Onions Could Curb Osteoporosis

Scientists from the University of Bern in Switzerland believe they've discovered a compound in white onions that is able to reduce the breakdown of bone. The Swiss researchers fed dried white onion flakes (or extracts made from onion flakes) to young male rats. The rats also received injections of a chemical that marks bone loss. Based on levels of that chemical in the rats' urine, the onion-eating rats lost less bone. In addition, the scientists harvested bone cells from rats and then exposed them to parathyroid hormone, which increases bone breakdown. When these bone cells were later treated with onion extract, it seemed to curb bone loss. Continued research is underway.