If you wish to look ravishing, go ‘radish-ing,’ we say. Deemed as the king of fiber and goodness, radishes are full of flavor, crunch, and health. Despite numerous radish health benefits, there have been some apprehensions about this root vegetable. Most of these come from the gas and bloating they cause.
Allow us to tell you that these issues can be managed very easily. Do not consume more than 70g of radish every day, and you are good to go. Moreover, the health benefits radishes harness will prove extremely beneficial to the body.
Ranging from anti-cancer properties to immunity-boosting qualities, this fibrous root vegetable is full of benefits that can lend aid with any health condition.
Radish health benefits are not only limited to solving health problems. They are the most recommended vegetable for managing diet and weight loss. Deemed as the king of fiber, this low-calorie vegetable helps build immunity, protect against cold and flu, and manage diseases such as diabetes.
For starters, all radishes are low in calories and high in fiber. Given the number and varieties of radishes, it could be confusing whether all radishes are low calorie or only select a few. Well, it’s all of them. But the fiber and the calorie aspect are only the benefits that are obvious to the naked eye. Several layered radish health benefits are worth discussing and drawing attention to.
Let’s look at some of the fifteen most compelling health benefits radishes have to offer to us.
1- Liver & Stomach Care:
The root is beneficial for treating jaundice as it removes the bilirubin and maintains its production by keeping it at a required level. Black radishes, in particular, have been celebrated as ‘natural medicines’ for jaundice. The high fiber content in radishes helps maintain liver health by eliminating toxic contents that may affect the liver.
Given the high fiber content, radishes work as natural laxatives. It helps reduce the pressure on the stomach. Moreover, its antibacterial properties help eliminate any underlying stomach infections that may cause complications. This is particularly important for digestion. On certain days when one has had a high-calorie diet, we’d recommend a small bowl of radish with it.
2- Anti-Cancer:
This crunchy root is the answer to prevent and protect the body against cancer-causing substances and tumors. The radish nutrition factor lists out its high fiber content that keeps colon, kidney, intestinal, stomach, and oral cancer at bay.
The radish’s diuretic property helps in flushing out any toxic chemotherapy waste that the body may have had during treatment. Thus, radishes help prevent cancer and also aid during chemotherapy treatment.
3- Aid for Red Blood Cells:
One of the lesser-known radish health benefits has got to be its effect on red blood cells. Fiber is one of the key elements to help build healthier blood cells. Not only that, but radishes also help build better oxygen circulation in the body. Oxygen is the food for our blood cells; it helps them thrive.
4- Fighters Against Urinary & Fungal Infection:
As an antifungal agent, radish juice consists of enzymes that kill common fungus and bacteria found in the human body. Including radish in regular diets is known to eliminate yeast infections.
This is particularly true for women. Genital yeast infections are quite common in women. Consuming a small portion of radishes can help prevent these infections. Moreover, if one is infected, include radishes in your diet. They will aid the antibiotics and show favorable results soon.
By its very nature, radish is highly diuretic. This means that it promotes urine production. It helps, in turn, to flush out all the toxic waste from the body as soon as possible. Radish juice is also known to help cure any urinary tract infection that toxic elements cause in the body.
5- Guards for the Heart & Blood Pressure:
As great sources of anthocyanins, radishes reduce the risk of cardiovascular ailments. The root’s high vitamin C source, folic acid, and flavonoids ensure that the heart keeps functioning smoothly.
One of the best ways to take care of any heart blockages is to combine some radish juice with apple cider vinegar, ginger juice, and some garlic. It is a natural remedy for heart blockage and congestion. With garlic, radishes help thin the blood and blockages—this aids in better blood flow and control.
Potassium is one precious mineral the human body needs. While it may stay in its balance in our body for the rest of the year, this may not be true for the summers. Heat and perspiration cause more loss of potassium from the body than it is accounted for. Adding radishes to one’s diet not only protects us from such a loss, but the potassium stimulates better blood circulation. It loosens the blood vessels and increases the blood flow.
