More than just a pretty addition to your salad — radishes are the ultimate health food. Just as they come in many shapes, sizes, and even colors, they also offer a varied range of unique health benefits. From aiding in the treatment of urinary disorders to the prevention of cancer, radishes support optimal health.
Invite this root vegetable into your home and benefit from the sweet and peppery flavor that brings incredible effects to your overall well-being. It’s a win-win. Start slicing, chopping, and roasting away — radishes may just be one of your new favorite foods. They’ll most certainly be one of your body’s favorites.
Why eat this crunchy root veggie?
Other than the fact that shaved radishes enhance the beauty and flavor of any dish, the addition of this root vegetable to your diet will help target and treat a range of ailments. When you begin to enjoy radishes regularly, you will benefit in the following ways:
Weight loss support — Because radishes have a high fiber content, they’re extremely filling, yet low in calories. They also have a low glycemic index, meaning they do not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. Since influxes of insulin cause your body to store more fat, stable blood sugar levels are highly beneficial to your weight and overall health, making radishes great for diabetics.
Treat dreaded UTIs — If you’ve had a urinary tract infection in the past, you know how painful they can be. Since radishes act as a natural diuretic, radish juice is just the thing for UTIs. Not only will this root vegetable aid in the prevention of UTIs, but it can treat them as well. As they cleanse the kidneys, radishes help reduce discomfort and the burning sensation often associated with these infections.
Prevent cancer — Radishes are rich in numerous vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, folic acid, as well as cancer-fighting flavonoids. Specifically, radishes are rich in anthocyanin, which has been shown to reduce the growth of cancer cells by as much as 50 to 80 percent.
Starve a fever — There’s nothing worse than a fever that just won’t quit. Radishes can actually help cool your body temperature while boosting overall immune function. They’re also dense in terms of their water content, keeping your cells hydrated and helping to cool you down. By consuming radishes you’ll also target inflammation as well as potential infections, which may be contributing to your fever.
Reduce hypertension — Considering that approximately one out of every three Americans suffers from high blood pressure, it’s critical to stay on top of this serious condition. Radishes have antihypertensive properties, helping to control high blood pressure. They’re also rich in potassium, which helps to counteract the effects of a high sodium diet. In addition to their positive effects on blood pressure, radishes reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease as well.
Detoxification — Radishes are excellent detoxifiers, helping to purify the blood and eliminate toxins from the body. More specifically, those suffering from jaundice can significantly benefit from regular consumption of radish, based on its ability to remove bilirubin and reduce red blood cell damage. In this case, black radishes are preferred.
So, next time you’re out shopping, whether it be at the farmers’ market or the supermarket, pick up a beneficial bundle of radishes. They’re extremely diverse and can be used in a wide range of recipes. They can be prepared in a number of ways, including steamed, julienned, boiled, juiced, and roasted.
Slice them into a fresh salad, dip raw radishes into homemade hummus, or lightly steam them with herbs for an easy and nutritious side dish. Start experimenting with these crunchy and uniquely flavored root vegetables to boost your health and widen your culinary horizons.
—Krista Hillis
Krista Hillis is passionate about nutrition, mental health, and sustainable practices. She has her Bachelors in Psychology and Neuroscience and is still active in her research. Studying both the body and mind, she focuses on natural health and balance. Krista enjoys writing based on her ability to inspire others and increase overall awareness.
Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6954696.stm
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf8005917
