Onion powder can help reduce abdominal fat. May it help prevent obesity and improve liver function?

Unlike subcutaneous fat, visceral fat lurks deep in the abdominal cavity and can attack important organs such as liver, stomach, kidney and intestine. Therefore, finding ways to reduce visceral fat is crucial for maintaining life. Quercetin in onions and other vegetables is widely believed to have biological activities such as reducing visceral fat. This discovery prompted researchers to investigate the possible anti-obesity effect of onion powder.

Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study and analyzed the effect of quercetin-rich onions on visceral fat every day for 12 weeks. The researchers randomly assigned them to the quercetin-rich onion group or the placebo group. The subjects ate 9 grams of onion powder every day for 12 weeks. During the whole research process, a number of tests were carried out to monitor the impact of onion powder, such as medical interviews, hematology (blood and bone marrow disease) tests, biological tests and body composition measurement.

At the beginning and end of the study, the researchers measured the abdominal fat area using computer tomography. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the visceral fat area between the two groups of subjects. However, among the subjects with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the visceral fat area of the onion group rich in quercetin was significantly reduced. HDL cholesterol is a waxy substance produced in the body, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease. This finding indicates that visceral fat is directly related to the reduction of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, so onions rich in quercetin may help prevent obesity and improve liver function.

In addition, we should stay away from processed sugar and complex carbohydrates, and take in a large amount of soluble fiber foods (such as flaxseed, avocado, blackberry and Brussels sprouts). This is because soluble fiber absorbs water and forms gel, which helps to slow down the speed of food passing through the digestive system, which helps to extend the sense of satiety, and ultimately will eat less, not eat too much snacks.