Organic Consumers Association of Australia link
Radishes may not be the most popular vegetable in your garden, but they are one of the healthiest. These undervalued root vegetables are packed with nutrients.Radishes have been used as a folk remedy for centuries in Ayurveda & Chinese Medicine to treat many conditions: fever, sore throat, bile disorders, & inflammation. Radishes contain small amounts of:
potassium
folate
riboflavin
niacin
vitamin B-6
vitamin K
calcium
magnesium
zinc
phosphorous
copper
manganese
sodium
Additional health benefits.
Radishes are a good source of vitamin C - 1/2 cup offers about 14% of your recommended daily allowance. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps battle free radicals in your body & helps prevent cell damage caused by aging, an unhealthy lifestyle, & environmental toxins, and also plays a key role in collagen production, which supports healthy skin & blood vessels.
1. Weight loss
A 1/2-cup serving of sliced radishes contains about 12 calories & virtually no fat. They are the perfect crunchy snack when the munchies strike.
2. Anticancer
Cruciferous vegetables like radishes contain compounds that are broken down into isothiocyanates when combined with water. Isothiocyanates help purge the body of cancer-causing substances & prevent tumor development.
A 2010 study found that radish root extract contained several types of isothiocyanates that caused cell death in some cancer cell lines.
3. digestive system
A 1/2-cup serving of radishes gives 1 gram of fiber. Eating a couple of servings each day helps reach your daily fiber intake goal. Fiber helps prevent constipation by bulking up your stool to help waste move through your intestines. Fiber also may help you manage blood sugar levels, and is linked to weight loss & lower cholesterol.
Radish leaves may be especially beneficial. Results of a 2008 study on rats fed a high-cholesterol diet suggest that radish leaves are a good source of fiber to help improve digestive function. This may be partially due to increased bile production.
A separate study showed that radish juice may help prevent gastric ulcers by protecting gastric tissue & strengthening the mucosal barrier, which helps protect your stomach & intestines against unfriendly microorganisms & damaging toxins that may cause ulcers & inflammation.
4. Natural Antifungal
Radishes contain the antifungal protein RsAFP2. One study found RsAFP2 caused cell death in Candida albicans, a common fungus normally found in humans - may cause vaginal yeast infections, oral yeast infections (thrush), & invasive candidiasis.
Radish bulbs, also called globes, come in many shapes & colors. The most popular radish variety in the US is bright red resembling a Ping-Pong ball with a small tail. Other varieties are white, purple, or black.
Most radishes have a peppery taste, although some may be sweet. Lighter-colored varieties like the white, winter daikon radish are milder.