Did you know, history shows us traces of Greeks and Roman eating radish about 2,500 years ago?
Even today it is widely used in the preparation
of a number of European dishes. Hi viewers and welcome back to Bestie!
The radish is a root vegetable that’s usually white in color though pink, red and black also
exist. The numerous varieties vary in size, color and flavor depending on the time taken to mature.
It has a crisp texture when fresh. The most commonly eaten part is the taproot,
although sometimes the greens are also eaten. Apart from being a great ingredient
for a variety of dishes, radishes have a wide range of health benefits. And in today’s video,
we will tell you what they are. From glowing skin, healthier heart, improved immunity,
weight loss to treating jaundice and more, watch till the end to learn about all of them.
Weight Loss: Radishes can be very filling, which means that they’ll satisfy your hunger without
running up the calorie count. They’re also low in digestible carbohydrates,
high in roughage, and have good water content. So,
they’re a good dietary option for those determined to lose weight.
They are also high in fiber and low on the glycemic index. This means that they can help
regulate bowel movements, assisting weight loss and increasing metabolism efficiency.
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Lowers Cancer Risk: Radishes belong to the family of cruciferous vegetables.
These contain compounds called isothiocyanates that may help combat different forms of cancer.
Their presence in radish seeds have also been found to induce cell death in lung cancer cells.
Radish was also found to exhibit chemopreventive effects with breast cancer.
It can directly stop the growth of cancer cells and lead to cancer cell death. So,
it can be a useful antitumor agent and play a role in cancer treatment and prevention.
Keeps The System Clean: Radishes are loaded with fiber which can bulk up the stool and
ease its passage. This keeps the system clean and functioning. Being a natural diuretic,
they can also purify the urinary kidney systems, relieving inflammation.
Since it is a naturally hot vegetable,
it can even put an end to the burning sensation experienced while urinating.
Furthermore, radishes supply fresh oxygen to the blood which stops red blood cell damage.
Glowing Skin: Radishes are over 95 percent water,
keeping your skin supple and hydrated. They also boast large doses of vitamin C,
which promotes skin health and slows aging. This nutrient increases collagen formation and
decreases oxidative stress, protecting your skin from UV radiation and free radicals.
At the same time, it promotes wound healing and may prevent age-related skin deterioration.
The B vitamins in radishes contribute to a youthful complexion and glowing skin.
Folic acid, for example, scavenges oxidative damage and may reduce the signs of aging.
Vitamin B6 increases the production of feel-good hormones and wards off stress.
This may prevent acne breakouts and premature aging.
Helps Treat Jaundice: Radishes and their leaves are widely considered a natural remedy for
jaundice. Radish juice has a powerful detoxifying effect and this helps purify the blood.
It is useful in controlling jaundice as it helps remove bilirubin and even
regulates its production. Radish also helps to prevent the breakdown of red blood cells
in people suffering from jaundice by increasing the supply of oxygen.
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Benefits the respiratory system: If you are asthmatic or have sinus issues,
including radishes in your diet can help. Radishes are well known to be effective in
clearing mucus from the respiratory tract. This helps overcome breathing issues like asthma.
They are also known to provide protection to the inner lining of the respiratory organs,
preventing allergies and respiratory infections.
Protects against diabetes: By 2060, the number of US adults diagnosed with diabetes is projected to
nearly triple. While simply eating more radishes alone won't negate the risk,
research shows a beneficial relationship between the veggie and the disease.
A study found that radish has the ability to enhance the body's antioxidant defense mechanism
and positively impact hormonal-triggered glucose changes. It also reduces glucose absorption
in the intestine, and promotes glucose uptake. This reduces blood sugar levels.
Helps Fight Fungal Infections:
Candida albicans is one of the most common fungi found in the human body. It’s also one of the
hardest to fight off. An overgrowth of this fungus can cause vaginal and oral infections.
Radish contains an antifungal compound that has been proven to be effective against this fungus.
Treats Kidney Stones: A diet containing radish was found to
increase the elimination of calcium through urine. This can decrease the likelihood of
minerals accumulating inside the urinary tract and forming stones.
