There’s nothing quite like the aroma of onions cooking in your kitchen, is there? With the cooler weather upon us, this cold-season crop is in its prime to be consumed. Adding onions to your soups, stews, stir-fries, and casseroles not only help them taste great and smell delicious, but you’ll also be doing your health a service by eating more onions. Here’s how onions can help fight diseases and make you look beautiful and radiant.

1. Regulate Blood Sugar Levels

One study found that onion extract helped reduce high blood glucose levels and lowered cholesterol levels in rats with diabetes when given with the antidiabetic drug Metformin. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, bring this up with your doctor to see if you should add more onions to your diet to help reduce blood sugar levels naturally.

2. Boost Your Immunity

While onions’ quercetin component has anti-viral properties, they also contain vitamin C, which may help give you a boost before cold and flu season is in full swing. Adding garlic and onions to your favorite soup when you have a cold will make it taste better and possibly help you get better faster.

3. Promote Healthy Hair 

Onions are a great source of the B-complex vitamin biotin, which is needed to convert certain nutrients in the body into energy. When the body doesn’t get enough biotin, it could result in unwanted hair loss and a dry scalp. Biotin can help keep hair shiny and strong.

4. Hydrate Skin

Another sign of a biotin deficiency is a red, scaly rash. Biotin helps your body hold on to healthy fats so skin stays moist and hydrated. Work more biotin-rich foods into your diet to help prevent dry, itchy, flaky skin this winter.

5. Strengthen Nails 

Supplements that contain biotin have been shown to help boost nail strength, in addition to helping out with hair loss and keeping skin healthy and hydrated. Onions and shallots are rich in this ingredient so you can take comfort in the fact that these ingredients are working overtime to keep your nails long and strong.