A recent video of an Indian politician talking to the media during the ongoing election campaigns has been in the news for the dubious health claim. 

If an Indian politician is to be believed, the best way to cope with the scorching weather conditions is to carry an onion in your pocket! A recent video of Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, talking to the media during the ongoing election campaigns has been in the news for the dubious health claim. 

While popular folk remedies across South Asia promote the goodness of onions in protecting against excessive heat, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Onions cannot really “draw out” or absorb heat from the body. Onions do contain compounds that may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties when consumed, find studies. However, there is no research to demonstrate that carrying them in one’s pocket can protect against heatstroke. 

As global temperatures rise, the frequency and intensity of heatwaves as a result of climate change are triggering public health emergencies, resulting in excess mortality, and cascading socio-economic impacts. Heatstroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature, usually due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity. 

The most effective ways to prevent adverse health effects due to undue heat include staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged sun exposure, and wearing lightweight and light-coloured clothing, among others. Carrying a raw onion in one’s pocket could potentially be counterproductive, as the strong odour may cause discomfort, adding to the challenges of the scorching weather.

Read More : 370% rise in heat-related deaths by 2050 if climate goals unmet: The Lancet report