The onion makes us cry but once reduced to small pieces and infused in cold water, it would prevent us from having gout in our noses.
That's what an extremely popular tip on TikTok promises.
According to several users, drinking onion water would help fight winter respiratory infections, flu and colds in mind.
On the social network, the hashtag
#onionwater
has accumulated 38.3 million views and brings together hundreds of videos of Internet users preparing the mixture.
The recipe is simple: cut raw onions (red or yellow) into small pieces, then place them in a jar and fill it with water.
Let the mixture sit overnight in the refrigerator.
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“A completely false shortcut”
Unsurprisingly, no scientific evidence confirms the effectiveness of onion against the flu or colds, regardless of its preparation.
"No medicine has been developed from this product, because there are no scientific texts confirming its therapeutic virtues to treat these infections", continues Faïza Bossy, general practitioner and nutritionist.
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However, the promotion of this bulb is not new.
Since Antiquity, it has been cut, boiled, dipped in honey or even placed under the bed in the hope of warding off the evils of winter.
"Onions, like garlic, tea or red fruits, are renowned for their richness in antioxidants, specifically flavonoids", explains Dr. Faïza Bossy.
If clinical studies show that these substances prevent a virus from replicating, the general practitioner sweeps away any cause and effect link between the onion and a potential antiviral power.
"It's a completely fake shortcut used by today's TikTokeurs," she sums up.
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A slight effect on symptoms
If the onion water ingested every morning does not therefore keep the "baladie" away, the drink would nevertheless have short-term effects on flu symptoms.
“Its strong smell has the same Vicks VapoRub effect, namely opening the nasal cavities and giving an immediate feeling of decongestion.
But it remains temporary, for only a few minutes”, nuances the doctor.
In principle, this water-based preparation is based on a rigorous health recommendation: hydration.
“Faced with a flu-like state, patients are always recommended to drink water to thin the secretions.
The onset of fever increases sweating and can lead to dehydration which is important to compensate for.
The onion water contributes to this, the product itself contains 80% water”, indicates the general practitioner.
Contraindications
For the (courageous) drinkers of the mixture, one question remains unanswered: consumed in too large quantities, can the drink be harmful to the body?
"What is dangerous is to believe that onion water is enough for our healing", underlines Jean-Michel Lecerf, head of the nutrition and physical activity department at the Institut Pasteur de Lille.
The only effective remedy for the disease remains patience.
"In the case of a cold, the phenomenon is often temporary, but if it continues without improvement, you should consult rather than stubbornly follow a remedy from grandmother that could potentially cause a person to lose their luck. fragile”, assures the specialist.
Especially since the food, in addition to giving a fetid breath, can cause digestive discomfort.
“If you are sensitive, or even prone to gastric reflux, the onion is not recommended, at the risk of aggravating your situation,” informs Dr. Faïza Bossy.
For those who digest it well, the general practitioner does not invite you to banish the bulb from your plate.
According to her, the onion remains interesting on the nutritional level and protects in particular the cardiovascular system.
We will only consume it in moderation for the good of our neighbor at the table.
