Fact Check: Can onion juice normalize blood pressure?

An Instagram reel claims that Blood Pressure can get normal by onion juice. The claim by the user is Misleading.

Claim

In an Instagram reel it is claimed that Blood Pressure can get normal by onion juice. The reel by the user fried_moni is titled "High BP ke liye home remedy" In the reel the user says, "In case of BP, if you want to normalize BP, take an onion, grate it, and extract its juice. Alright? Every morning, what you need to do is drink one spoon of onion juice. After that, don’t eat or drink anything for half an hour, and take one spoon in the evening as well. This will help a lot with BP."

The reel has received 760,000 views, 10,841 likes, 36 comments, and 7,289 shares, and is available here.

Fact Check

The claim by the user is Misleading. Onions may assist in managing high blood pressure; however, no scientific evidence or medical consensus supports the claim that onion juice can normalize blood pressure.

What is High Blood Pressure?

According to WHO, High blood pressure or Hypertension is when the pressure in blood vessels is high (140/90 mmHg or higher). It is common but can be serious if not treated. 

The risk factors of hypertension are genetics, overweight or obese, physical inactivity, age, high-salt diet and consumption of alcohol.

Modifiable risk factors include unhealthy diets such as excessive salt consumption, a diet high in saturated fat and trans fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables, physical inactivity, consumption of tobacco and alcohol, and being overweight or obese. In addition, there are environmental risk factors for hypertension and associated diseases, where air pollution is the most significant.

Non-modifiable risk factors include a family history of hypertension, age over 65 years and co-existing diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease. 

Dr. Pradeep Hasija, Consultant, Cardiology, Jaslok⁩ Hospital & Research Centre explained, "Hypertension is most important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and affects nearly 30% of world’s adult population. In large majority of adult patients the cause of hypertension is obesity, family history, salt intake and certain medications. Hypertension related to lifestyle factors are likely to remit with nonpharmacological measures like weight reduction, regular exercise, salt reduction, cessation of smoking and avoidance of tea, coffee or stimulant drugs. Another category of hypertension called secondary hypertension that is due to hormonal abnormalities (cortisol, thyroid or catecholamins), sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnoea), obstruction in aorta (Coarctation) and certain kidney disease (renal artery stenosis, fibromuscular dysplasia , parenchymal disease) are potentially reversible with treatment of underlying disease. A DASH diet (dietary advice to stop hypertension) is based on eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and eating less salt and saturated fat and is recommended for blood pressure reduction. The adoption of yoga, meditation and stress relieving exercises have also important role to play in reversal of hypertension."

Can High Blood Pressure Be Cured?

High blood pressure can be controlled with lifestyle modifications, diet and certain medications as prescribed by a registered medical practitioner, but there is no cure for hypertension.

What are the benefits of Onion?

Onions add abundant flavor to a wide variety of food, yet are low in calories. With only 45 calories per serving, onions are naturally fat and cholesterol-free. They are a source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and other key nutrients including folate, calcium and iron. Onions contain a variety of other naturally occurring chemicals known as organosulfur compounds linked to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Among some of their best-known benefits, onions contain the flavonoid quercetin which acts as an anti-inflammatory in the body, inhibits low-density lipoprotein oxidation (an important reaction in atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease), protects and regenerates vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant).

Can Blood Pressure get normal by onion juice? 

Onions contain certain bioactive compounds that may have beneficial effects in the management of high blood pressure but there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that drinking onion juice can normalize blood pressure. It is important to emphasize that high blood pressure cannot be completely cured but can only be effectively managed.

Onions may contribute to the effective management of high blood pressure. According to a review by Amin Galavi et. al., onion has been shown to positively influence metabolic health parameters, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Quercetin, a natural compound found in onions, has shown promising effects in helping in the management of hypertension. A randomized trial led by Verena Brüll et. al. revealed that quercetin supplementation from onion skin extract significantly lowered ambulatory blood pressure in individuals with hypertension, emphasizing its potential role in cardiovascular protection.

While onions contain compounds like quercetin, which may have a mild impact in the management of blood pressure, there is no robust scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the idea that onion juice alone can normalize blood pressure.

The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team spoke with Dr Prem Aggarwal, MD (Medicine), DNB (Cardiology, Director, Sanjeevan Hospital, Daryaganj, Delhi and he said, "While onions contain antioxidants like quercetin, which may help in managing hypertension, drinking onion juice alone is unlikely to normalize blood pressure. Blood pressure management requires a holistic approach, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress reduction, and medication if prescribed. Relying solely on home remedies like onion juice may delay essential medical care. Always consult a doctor for effective and safe hypertension management."

Dr Pradeep Hasija, Consultant, Cardiology, Jaslok⁩ Hospital & Research Centre further said, "Onion juice have received great attention as a dietary supplement to benefit blood pressure, however it lacks scientific evidence. It does make a great addition to a blanched diet being low in calories, fat, and sodium, and rich in antioxidant flavonoids (quercetin) and fibers. In a recent observational study published in Lancet - it was shown that 42% elderly achieved remission and were off medication for over 2 years. They were nonsmoker to start with and achieving normal body mass index during follow-up, and quitting alcohol drinking during follow-up, among others were associated with remission of hypertension. The decrease in BP was also attributed to an increased level of frailty in older adults. Hypertension therefore, can be controlled by medication and in some can remit, however lifestyle modification has an important role to play in achieving and maintaining remission."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The claim that blood pressure can be normalized by onion juice is unsupported by any scientific evidence or medical consensus. While onions have certain health benefits, there is no conclusive research proving that onion juice alone can effectively manage or normalize blood pressure. It is crucial to note that high blood pressure is not curable but can be controlled successfully.

Hence, the claim by the user is Misleading.