Is Onion Good for Acid Reflux? Let’s Explore the Truth!

By - Haleema Sadia

Onion is one of the most popular vegetables in almost all cuisines. It is used in cooking different dishes. People also eat it raw in the form of salads. Onion has a sharp taste and a strong aroma. Mostly, people consume onions to enjoy their health benefits.

 But is onion good for acid reflux?

The fruits and vegetables that are very difficult to digest cause acid reflux in a lot of people. The chance of getting gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux increases when the particular food item is raw. So, whether onions are good for acid reflux or not depends on how you are consuming onions.

The article is going to give you a complete description of acid reflux caused by eating onion and how to prevent it.

So, let us find out the interesting facts that make onions good or bad for your health.

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Onions Nutrition Facts

A 100 grams of onion contains only 40 calories. The following table demonstrates the nutritional information about onions.

This is the list of healthy nutrients present in onions. 

Also, when people ask, is spring onion good for acid reflux? It depends on the other ingredients you add to spring onions. 

Is Onion Good for Acid Reflux?

Onion is a vegetable that is considered acidic because it is hard to digest. Mostly, people ask, is raw onion good for acid reflux? The answer is No! Raw onions are particularly not good for acid reflux.

When you eat raw onion, it stays in your stomach for a long time. Hence, it continues producing gastric acid. 

This large quantity of gastric acid needed to digest raw onion can cause acid reflux. 

So, is cooked onion good for acid reflux? It depends on how you cook it. Mostly, the onion is half cooked in pickles with a lot of vinegar. That becomes more acidic and can aggravate acid reflux or heartburn.

People also ask, is onion soup good for acid reflux? Yes, it can be good in a moderate amount. You can enjoy onion soup if the onion is properly boiled or cooked in it. 

If you’re already suffering from acid reflux, it is better to avoid eating raw onion or green onion. As your stomach is already in trouble, eating onions can increase the acidic content in your stomach.

The foods that we consume affect our bodies immensely. Some can lead to acid reflux, while some can cure. For example, Apple juice is good for acid reflux. 

But, onions can have different effects. So, before consuming onion it is best to know its benefits and side effects. 

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Is Onion Healthy? Benefits & Side Effects of Eating Onion!

Apart from being hard to digest, onions are full of nutrients including vitamins and minerals. 

Onions have a lot of varieties and colors. 

Onion and garlic together are considered very effective for medicinal purposes. They have various health benefits.

So, is onion and garlic good for acid reflux? If you’re pregnant or already having gastric or digestive issues, garlic and onions are not good for you as they can have adverse effects.

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So, apart from having health benefits, onions also have some disadvantages. Following are the common health benefits and drawbacks of eating onions.

Benefits of Eating Onions:

As onion is enriched with vitamins and minerals, hence it has a lot of health benefits. Some of the common health impacts of onion are the following:

• Onions contain phytochemicals that prevent the risk of cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

• Onion has a great ability to reduce your blood sugar levels, hence it can be effective in diabetes.

• Onion has antibacterial properties so it can prevent infections and diseases caused by bacteria.

• Onions can prevent osteoporosis and can increase bone mass.

• Onion has compounds that can reduce nasal congestion and has antihistamine properties.

• Onion can keep you hydrated for a long time and can brighten your skin.

• Onion tea is a quick remedy for cold and flu as it has the properties to clear your respiratory pathways.

• Onions contain flavonoids, the compounds that are good for heart health, hence they can prevent cardiovascular disorders.

• Onions have compounds that can prevent blood from coagulation.

• Onions contain vitamins that are good for eye health and can prevent the risk of macular degeneration.

You can enjoy these benefits of onions if you’re not having acid reflux or any digestive disorders. You can eat onion in different ways to experience its health benefits.

Side Effects of Eating Onion:

Although onions have a lot of anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties and it can prevent diseases, they can also have some adverse effects. 

Eating Onion in a large quantity can cause certain health issues that are following:

• Eating Onion can cause vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea in some individuals having stomach issues. Throwing up will reduce acid reflux though, as your stomach is empty afterward!

• Onions can cause certain allergic reactions in some individuals.

• Sulfur present in onions can cause the problem of bad breath.

• Uncontrolled intake of onion can cause acid reflux or heartburn.

• Onions can reduce blood pressure and blood sugar levels and hence can cause problems in people who are taking medications for blood pressure and diabetes.

So, these are the disadvantages of onion due to which eating an excess of onion can not be good for you. 

And also, due to this reason onions are not good for acid reflux.

How to Eat Onions while Preventing Acid Reflux?

Eating raw onions can be dangerous for you as it can increase acid reflux. So, there are certain ways to add onions to your diet if you want to prevent acid reflux. 

Is onion powder good for acid reflux? The answer is yes. As onions cause acid reflux due to the compounds in them that are hard to digest. Onion powder can be a better alternative. As you just have to sprinkle it on different dishes to enjoy the taste of onion in your meal! 

Also, there is a question, Is Onion soup good for acid reflux? As mentioned earlier, Onion soup is good for you. The reason is that onions get soft after boiling and it becomes easier to digest. 

Hence, there is not much acid produced in the stomach to digest onions. 

So, onion powder and onion soups are the best choices to enjoy onions while preventing acid reflux. 

Or you can search for different other recipes that do not contain onion in a raw form but any other form.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Onions acidic?

Onions fall in a mid of alkaline and acidic food on a pH scale. But even then they are acidic. The reason is that the stomach produces more acid in an attempt to digest onions. This excessive acid can cause acid reflux or heartburn.

Is cooked Onion good for acid reflux?

Yes, properly cooked onions are good for you. It will not cause your stomach to produce extra acid. Boiled or cooked onion can be digested easily. Also, its pH is normal for your body systems.

Is green Onion good for acid reflux?

Green onions are more difficult to digest as compared to white or red onions. As green onions are somewhat grassy, they also have cellulose in them that is very difficult for you to digest. Hence, green onions are not good for acid reflux.

Bottom Line

Is onion good for acid reflux? Well, it can be good or bad depending on whether you’re eating it raw or cooked. 

Onions contain carbohydrates that are hard to digest. Hence, there is an extra amount of acidic gastric juice in your stomach. This can cause the gastric contents to reflux back into your esophagus to cause acid reflux. 

Hence, avoid eating raw onions to prevent acid reflux or other stomach problems.