The Grinch diet: Onions go viral as potential cure for respiratory viruses but experts remain skeptical

23 Dec 2022 --- The social media platform TikTok has set trends for food, nutrition and overall lifestyle and, most recently, drinking water infused with onions. Due to its antioxidant and nutritional value, it is said to be beneficial for the immune system, which has sparked skeptical reactions among experts. Although onions are not considered dangerous, experts warn of the spread of misinformation while highlighting an overall lack of education on food.

The trend says that if you pour cold water over yellow or red chopped onions and let it sink for ten to twelve hours before consuming, you will have an effective drink to treat respiratory viruses.

The information spread has fueled reactions from dieticians, doctors and experts.

“I’m unaware of any scientifically proven studies showing any benefit for colds or respiratory symptoms. I don’t think that people should expect that they’ll be able to improve colds or flu with just onions,” Dr. Jason Nagata, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, told Today.

Raw onions are highly acidic, which may bring uncomfortable symptoms such as a distressed stomach.“Some people may subjectively experience some benefit from onion water, but in terms of the rigorous scientific research showing that onions can help with a cold or flu or other respiratory symptoms, there is not the same level of data to show that,” he added.

Flavonoids, vitamins and minerals
The National Onion Association (NOA) says that onions are a good source of folic acid and dietary fiber while high in vitamin C, iron and calcium. They also have a high protein quality, low sodium, and no fat and contain quercetin – a flavonoid.

“Antioxidants are compounds that help delay or slow the oxidative damage to cells and tissue of the body. Studies have indicated that quercetin helps eliminate free radicals in the body and inhibit low-density lipoprotein oxidation – an important reaction in atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. This will help protect and regenerate vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant) and inactivate the harmful effects of chelate metal ions,” says the NOA.

Even though onions serve a lot of benefits to the human body, raw onions are highly acidic, which may bring uncomfortable symptoms such as a distressed stomach.

Experts have agreed that drinking onion water probably is not harmful while encouraging consumers to consult a doctor before trying the trend.

TikTok information spreadContent on TikTok relating to food, nutrition and weight perpetuates a “toxic diet culture” among teens and young adults, according to a study.
Earlier this year, following the US Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v Wade, women turned to herbal alternatives for abortion, accelerated by misinformation spread on TikTok.

Additionally, research from the University of Vermont, US, found that the most viewed content on TikTok relating to food, nutrition and weight perpetuates a “toxic diet culture” among teens and young adults. The authors further stressed that expert voices are largely missing from the conversation. 

Another expert warning on a previous TikTok food trend was “dry scooping,” where teenagers and young adults put a scoop of pure pre-workout powder into their mouth, followed by a few sips of water or liquid. Researchers urged regulators in the food industry to help fight the trend taking off on TikTok, as inhalation of the powder can cause damage to the respiratory tract and lungs.

By Beatrice Wihlander

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