Can sea cucumbers be eaten with onions?
Jun 11, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Sea cucumbers are rich in high-quality protein, collagen, sea cucumber saponins, and various trace elements. Onions contain sulfides, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. When consumed together, these two ingredients can complement each other by supplying both protein and plant-based bioactive compounds. In everyday cooking, they are often used together in dishes such as braised sea cucumber with scallions and sea cucumber onion soup. For the general population, moderate consumption of both together typically does not cause discomfort.
Generally speaking, sea cucumbers can be consumed together with onions, but intake should be controlled when eating them. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Sea cucumbers are rich in high-quality protein, collagen, saponins, and various trace elements, while onions contain sulfides, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. Combining the two can supply both protein and plant-based active ingredients. In daily cooking, they often appear together in dishes such as scallion-braised sea cucumber and sea cucumber and onion soup. Normal individuals usually can consume them together in moderate amounts without experiencing discomfort, which can also provide diverse nutrients for the body.
Individuals allergic to either sea cucumbers or onions may experience allergic reactions such as skin itching and shortness of breath when consuming them together, and should stop eating immediately and monitor bodily reactions. Patients with gout or hyperuricemia should control their intake of sea cucumbers, as they are moderate-purine foods, and consuming large amounts together with onions may affect uric acid metabolism. The irritating components in onions and the high protein content in sea cucumbers may increase the digestive burden for individuals with weak gastrointestinal function, leading to discomfort such as bloating and belching.
In daily diets, it is important to maintain balanced nutrition and diversified food intake, avoiding excessive consumption of any single food to promote overall health.
