such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and bad breath.
Reason #2: You Have a Hormonal Imbalance
Another possible reason why you crave onions is that you have a hormonal imbalance that affects your appetite and your taste preferences. Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate various aspects of your physiology and behavior, such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, mood, and stress.
Some hormones that can influence your cravings for onions include:
Estrogen: This is the main female sex hormone that controls the menstrual cycle, fertility, and sexual development. Estrogen levels fluctuate throughout the month and can affect your appetite and cravings. Some women may crave onions before or during their periods, when estrogen levels are low. Onions contain phytoestrogens, which are plant compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Eating onions may help balance your hormones and ease symptoms such as mood swings, cramps, headaches, and acne.
Testosterone: This is the main male sex hormone that controls muscle mass, bone density, libido, and sperm production. Testosterone levels also vary throughout the day and can affect your hunger and cravings. Some men may crave onions in the morning or after a workout, when testosterone levels are high. Onions contain allicin, which is a compound that boosts testosterone production and enhances sexual performance. Eating onions may help increase your strength, stamina, and virility.
Cortisol: This is the stress hormone that helps you cope with challenging situations by increasing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and heart rate. Cortisol levels are normally higher in the morning and lower at night, but they can spike when you are under physical or emotional stress. Cortisol can also affect your appetite and cravings by stimulating or suppressing your hunger hormones.
Some people may crave onions when they are stressed or anxious because onions have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Eating onions may help calm your nerves and lower your cortisol levels.
If you think that your hormones are out of whack, you might want to consult with your doctor or a nutritionist to find out the best way to balance them naturally. You might also want to avoid foods that can disrupt your hormones, such as sugar, caffeine, alcohol, soy, dairy, gluten, and processed foods.
Reason #3: You Have a Nutritional Deficiency
A third possible reason why you crave onions is that you have a nutritional deficiency that makes you seek out certain foods that can provide you with the nutrients you need. Onions are not only rich in sulfur, but also in other vitamins and minerals that are essential for your health.
Some of the nutrients that onions can offer include:
Vitamin C: This is a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C also supports your immune system, collagen production, wound healing, and iron absorption. Vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy, a disease characterized by bleeding gums, loose teeth, anemia, and skin problems. Some people may crave onions when they have a cold or a flu because onions can boost their vitamin C intake and help them fight off infections.
Vitamin B6: This is a water-soluble vitamin that is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Vitamin B6 also helps produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which regulate your mood, sleep, and appetite. Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause symptoms such as depression, irritability, insomnia, and appetite loss. Some people may crave onions when they are feeling low or depressed because onions can increase their vitamin B6 intake and help them feel happier and more relaxed.
Folate: This is another water-soluble vitamin that is important for DNA synthesis, cell division, and red blood cell production. Folate also helps prevent birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly in pregnant women. Folate deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia, a condition where the red blood cells are large and immature. Some people may crave onions when they are pregnant or anemic because onions can boost their folate intake and help them prevent or treat these conditions.
Potassium: This is a mineral that helps maintain fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and blood pressure. Potassium also helps prevent kidney stones, osteoporosis, and stroke. Potassium deficiency can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and high blood pressure. Some people may crave onions when they are dehydrated or have low blood pressure because onions can increase their potassium intake and help them restore their electrolyte balance.
If you suspect that you have a nutritional deficiency, you might want to get tested by your doctor or a nutritionist to find out what nutrients you are lacking and how to supplement them properly. You might also want to eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, Vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and animal products.
Craving Onions During Pregnancy:
Craving onions during pregnancy could be a sign that your body is deficient in nutrients like protein, fat, and carbohydrates which are very necessary for the proper growth of the baby. Mood swings might be a reason behind cravings and onion contain Carbohydrates that stimulate the creation of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that uplifts the mood.
In this situation, women need an extra amount of these nutrients furthermore onion is full of benefits and also gives prevention from many diseases. It is a fiber-rich food that keeps your body fit. Due to hormonal changes, many women crave it because they miss the unique texture of onion.
Why Am I Craving Onion All of a Sudden?
As mentioned earlier onion is a great source of nutrients like protein, fats, and fibers and it’s possible you are lacking in these nutrients that’s why you crave onion all of a sudden. It is probably due to the unique taste and aroma of the onion because it is used in many dishes to give a unique flavor.
Include onion in your food to satisfy your urge further it is also valuable for your health. It contains protein which is part of a healthy diet. Onion considers a fiber-rich and excellent source of carbohydrates.
How to Stop Craving Onion?
As we can see, the onion is a pack of nutrients and other essential vitamins and minerals; if your body lacks these, it will cause onion cravings. If you want to stop craving it you have to eat enough amount of onion in your diet it may help to stop craving it.
Additionally, you can eat other alternatives to the onion that provide the same nutrient to your body such as 1. Onion powder 2. Onion flakes 3. Onion salt 4. Scallions 5. Chives 6. Chinese onion 7. Leeks 8. Fennel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions that people have about onion cravings and their answers.
Q: Is it bad to eat too many onions?
A: Onions are generally safe to eat in moderation, but eating too many of them can cause some problems such as:
Indigestion: Onions contain fructans, which are a type of carbohydrate that can be hard to digest for some people. Fructans can cause gas, bloating, cramping and diarrhea in people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or fructose malabsorption.
Bad breath: Onions contain sulfur compounds that give them their distinctive smell and taste. These compounds can linger in your mouth and on your breath for hours after you eat them. Brushing your teeth, flossing and using mouthwash can help reduce the odor, but not completely eliminate it.
Allergy: Onions are one of the most common food allergens that can trigger an immune response in some people. Symptoms of onion allergy include itching, swelling, hives, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction that affects breathing and blood pressure).
If you experience any of these problems after eating onions, you might want to limit your intake or avoid them altogether.
Q: Can I eat raw onions?
A: Raw onions have more health benefits than cooked ones because they retain more of their nutrients and phytochemicals. However, raw onions also have more drawbacks than cooked ones because they are more potent and irritating. Raw onions can cause:
Burning sensation: Raw onions contain enzymes that react with the air and produce a chemical called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This chemical is responsible for making you cry when you chop onions, but it can also irritate your mouth, throat and stomach when you eat them.
Blood thinning: Raw onions contain compounds that inhibit platelet aggregation and prevent blood clots. This can be beneficial for people who have cardiovascular diseases or high blood pressure, but it can also increase the risk of bleeding in people who take blood thinners or have bleeding disorders.
Thyroid problems: Raw onions contain goitrogens, which are substances that interfere with the production of thyroid hormones. This can cause hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) or goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) in people who have iodine deficiency or thyroid disorders.
If you want to eat raw onions, you might want to choose sweet varieties such as Vidalia or Walla Walla over pungent ones such as red or yellow. You might also want to slice them thinly or soak them in water or vinegar to reduce their bite.
Synopsis:
In this whole discussion, we elaborated on the craving for onions and the reason behind that, furthermore we also talk about the other situation in which you crave onions. Overall onion is very beneficial and keeps us healthy and fit. Onion contains protein fats and fiber and is unique due to the fresh aroma further in many dishes onion is used to give a desirable flavor that attracts many people to crave it. I hope this information is helpful for you and clarifies your thoughts and doubts regarding onion cravings.