Anti Inflammatory Properties: Research has shown that the anti-inflammatory compounds
found in radishes, its roots, and leaves can significantly decrease inflammation throughout
the body. Antioxidants help boost heart health and reduce the risk of developing arthritis.
It may also treat gout and ease discomfort and pain from injuries and strained muscles.
Boosts Heart Health: A compound called anthocyanin present in radishes has
anti-inflammatory properties. These can help prevent heart disease. They also help with
peripheral artery disease, heart failure and even kidney disease. It can also circulate
metabolites and prevent heart ailments by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Improves Immunity: The presence of Vitamin C in radishes makes them an excellent choice for
boosting body immunity. This vitamin helps to regulate metabolism and helps the formation of
collagen. Collagen strengthens blood vessel walls and prevents the onset of various heart diseases.
A strong immune system is vital for good health and you can boost it naturally in
a number of ways. Learn how by watching “7 Ways To Naturally Boost Your Immune System”
Now, back to Reasons Why You Should Eat Radish Everyday
Moving on, here’s how to pick the best Radishes
Typically, radishes are available fresh in the produce section. And you might find them
sold by the pound with the leaves attached or de-stemmed and packed in plastic bags.
Go for radishes that are plump, firm, and smooth. Make sure the leaves are bright green and fresh.
Avoid radishes with black spots or cracking, as well as oversized or older radishes.
Raw radishes taste best when they're young and about 1-inch wide
Radishes aren't usually sold frozen or in cans,
but they're sometimes available pickled. However, the pickled ones tend to have
added sugar, so check the ingredients or consider pickling them yourself.
Now, let’s talk about how to prep and store radishes
To prep fresh radishes, scrub and wash the orbs, then cut the root tip and stems to help the veggie
last longer. The stems spoil faster, so they'll make the radish rot quickly if you leave them on.
While you can technically peel radishes, you might not want to with certain varieties such
as red radishes, which get most of their peppery flavor from the skin.
From there, you can slice, dice, grate — or just serve them whole.
Don't be so quick to toss out those stems and leaves; they're totally edible. In fact,
research suggests that radish leaves have even more antioxidants than the vegetable itself.
Their leaves are also high in fiber and have a similar peppery flavor. The top
of the stems just under the leaves tend to be more tender, while the bottom close
to the radish might be too tough to eat. So go ahead and toss those parts in the compost bin.
Store radishes and their leaves separately in the refrigerator. The radishes should
last about two weeks, while the leaves will last two to three days.
Here are a few ways you can cook radishes:
When it's time to cook, both the radishes and leaves can be sautéed,
roasted, steamed, or eaten raw.
As a roasted side dish: If you're not crazy about the spicy flavor of raw radishes,
try roasting them for about 15 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Roasting tones down the peppery flavor and brings out their natural sweetness,
making them more pleasant for different palates. These maple-roasted radishes with dill feta,
for example, offer the perfect combo of sweet and savory.
In a salad: Spice up a boring salad with thinly sliced raw radishes.
Try it in a spring pea shoot salad with figs, blue cheese, and walnuts, or make a radish caesar salad
for a fun twist on a classic dish. You can also toss sautéed or roasted radishes into warm salads.
As a pickled condiment: Pickled radishes make for a delicious meal topper. You can add them
to meat-based meals for a bit of brightness and acidity. To make it, combine chopped radishes,
water, vinegar, a little sugar, and your favorite spices in a jar. Let it sit for
a few minutes or a couple of hours, if you have the time to let the radishes absorb the
flavor. You can also buy pickled radish online or at your local grocery store.
As a garnish: Due to its peppery taste, a single radish can go a long way. Try garnishing a main
entrée — like this herb-baked salmon — with a thinly sliced radish for a dose of color,
nutrients, and flavor. You can also grate or shred a radish on simple dishes, such as avocado toast.
Eating vegetables like radishes is a great way to stay healthy,
you should also make fruits part of your regular diet. Learn more by watching:
8 Healthy Fruits You Should Be Eating And 8 You Shouldn’t
Or
9 Great Fruits That Naturally Cleanse Your Body
So go ahead and watch one or both of these videos for maximum benefits.
How often do you eat radishes? Let us know in the comments section below!