Is Red Onion Healthier than White?

Onions have been used for centuries and are quite known for their nutritional benefits. They’re loaded with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  Onion also has many compounds that have anti-carcinogenic properties.

There are many varieties of onions, including red, yellow, and white. Which, however, is more beneficial to your health, red or white onions?

Many people believe that red and white onions are only different in aspects of how they look and taste, but when you compare their nutritional attributes, red onions have greater health advantages than white onions.

The texture and flavor of red and white onions are quite similar to one another. They have a little sweetness and a crisp crunch that make the mouth feel refreshed. White onions are a good choice in gravies, broths, and stocks since they have a thinner shell and flesh compared to red onions. Red onions have a crunchy texture, while white onion has more papery.

Nutritional Differences between Red Onions and White Onions:

Red onion and white onion are not only different in color and texture but they have many nutritional differences like calories, vitamins, minerals, and fiber content. These nutritional benefits make these two varieties of onion apart from each other and can be beneficial for various health conditions.

Caloric Content:

Both red and white onion are low-caloric foods and thus can be used in weight loss treatments. But if we compare the calories of red and white onion, there is a slight difference. The caloric content of 100g of raw red onion is 37 kcal while the white onion contains slightly more calories of 42 kcal per 100g of serving.

Macronutrient Content:

The content of macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are also different in both red and white onions. The red onion contains more protein and fat content while the white onion is rich in carbohydrates and dietary fibers. But both onions can be a part of a healthy diet plan.

Micronutrient Content:

The micronutrient content makes the diet healthy and different for various health issues. So choosing foods that contain balanced micronutrients is necessary for healthy meal planning. Both red and white onions have good amounts of micronutrients but they are slightly different from each other in nutrients like calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, zinc, and vitamin C.

Vitamin and Mineral Comparison between Red Onion vs. White Onion

Nutrient Per 50g	Red Onion	White Onion
Iron	0.25mg	0.14
Calcium	12.5mg	7.5mg
Phosphorus	7mg	17mg
Potassium	60.5mg	91mg
Sodium	3mg	0.5mg
Zinc	0.12mg	0.1mg
Vitamin C	3mg	4.1mg

Conclusion

Onions are simply amazing. They are the key elements in many dishes. Without onions, any recipe is incomplete. In addition to improving food’s flavor, onions are quite important for improving your health.

It all comes down to the food you want to make and the taste you want to attain. Both types of onion are low in sulfur and have many benefits. But if you want a healthier option, red onion is best for you!

Check the Onion Pie recipe

Onion Pie

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