What are the benefits of drinking boiled onion peels?

November 2, 2025 •

3 min read

Onion peels contain significantly higher concentrations of flavonoids, like quercetin, than the edible flesh of the onion. This remarkable fact has led many to explore the health benefits of drinking boiled onion peels as a way to access these potent compounds.

Quick Summary

Boiled onion peels release potent antioxidants like quercetin, offering anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and cardiovascular benefits while also aiding weight management and skin health.

Key Points

Rich in Quercetin: The peels contain a significantly higher concentration of the powerful antioxidant quercetin compared to the onion's edible flesh.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Quercetin's anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce chronic inflammation associated with various conditions.
Supports Heart Health: Regular consumption may help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels by reducing LDL and increasing HDL.
Aids in Weight Management: Studies suggest that quercetin-rich onion peel extract can help reduce body fat and increase resting energy expenditure in overweight and obese individuals.
Promotes Skin Health: The antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E found in the peels can help protect the skin from damage and promote a healthy complexion.
Boosts Immune Function: The vitamin C and antioxidant content supports the immune system and helps protect against seasonal illnesses.
Supports Gut Health: The dietary fiber and prebiotic effects from the peels can promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

The Surprising Power of Onion Peels

Traditionally discarded, onion peels are gaining recognition for their medicinal potential, primarily due to their high concentration of health-promoting compounds. When steeped in hot water, these humble outer skins release a wealth of bioactive ingredients, creating a nutrient-rich infusion. Unlike the pungent flavor of the onion flesh, the tea brewed from the peels has a surprisingly mild, amber-hued, and earthy taste.

The Antioxidant Power of Quercetin

The most celebrated compound found in abundance within onion peels is quercetin, a powerful flavonoid antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect the body's cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals, which are unstable molecules linked to aging and various chronic diseases. This high antioxidant content, especially in red onion peels, helps scavenge these free radicals, offering cellular protection and promoting overall health. Consuming this antioxidant-rich brew can be a simple way to boost your daily intake of these protective compounds.

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Chronic inflammation is a root cause of many health problems, including arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The quercetin in onion peel tea is well-regarded for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, which can help alleviate systemic inflammation over time. By inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes and modulating inflammatory pathways, the compounds released from boiled onion peels can help calm the body's inflammatory response.

Supporting Heart and Metabolic Health

Several studies have pointed to the cardiovascular benefits of quercetin-rich onion peel extract. Drinking an infusion can help improve various markers of metabolic health. Research indicates that components in onion peels may help lower blood pressure, reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. This is partly attributed to the quercetin and sulfur compounds found in the peels, which support vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels) and the regulation of blood lipids. Furthermore, some studies on overweight or obese individuals suggest that quercetin-rich onion peel extract can significantly reduce body fat percentage and body weight, possibly by increasing resting energy expenditure.

Boosting Immunity and Skin Vitality

Onion peels are a good source of vitamins A, C, and E, all of which are vital for a healthy immune system and radiant skin. Vitamin C, in particular, is a powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen immunity and supports wound healing. The combination of vitamins and flavonoids in the tea helps protect skin cells from damage and may contribute to a soft, supple, and wrinkle-free complexion. The anti-inflammatory effects can also help soothe irritated skin, reduce redness, and potentially aid wound healing.

A Table of Comparison: Onion Peel vs. Onion Flesh

While onion flesh is a nutritious addition to any diet, a closer look at the concentration of beneficial compounds reveals why the peels are garnering attention.


Feature	Onion Peel	Onion Flesh
Quercetin Concentration	Significantly higher (25-35 mg/g dry weight)	Significantly lower (4-7 mg/g dry weight)
Antioxidant Activity	Higher antioxidant potential	Good antioxidant potential, but less concentrated
Flavor Profile	Mild, earthy, not pungent when brewed	Pungent, characteristic onion flavor
Primary Use	Tea, broth, natural dye	Culinary applications, eating raw or cooked

Digestive Health and Other Benefits

Beyond its more prominent attributes, drinking boiled onion peels may also support digestive wellness. Onion peels contain dietary fiber, and the flavonoids may exhibit prebiotic effects, feeding beneficial gut bacteria. A healthy gut microbiome is fundamental to overall health, playing a role in digestion, mood, and immune function. Some traditional remedies use onion peel tea, or Pyaaz Chaa in India, to relieve cold and flu-like symptoms.

Conclusion: A Sustainable and Beneficial Addition to Your Diet

Instead of treating onion peels as waste, brewing them into a nourishing tea offers a simple, cost-effective, and sustainable way to access their remarkable health benefits. From providing a powerful dose of antioxidants and fighting inflammation to potentially aiding heart health, weight management, and boosting immunity, the boiled peels are a testament to the fact that valuable nutrients are often found in unexpected places. While promising, it's important to remember that most of the concentrated research has been on extracts, and larger-scale human studies are ongoing. As with any new health practice, it is wise to speak with a healthcare provider before making significant changes, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Here is one resource that provides a further deep dive into the utilization of onion peel as a functional food: Utilization of onion peel as a functional food (The Pharma Innovation Journal).

Frequently Asked Questions

To make onion peel tea, collect the clean, outer papery skins from 2-3 onions. Place them in a pot with about 2 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain the mixture to remove the peels before drinking. You can add honey, lemon, ginger, or cinnamon for flavor.

For most people, drinking onion peel tea in moderate amounts is considered likely safe, similar to consuming onions in food. However, individuals with existing medical conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those taking medication should consult a healthcare provider, especially when consuming larger, more concentrated doses.

Yes, you can use the peels from red, yellow, or white onions. However, red onion peels often contain higher levels of antioxidants like quercetin and anthocyanins, which can give the tea a deeper color and potentially more potent benefits.

Contrary to what you might expect, brewed onion peel tea has a surprisingly mild, earthy, and not at all pungent taste. It can be easily enhanced with additions like honey or lemon to sweeten or brighten the flavor.

In some cases, excessive consumption of onion or its extracts has been associated with gastrointestinal upset, such as heartburn or stomach pain. If you have sensitive digestion or experience discomfort, you may want to reduce your intake.

Some studies, particularly those using concentrated extracts, have shown that quercetin can aid in reducing body fat and increasing resting energy expenditure in overweight and obese individuals. While onion peel tea can be a supportive part of a healthy diet, it is not a magic solution for weight loss and should be combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.

The high antioxidant content, especially from quercetin, helps protect skin cells from free radical damage that contributes to aging. The presence of vitamins A, C, and E also supports a healthy complexion, while anti-inflammatory properties may help soothe irritation and redness.