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Onion vs. Chives — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

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Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan by Ani Harutyunyan | Last updated on October 28, 2022
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel Article author photo Igor Bussel
Onion
vs
Chives

Summary

Chives are higher in vitamin C and copper. They are more than eight times higher in vitamin C. Onions provide two times more carbs than Chives. Onions are also lower in proteins.

Introduction

This article will compare Chives and Onion, focusing on their nutritional content and health impact. Here we will discuss the differences between raw chives (1) and raw onion (2).

Macronutrients

Although Onion and Chives contain more than 90% water, the distribution of macronutrients differs. The amounts of the nutrients they give are compared below.

Calories

Chives and Onions are low-calorie foods because they are vegetables. However, Onion is higher in calories than Chives: it provides ten calories more.

Carbs

Both Onion and Chives are low in carbs. However, in terms of carbs, Onion is more than two times higher compared to Chives.

Chives are lower in net carbs: 100g has 1.9g of net carbs, while the same amount of Onion contains 7.6g.

Fiber

Chives are higher in fiber than Onion. They provide 2.5g of fiber per 100g. Chives are significantly richer in soluble fiber.

Protein

Chives and Onion are plant food products. Hence, they do not provide much protein. Still, Chives are three times higher in proteins than Onion.

Vitamins

Both Onion and Chives are rich in different vitamins, but in general, Chives are higher in vitamins.

Chives are an excellent source of vitamin C, A, and K: they are more than eight times higher in vitamin C (58.1mg per 100g) than Onions (7.4mg per 100g).

You can check the vitamin composition of these foods in the chart below.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Onion
0
:
10
Chives
Contains more Vitamin A +217550%
Contains more Vitamin E +950%
Contains more Vitamin C +685.1%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +69.6%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +325.9%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +457.8%
Contains more Vitamin B5 +163.4%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +15%
Contains more Folate +452.6%
Contains more Vitamin K +53075%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 1% 1% 0% 25% 12% 7% 3% 8% 28% 15% 0% 1%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 262% 5% 0% 194% 20% 27% 13% 20% 32% 79% 0% 532%
Contains more Vitamin A +217550%
Contains more Vitamin E +950%
Contains more Vitamin C +685.1%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +69.6%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +325.9%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +457.8%
Contains more Vitamin B5 +163.4%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +15%
Contains more Folate +452.6%
Contains more Vitamin K +53075%

Minerals

Chives are the champions in this section. They are higher in calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper.

Chives are approximately five times higher in copper than Onion.

You can check these two vegetables' mineral compositions in the chart below.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Onion
0
:
10
Chives
Contains more Calcium +300%
Contains more Iron +661.9%
Contains more Magnesium +320%
Contains more Phosphorus +100%
Contains more Potassium +102.7%
Contains less Sodium -25%
Contains more Zinc +229.4%
Contains more Copper +302.6%
Contains more Manganese +189.1%
Contains more Selenium +80%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 7% 8% 8% 13% 13% 1% 5% 14% 17% 3%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 28% 60% 30% 25% 27% 1% 16% 53% 49% 5%
Contains more Calcium +300%
Contains more Iron +661.9%
Contains more Magnesium +320%
Contains more Phosphorus +100%
Contains more Potassium +102.7%
Contains less Sodium -25%
Contains more Zinc +229.4%
Contains more Copper +302.6%
Contains more Manganese +189.1%
Contains more Selenium +80%

Health impact

Anticancer protection

The anticancer properties of Onions and Chives are mostly linked with sulfur-containing compounds. For instance, Onion provides onionin A, a sulfur-containing chemical that decreases tumor development and inhibits the spread of lung and ovarian cancers (3) (4).

Bone health

Onions and Chieves can help boost bone health.

Onions reduce oxidative stress and decrease bone loss, thus preventing osteoporosis and improving bone density (5). Chives boost bone health by their vitamin K content because vitamin K supplements prevent osteoporosis.

Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan
Education: General Medicine at YSMU
Last updated: October 28, 2022
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

Infographic

Onion vs Chives infographic
Infographic link

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Onion
1
:
4
Chives
Contains more Carbs +114.7%
Contains more Protein +197.3%
Contains more Fats +630%
Contains more Other +185.7%
Equal in Water - 90.65
9% 89%
Protein: 1.1 g
Fats: 0.1 g
Carbs: 9.34 g
Water: 89.11 g
Other: 0.35 g
3% 4% 91%
Protein: 3.27 g
Fats: 0.73 g
Carbs: 4.35 g
Water: 90.65 g
Other: 1 g
Contains more Carbs +114.7%
Contains more Protein +197.3%
Contains more Fats +630%
Contains more Other +185.7%
Equal in Water - 90.65

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Onion
1
:
2
Chives
Contains less Saturated Fat -71.2%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +630.8%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +1470.6%
58% 18% 24%
Saturated Fat: 0.042 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.013 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.017 g
29% 19% 53%
Saturated Fat: 0.146 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.095 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.267 g
Contains less Saturated Fat -71.2%
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +630.8%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +1470.6%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Onion Chives
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in price ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Rich in minerals ok
Rich in vitamins ok
Lower in Cholesterol Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Onion Chives Opinion
Net carbs 7.64g 1.85g Onion
Protein 1.1g 3.27g Chives
Fats 0.1g 0.73g Chives
Carbs 9.34g 4.35g Onion
Calories 40kcal 30kcal Onion
Fructose 1.29g Onion
Sugar 4.24g 1.85g Chives
Fiber 1.7g 2.5g Chives
Calcium 23mg 92mg Chives
Iron 0.21mg 1.6mg Chives
Magnesium 10mg 42mg Chives
Phosphorus 29mg 58mg Chives
Potassium 146mg 296mg Chives
Sodium 4mg 3mg Chives
Zinc 0.17mg 0.56mg Chives
Copper 0.039mg 0.157mg Chives
Manganese 0.129mg 0.373mg Chives
Selenium 0.5µg 0.9µg Chives
Vitamin A 2IU 4353IU Chives
Vitamin A RAE 0µg 218µg Chives
Vitamin E 0.02mg 0.21mg Chives
Vitamin C 7.4mg 58.1mg Chives
Vitamin B1 0.046mg 0.078mg Chives
Vitamin B2 0.027mg 0.115mg Chives
Vitamin B3 0.116mg 0.647mg Chives
Vitamin B5 0.123mg 0.324mg Chives
Vitamin B6 0.12mg 0.138mg Chives
Folate 19µg 105µg Chives
Vitamin K 0.4µg 212.7µg Chives
Tryptophan 0.014mg 0.037mg Chives
Threonine 0.021mg 0.128mg Chives
Isoleucine 0.014mg 0.139mg Chives
Leucine 0.025mg 0.195mg Chives
Lysine 0.039mg 0.163mg Chives
Methionine 0.002mg 0.036mg Chives
Phenylalanine 0.025mg 0.105mg Chives
Valine 0.021mg 0.145mg Chives
Histidine 0.014mg 0.057mg Chives
Saturated Fat 0.042g 0.146g Onion
Monounsaturated Fat 0.013g 0.095g Chives
Polyunsaturated fat 0.017g 0.267g Chives

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Onion Chives
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

People also compare

Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
8%
Onion
98%
Chives
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
8%
Onion
29%
Chives

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Onion
Onion is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.104g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Onion
Onion is lower in glycemic index (difference - 30)
Which food is cheaper?
Onion
Onion is cheaper (difference - $0.2)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Chives
Chives is lower in Sugar (difference - 2.39g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Chives
Chives contains less Sodium (difference - 1mg)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Chives
Chives is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Chives
Chives is relatively richer in vitamins
Which food contains less Cholesterol?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (0 mg)

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Onion - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170000/nutrients
  2. Chives - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169994/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.