Medical Experts Warn Against Myth That Onions Prevent Heatstroke

Amid extreme heatwaves, a traditional claim that onions can prevent heatstroke has gone viral on social media, but medical experts and global health organisations are firmly debunking the myth as dangerous misinformation. The claim, widely circulated in India and Pakistan, suggests that carrying an onion in one’s pocket or consuming large amounts of it can protect against heat-related illness. One video posted by a Pakistani television station in June 2026 promoted the practice as an ancestral remedy.

Dr. Nadeem Ullah Khan, a professor of emergency medicine at Aga Khan University Hospital, explained that the primary danger lies not in the onion itself, but in the resulting substitution behaviour. Individuals who believe in this false protection may reduce their water intake, prolong their exposure to the sun during peak hours between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and neglect wearing protective clothing or seeking shade.

The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Pakistan emphasised that heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by the body’s failure to regulate its temperature. With heat-related deaths rising significantly in recent decades, the WHO insists that prevention relies on scientifically proven measures, not unverified traditional remedies. The public is urged to follow official weather warnings and avoid relying on unproven folk medicine, as proper preventive actions are critical for survival when temperatures soar above 45 degrees Celsius.