Scientists at the University of Bonn have made an interesting discovery about red onion skins.
They found that an extract made from the skins may help people who are overweight or obese lower their high blood pressure. This could be very helpful for many people who are looking for natural ways to manage their health.
The key to this discovery is a natural plant compound called quercetin. Quercetin is found in many foods we eat, like fruits, vegetables, seeds, and grains. Red onions, capers, and kale are especially good sources. Quercetin is a bit bitter in taste and is already used in many health supplements, drinks, and food products.
What makes quercetin special is its potential to support heart health. Earlier studies had suggested that it might help reduce high blood pressure, which is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease.
In the new study, researchers focused on people who were overweight or obese and already had signs of high blood pressure. They wanted to find out if quercetin really works. The team worked with 70 volunteers.
Half of them were given a daily supplement containing 162 milligrams of quercetin taken from red onion skin. The other half were given a placebo, which is a harmless substance with no effect. The test lasted for six weeks.
To track how well the supplement worked, the scientists measured each person’s blood pressure before and after the study. They used two methods: regular in-office blood pressure checks and a method called ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, which measures blood pressure over 24 hours while people go about their normal activities.
The results were promising. The people who took quercetin showed a clear drop in their blood pressure compared to those who took the placebo. This effect was seen during both daytime and nighttime readings.
However, the researchers also found that quercetin didn’t change other health markers. It didn’t lower cholesterol or blood sugar, and it didn’t reduce inflammation or oxidative stress, which is a type of cell damage. So, while quercetin helped with blood pressure, it didn’t seem to improve other parts of health in this study.
The main conclusion of the study is simple: taking 162 mg of quercetin every day may help lower blood pressure in people at risk. This means quercetin could be a natural option for people with high blood pressure, especially those who want to avoid medication or try something extra alongside their current treatment.
Other studies have also looked at natural ways to manage blood pressure. For example, some research shows that drinking tea or using herbal supplements may help. There’s also evidence that cutting down on added sugar and making sure you get enough vitamin D can make a difference.
This study was led by Verena Brüll and was published in the British Journal of Nutrition. It shows that simple natural ingredients, like red onion skins, could play a role in protecting our hearts.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that changing blood pressure readings is a hidden sign of heart disease and switching blood pressure drugs may treat the condition better.
For more health information, please read studies about the arm squeeze test: could your blood pressure reading be wrong and bedtime medication more effective for high blood pressure.
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