Benefits of Raw Onion Sexually

You may not think onion breath is sexy but don’t discount this root veggie just yet. There are many purported benefits of raw onion sexually, including increased libido and better erectile function. Is any of it true?

Onions are commonly used in cooking to add flavor to a dish. They are also sometimes used to reduce cold and flu symptoms. The sulfur compounds in raw onions have even been praised for their protective effects against cancer.

But these aren’t the only impressive health benefits of onions.

Some research shows that onions may enhance testosterone production, which can have a positive effect on your sexual stamina and performance. However, you shouldn't count on raw onions to replace medications for low T or sexual dysfunction. Though this root vegetable can be a useful addition to a well-balanced diet, there is no one food or natural supplement that will completely correct sexual dysfunction or improve sexual function.

In this article, we’ll break down all the benefits of onions sexually, explain why you shouldn’t rely on nutrition alone to solve sexual health issues, and share what else you can do to improve your sex life safely and effectively.

Whether raw or cooked, onions (Allium cepa L) have numerous health benefits, ranging from enhanced immunity to better heart health. For thousands of years, the root vegetable has been used to treat ailments like headaches, mouth sores, and even heart disease.

But before we get to the overall health benefits of common onions, let’s find out: are there benefits of raw onion sexually? Can they help with erectile dysfunction (ED) or improve sexual health in other ways?

According to some research:

• Onions might increase testosterone production

• They may help with erectile dysfunction

• Eating onions might increase sexual desire

Keep reading to find out more about how these pungent root vegetables may improve your sex life.

Onions Might Increase Testosterone Production

Eating onions might boost your testosterone levels, the primary sex hormone responsible for your male characteristics during puberty (muscle strength, deepening voice, and facial hair, to name a few). Testosterone also plays an important role in sperm production and libido.

A review of studies found that onion extracts can increase testosterone production. However, 75 percent of these studies were conducted on male rats.

One of the studies found that rats that consumed onion juice had increased testosterone production. This study also discovered that rats experiencing sexual dysfunction from paroxetine (a common antidepressant used to treat depression) also had increased production of testosterone from the consumption of onions.

They May Help With Erectile Dysfunction

Eating onions may also help with erectile dysfunction, one of the most common sexual dysfunctions among men. With ED, men are unable to get or maintain an erection firm enough for penetrative sex.

Onions’ anti-inflammatory properties and certain B vitamins can help produce red blood cells, decrease blood clots, and increase blood flow. Why is this important? It boils down to how erections work.

When you’re aroused, chemical messages are sent from the brain to relax muscles in the penis, which then allows blood to flow to the base of the penis. Blood flow to erectile tissue allows the penis to become firmer and harder, creating an erection. This is exactly how erectile dysfunction medications like sildenafil (Viagra®) work — they help stimulate blood flow to the penis to support erections.

A study on male rats found that red onion juice had a positive effect on erectile dysfunction. Rats with drug-induced ED had onion injected into their penile tissues, which successfully restored erectile function.

While promising, it’s unclear if these same results would occur if you ate onions or drank onion juice. And no, we’re absolutely not recommending you inject onions into your penis. But we are pointing out that the benefits of onion injections are probably not comparable to, say, the benefits of onion water sexually. More research is needed to determine if consuming onions orally would produce the same effects.

Eating Onions Might Increase Sexual Desire

Considering onions' reputation for giving people bad breath, it might be surprising to learn that this food is viewed as an aphrodisiac — a food that stimulates sexual desire.

Some research has even shown that celibate priests were forbidden to eat onions in the past due to the idea that these veggies increased libido.

You already know that eating onions may support testosterone production, which can affect sexual desire in men, but more research needs to be done beyond male rats.

It’s also possible that onions might increase your libido by lowering stress, thanks to their high content of B6. Stress and anxiety (especially performance anxiety) are known to ruin the mood. But, again, until more studies are conducted on onion’s direct effects on sexual function, most of these benefits are inconclusive.

Are There Other Health Benefits of Onions?

While there is evidence that onions may improve various aspects of your sexual function, as you can see from the research above, almost all of the studies were conducted on animals. More human research is needed before we can recommend onions for sexual purposes.

