Onion and banana juice is a blended home-remedy drink that pairs raw onion with ripe banana so the banana’s sweetness softens the onion’s sharp bite. It is mostly shared online as a folk remedy for coughs and digestion. Below is a balanced recipe that is actually drinkable, plus what is and is not known about it.
Quick answer: Blend 1 ripe banana, 2 tablespoons of chopped red onion, 1 cup (240 ml) cold water and 1 teaspoon honey until smooth. Drink it fresh. No studies have tested this combination, so treat it as a food drink, not a medicine.
Onion and Banana Juice Recipe
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Equipment | Blender |
| Yield | About 1½ cups (360 ml), 1–2 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana (the riper, the sweeter and less oniony the drink)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red or sweet onion (start small; you can add more)
- 1 cup (240 ml) cold water or milk of your choice
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional; do not give honey to children under 1 year)
- A squeeze of lemon juice (optional, freshens the taste)
Instructions
- Peel the banana and break it into chunks.
- Peel and finely chop the onion. Sweet or red onions are milder than yellow or white ones.
- Add everything to a blender and blend for 30–45 seconds until smooth.
- Taste. If it is too sharp, add more banana or honey; if it is too thick, add water.
- Drink immediately: onion flavor gets stronger the longer the juice sits.
Why Combine Onion and Banana?
- Taste: banana masks most of the onion’s pungency and gives the drink body, so it is far easier to drink than plain onion juice.
- Nutrients from both foods: a medium banana provides about 420 mg of potassium and some vitamin B6; onions add small amounts of vitamin C and plant compounds such as quercetin (USDA FoodData Central).
- Fiber: because this is blended rather than strained, you keep the fiber from both, which supports regular digestion.
What the Evidence Says
There are no clinical studies on onion and banana juice as a mix. Claims that it “cures” coughs, lowers cholesterol or burns fat are not backed by research. What we do know comes from the individual foods: onions contain quercetin and sulfur compounds that are being studied for heart and anti-inflammatory effects, mostly in lab and animal research, and bananas are a good everyday potassium source. Enjoy it as a nutritious drink, and see a doctor for a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks.
If your main interest is onion juice itself, our step-by-step guide on how to make onion juice covers straining, storage and use on hair, and benefits of onion juice looks at the research in more detail.
Possible Side Effects
- Heartburn and bloating: raw onion is a common reflux and gas trigger. Onions are also high-FODMAP, so people with IBS may react.
- Bad breath: expected after any raw onion drink.
- Potassium: people with kidney disease who are told to limit potassium should check with their doctor before adding banana drinks.
- Blood sugar: a ripe banana has about 14 g of sugar; count it as a fruit serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does onion and banana juice help with cough?
It is a traditional home remedy, but no studies have tested it. Honey has the best evidence among home remedies for soothing coughs in adults and children over 1 year, so adding a teaspoon of honey is the most useful part.
Can I store onion and banana juice?
It is best fresh. Banana browns and onion gets stronger, so drink it within an hour or keep it covered in the fridge for no more than a few hours.
Which onion is best for this juice?
Red or sweet onions are milder and blend into a more pleasant drink than yellow or white onions.
