Radish: Important Things To Know

Origin

The radish is an edible root vegetable. This vegetable is known throughout the world. It comes in many varieties and flavours. Seed oil is often extracted to be used as biofuel. Radishes can be eaten raw or cooked.

Health Benefits

Radishes, popularly known as mooli in India, might not top the list of your favourite vegetables but when it comes to nutrition and health benefits they definitely secure a top rank among all other vegetables. Eat them raw or add them to your healthy vegetable recipe, these nutrition-loaded root vegetables have numerous benefits to offer. Here are top 5 benefits you’ll be surprised to know.

1. Lowers risk of cancer: Radish contains phytochemicals and anthocyanins that have anti-carcinogenic properties. Additionally, they have vitamin C that acts as a powerful antioxidant to prevent free radical damage to the DNA inside the cells, thus helping cancer prevention. A study published by Plants Foods for Human Nutrition offers strong evidence that radish root extract induces cell death by triggering the apoptotic pathways due to the presence of several isothiocyanates (ITCs).
2. Regulates blood pressure: Radish has anti-hypertensive properties that help regulate control high blood pressure. Radish is rich in potassium that helps maintain the sodium-potassium balance in the body, keeping blood pressure under control. A study published in Nutrition Research and Practice found that radish leaves’ lowered blood pressure extract participants having hypertension from 214 mmHg to 166 mmHg and was significantly lower than that of the normotensive and hypertensive controls.
3. Good for diabetics: Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas is responsible for the absorption of glucose. Diabetics are either unable to absorb the insulin their body produces or unable to produce insulin at all. Because of this, they cannot eat sugary or starchy foods. High in fibre, and with a low glycemic index, diabetics can enjoy radish as it doesn’t cause blood sugar levels to rise.
4. Respiratory Disorders, Bronchitis and Asthma: Radishes are an anti-congestive, meaning that it decreases congestion of the respiratory system including irritation of the nose, throat, windpipe and lungs that can come from colds, infections, allergies and other causes. They are a great disinfectant and rich in vitamins, which further protects the respiratory system from infections.
5. Respiratory Conditions and Sore Throats: Radishes have a strong, natural spice to them, and they are also quite pungent, which is very good for preventing illness, and it also eliminates excess mucous in the throat. Furthermore, radishes have been known to soothe sore throats and relieve congestion by clearing the sinuses.

Nutritional value

Water – g 95.27
Energy – kcal 16
Protein – g 0.68
Total lipid (fat) – g 0.1
Carbohydrate, by difference – g 3.4
Fibre, total dietary – g 1.6
Sugars, total – g 1.86

Minerals

Calcium, Ca – mg 25
Iron, Fe – mg 0.34
Magnesium, Mg – mg 10
Phosphorus, P – mg 20
Potassium, K – mg 233
Sodium, Na – mg 39
Zinc, Zn – mg 0.28

Vitamins

Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid – mg 14.8
Thiamin – mg 0.012
Riboflavin – mg 0.039
Niacin – mg 0.254
Vitamin B-6 – mg 0.071
Folate, DFE – µg 25
Vitamin B-12 – µg 0
Vitamin A, RAE – µg 0
Vitamin A, IU – IU 7
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) – mg 0
Vitamin D (D2 + D3) – µg 0
Vitamin D – IU 0
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) – µg 1.3

Lipids

Fatty acids, total saturated – g 0.032
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated – g 0.017
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated – g 0.048
Fatty acids, total trans – g 0
Cholesterol – mg 0

Amino Acids

Other

Caffeine – mg 0

Source: The Health Site, Organic Facts, USDA