However, one of the best ways to improve your sex life is to improve your overall health, and following a healthy diet is an easy way to do that.

Onions are nutrient-dense, meaning they’re low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals. For example, a medium onion has less than 50 calories but contains a considerable amount of fiber and diverse nutrients like calcium, potassium, magnesium, and much more.

Here are some amazing facts about some of the overall health benefits of onions:

• Protects against oxidative stress. Onions are high in antioxidants like vitamin C, which is important for supporting the immune system, stimulating collagen production, and aiding iron absorption. Vitamin C's antioxidant properties can also protect cells against oxidative stress or damage from free radicals. Oxidative damage is linked to numerous diseases like heart disease and diabetes, two risk factors for ED.

• Better heart health. Onions contain at least 17 different types of antioxidants, including the plant pigment and flavonoid quercetin. Quercetin has potent anti-inflammatory properties that support heart health and may help decrease heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Quercetin also has antibacterial properties and can aid weight loss.

• Stronger bones. Antioxidants in onions are also known to decrease bone loss and boost bone density, which can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

• Improved metabolism and nerve function. Onions are also rich in B vitamins — particularly vitamin B6 and folate — which help with metabolism, nerve function, and the production of red blood cells.

• Lower blood sugar levels. Raw onion could also benefit blood sugar levels. An older study from 2009 showed that diabetic patients who ate raw onions had significantly reduced fasting blood sugar levels.

• Better gut health. Onions are rich in prebiotics, which stimulate beneficial bacteria in your gut to promote a healthy gut microbiome and support digestion.

Along with a healthy diet, other lifestyle habits that can boost sexual function by supporting whole-body health include:

• Getting adequate sleep

• Exercising regularly

• Giving up smoking

• Limiting alcohol

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Lowering stress

Bad breath aside, some side effects of eating raw onions include:

• Gas

• Bloating

• Heartburn

• Irritated eyes

• Upset stomach

It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to onions. If you experience itching, swelling, vomiting, or trouble breathing after eating onions, you should seek medical advice immediately and steer clear of these vegetables.

Onions are also easy to add to your diet, whether you use cooked onions in a stir-fry, green onions in a salad, or even drink onion water (we’re not judging).

But, while onions have some impressive benefits, they may not be enough to solve certain health issues, like low testosterone, ED, or low sex drive.

If you’re struggling with one of these problems, consult a healthcare professional to figure out what’s going on and establish a treatment plan that’s right for you. Your provider may prescribe medication, suggest therapy, or recommend other specific lifestyle changes to meet your needs.

It’s important to remember that sexual dysfunctions like ED have many common causes, including:

• Physical health issues

• Mental health issues

• Stress or anxiety

• Lifestyle choices

• Medications

• Medical conditions

But, there are safe and effective treatments available. If your provider thinks you’re a good candidate for ED treatment, they’ll likely prescribe prescription medication like:

• Sildenafil (Viagra)

• Tadalafil (Cialis®)

• Avanafil (Stendra®)

• Vardenafil (Levitra®)

There are also chewable ED mints that contain the same ingredients as the prescription drugs above in varying dosages. Schedule an online consultation to find out more.

Many studies have found onions to have benefits that may enhance sexual health. But you shouldn’t count on them to replace medical treatment. Here’s what we know:

• Onions are nutrient-dense vegetables that may enhance sexual function. Sexual benefits include better testosterone production, improved erectile function, and higher sexual desire. 

• However, studies on onion’s sexual benefits were mostly conducted on rats. More research is needed on human participants to determine the true sexual benefits of onions in humans.

• Beyond the potential benefits of onions sexually, there are other positive aspects to eating onions. Onions contain antioxidants, flavonoids, and various vitamins and minerals that support heart health, immunity, bone strength, gut health, and more.

If you’re concerned about onion breath or are still struggling with sexual conditions like ED, there are many solutions available, including prescription medication.

Curious about other ways to enhance your health through a more nutritious diet? Check out what foods get you hard, and consider eating these 12 foods before sex to last longer.