The beneficial effects of digested onion extracts have been assessed by antimutagenic and anticancer activities by Ames test and SRB test. The total phenolic acids and flavonoids in onion extracts were determined. Red and yellow onions contain more phenolic acids and flavonoids than those in the white onion. Digested, extracts showed antimutagenic activity and anticancer activity, and it appears that the antimutagenic activity of digested extracts of onion against mutagens and anticancer activities were related to their phenols and flavonoids contents. Moreover, the extracts inhibited the proliferation of four human tumorigenic cell lines such as HT-29 (colon), MCF-7 (breast), DU-145 (prostate) and HepG2 (liver), in a dose-dependent manner. Phenolic acids and flavonoids caused oxidative damage to the cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis. Generally, red onion extracts showed effective antimutagenic and anticancer activity, and the digested red onion extracts elicited stronger antimutagenic activity than those of the onion extracts without digestion.