If you already love the sharp bite a fresh radish adds to salad, then it is time for you to learn more about the radish's health benefits that work wonders for your overall health. So, radish to me, is certainly a food on my priority food list and here is why :).
Radish assists in detoxifying our body by cleaning out the liver and stomach. Beside, it is rich in nutrients that lower blood pressure, such as folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, flavonoids, and potassium. Radishes are also rich in vitamin C, which helps with common colds and coughs and strengthens the immune system (and if you wish to perform better in your physical fitness, then this is non avoidable). Beside, eating radishes in the colder months can be very healthy. Because it is rich in nutrients and has many health advantages, this vegetable, is regarded as a superfood. It has an abundance of enzymes that facilitate the breakdown of carbs and fat. It also has significant levels of potassium, phosphate, and vitamin C. The root vegetable has a number of strong antioxidants that improve liver function and aid in the management of lifestyle conditions including high blood pressure. Radishes are considered to be beneficial for diabetics as well because they are low in carbs and have a low glycemic index.
Although radish classifies as superfood, there are many benefits that they might convince you too, to consume it on a regular basis.
1. Radish will control your blood pressure
Radish has potassium which helps your body maintain blood flow management and lower blood pressure, especially if you have a history of hypertension.
2. Will without a doubt improve your immunity system
Due to the radish’s high vitamin C content, it can help strengthen your fundamental immune system and shield you from the common cold and cough.
3. Radish is known to help your healthy skin and hair
Radish prevents rashes, acne, pimples, and dryness. The white-coloured vegetable strengthens the root as well as removes dandruff and controls hair loss.
4. Radish will help your body detoxify
The diuretic qualities of radish help with urine excretion. This procedure keeps the kidneys clean by assisting in the clearance of all harmful substances from the body.
5. Radish has amazing nutritional value too
Radishes contain just 19 calories, nearly 2 grams of fiber, and plenty of vitamin C. There are other micronutrients in radishes as well (Let's have a closer look ;));
Calories: 19
Fat: 0.1g
Sodium: 45mg
Carbohydrates: 3.9g
Fiber: 1.9g
Sugar: 2.2g
Protein: 0.8g
- Protein
Like most vegetables, radishes are not high in protein. There is just under 1 gram of plant protein in a cup of raw radish slices.
- Fats
Radishes have just a trace of fat. The vitamin A and vitamin K in radishes will absorb more readily if they are consumed with healthy fats such as polyunsaturated fat or monounsaturated fat (linen seed oil, olive oil, etc).
The way I do it - If you roast radishes, coat them with a little olive oil to add heart-healthy fats. If you eat radishes on a salad, drizzle a tablespoon of oil on top as a salad dressing.
- Carbs
Radishes lack starch, which is an easily digestible form of carbohydrate that quickly breaks down into simple sugars. The carbs in radishes are half simple sugars (glucose and fructose) and half fiber.
- Vitamins and Minerals
Radishes are a good source of vitamin C, with 17 milligrams per 1-cup serving. This is 23% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for women and 19% of the RDA for men. Since the body can't produce its own vitamin C, consuming it in the diet (or via supplements) is essential (and trust me - it does work) :).
- Calories
Radishes are a low calorie food, with just 19 calories per cup of sliced radish. All of the calories in radishes come from carbohydrates and protein, as there is almost no fat in radishes :).
6. And last but not least. How do I prepare radish?
I know most people are used to having a few raw slices of radish on a salad.
- But to make radishes the star of your salad, dice radish and cucumber and toss them with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving :) honestly it really is a food from heaven ;).
- You can also try cooked radishes, however some of the peppery bite is lost when they are cooked, but you can season them with a variety of herbs or spices.
- Also roasted radish is amazingly delicious. Simply trim and halve radishes, toss them with a little olive oil and salt, and roast in a hot oven until golden and crisp. Mmmm, nom nom.
- How about 'sautéed' If you love breakfast potatoes or hash, try substituting halved or quartered radishes for the potatoes. Sauté them with oil, butter, or a little bacon grease and seasonings.
- Or poached? Boil or steam halved or quartered radishes until they are tender.
- For cold days stews and soups are the option :) Substitute radishes for potatoes, turnips, or rutabaga in any slow cooker or pressure cooker recipes for stews or soups.
Hopefully you will start to enjoy variety of vegetables that 'Earth' has to offer. And remember (might sound too cliché but it's true ;) - we are what we eat. And our body deserves only best.
If I have convinced you to try it out, let me know :) You might even have some amazing new recipe to share.
Until next time, S.
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