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Radishes are great for salads and much more. While most people know about red round radishes, this cruciferous vegetable actually comes in a large variety of colors and shapes. From white to black and round to narrow, what they all have in common is that they are full of health benefits. In fact, the ancient Greeks and Romans used radishes for their medicinal properties according to WebMD.
It's really easy to incorporate radishes into your diet. Besides adding them to salads, juice them, roast them, or add them to other cooked dishes. While radishes are a root vegetable, radish leaves are also edible and good for you. So buy the red globe radish or try the daikon Japanese variety that is long and looks like a parsnip. If you are really adventuresome, check out the black Spanish radish and reap these seven rad radish benefits.
Highly Nutritious
Radishes are low in carbs, have few calories, and have a low glycemic index level, but they are rich in vitamins and minerals including calcium, vitamins C and B6, folate, potassium, iron, and more. They also contain one gram of fiber per serving. So enjoy a serving of radishes in your mix of healthy vegetables.
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Supports a Healthy Gut
Radishes are rich in lignin, an insoluble fiber and this helps to prevent constipation and keep you regular according to Clean Eating Magazine. But radishes can also help protect your stomach from gastric ulcers. A 2008 study found that freshly squeezed radish juice helped to prevent ulcers by bolstering the barriers in your stomach and intestines that block bacteria and inflammation. Add some radishes to your veggie juice mix to support a good gut feeling.
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Helps Boost Your Immune System
The vitamin C (an antioxidant) in radishes help to strengthen your immune system by boosting the production of lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help fight off infections according to Clean Eating Magazine. The vitamin B in radishes helps with the production of new cells that keep your immune system functioning.
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May Reduce Diabetes Risk
Radishes contain the chemical compounds glucosinolate and isothiocyanate that help regulate blood sugar according to WebMD. In fact, radishes have a low glycemic index due to its high fiber content which means the natural sugars in radishes will not cause a spike in your blood sugar after you eat. A 2017 review of studies published in the journal Nutrients actually found that eating radishes can reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
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Has Antifungal Properties
These root vegetables are natural antifungals due to the RsAFP2 protein they contain, according to Clean Eating Magazine, which can kill the Candida albicans fungus. That's the one that causes yeast infections and thrush. Eat radishes to help you fight off fungal infections or as a preventive measure.
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Contains Anticancer Properties
Eating cruciferous vegetables may help prevent some cancers according to Healthline. That's because they contain isothiocyanates that can help purge your body of cancer-causing substances. Also the antioxidants in radishes can reduce inflammation and protect against cell damage. A study found that radish seeds have been found to help kill breast cancer cells, lung cancer cells and other antioxidants may offer protection from other cancers too.
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Enhances Liver Function
Radishes may also help your liver to detoxify and heal, according to WebMD, because they contain indole-3-carbinol and 4-methylthio-3-butenyl-isothiocyanate. These same compounds also help your kidneys flush out toxins. It's no wonder that radishes are used in ayurvedic healing to stimulate bile synthesis to extract toxins.
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