New 'Tearless' Onions Promote Heart Health

CHRISTCHURCH, New ZealandNew "tearless" onionslacking the tear-jerking pungency known to most onionscould pack health benefits similar to garlic, including improved heart health and weight management, according to a new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Researchers at the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research studied the onion's unique chemistry that leads to its tear-inducing effects when cut, and developed new tearless onions, which make less of the protein blamed for making eyes burn. Instead, the new onions make a sulfur compound similar to the one found in cut garlic that may be the key to its cardiovascular benefits; garlic has been shown to reduce the clumping of platelets in the blood, which can lead to blood clots and clogged arteries.

Researchers conducted lab tests using the tearless onions to determine whether or not they provided health benefits similar to garlic. Results concluded extract from the tearless onion significantly reduced platelet clumping, compared to regular onions or even garlic. Other results showed that the new onion had similar anti-inflammatory properties as the original. Also, preliminary testing in rats showed the tearless onion could help control weight gainmore so than regular onions or garlic.

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