6- Fever-Flu & Inflammation Fighters:
This one is more for radish leaves. Usually, we tend to discard the leaves, but they have similar benefits as the root. Brew radish leaves with tea. Radish leaf tea is one of the best options to lend comfort and speedy recovery during flu, cold, and fever. The peppery flavor lends the much-needed warmth. Radishes also help ease chest congestion. As a result, it helps reduce the chances of infections in the chest and lungs.
A common issue with any fever or flu is inflammation. Any infection can cause an external (or worse) internal inflammation. As natural disinfectants, radish health benefits reach beyond fever and flu. They help reduce inflammation remarkably, further aiding in speedy recovery.
7- For Skin & Hair Beauty:
Radishes hold vitamin C, phosphor, zinc, and vitamin B, some of the best components for skin’s health. The high water level found in the root helps to maintain a healthy humidity level of the skin. Radishes are often used as face cleansers and packs to reduce dry skin and infections. Consuming radishes regularly increases the number of antioxidants and flavonoids in the body, which changes the skin’s health dramatically.
Some of the most common hair issues are split ends, dandruff, dry scalp, and excessive hair fall. The vitamin C and phosphorus help fight against these issues. Adding a glass of radish juice to one’s daily diet can help with these problems. Moreover, this vegetable’s high folate level lends a luscious shine to the hair and promotes further hair growth. This is one of the reasons radishes are usually recommended for pregnant women. It helps with the growth of the child (especially the hair) and helps the mother.
8-Immunity & Metabolism Boosters:
There are umpteen benefits that a regular radish nutrition chart will list out, but its ability to improve the immune system is the most important aspect. As high carriers of vitamin C, regular intake of radishes helps build immunity and antioxidant levels. This, in turn, helps fight common flu and cold.
Since radishes help better blood circulation, they help blood cells thrive. This automatically helps the cells build stronger white cells, which form the front line defense against infections.
The tuber is known to have properties that help fix acidity, obesity, gastric problems, and nausea. This ultimately helps build a stronger digestive and metabolism system. Radishes have high water and fiber content, both essential elements to help with overall body health and wellness. Moreover, these contribute radically in building metabolism as the fiber helps better digestion and preserve energy.
9- Protectors of Kidneys & Digestive Tract:
As excellent diuretics and disinfectants, radishes help treat several kidney disorders as they aid in hydration and urination, washing away all the toxins gathered in the kidneys. One of the primary radish health benefits also consists of reducing and flushing out kidney stones. The fiber and water content in radishes helps dispose of any excess calcium or salt particles that may form the stones.
As stimulants of bile production, a necessary element for digestion, radishes help eliminate issues of constipation. Furthermore, their fiber-rich content helps cleanse the digestive tract and causes mass intestinal movements. Also, radishes work as a great detoxifier and help curb piles symptoms quickly.
10- Food for the Bones:
The high calcium content found in this glorious tuber promises to help maintain bone density, bone strength, and normal motor skills. It is always advisable to consume natural supplements instead of popping pills.
Moreover, the preserved oils in radish kimchi and pickles also work as lubricants for the bones. Bone health is especially a concern for women. Low bone density is a common side effect of hormonal disorders and menopause. Including radishes in the diet can work as a natural calcium supplement. It helps maintain bone health without affecting the body’s system (a natural counter effect of supplement pills).
11- Strong dietary source:
If you are trying to lose weight, allow the humble radish to take over. The glorious radish health benefits go above and beyond helping the internal organs only. There is an entire science associated with radishes and weight loss. First, the vegetable is low in calories; this automatically means that nothing unhealthy will stick to your body. Second, radishes contain a high amount of water. What this does is that it keeps one full for a longer time. Naturally, the temptation to pick up something else to snack on is ruled out if one is full.
Third, radishes are high in fiber. All fiber-rich foods take longer to break down and digest. Again, one continues to feel full. Thus, not only are you consuming fewer calories, but also ensuring abundant health on the way.
12- Diabetes & High Blood Sugar:
Anyone battling with prediabetes or endangering high blood sugar levels allows the humble radish to assist you in the fight. Radishes are known to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent the onset of diabetes type 2. It helps improve glucose uptake and decrease blood sugar levels. The low glycemic index in the radishes helps with this process. Radishes take longer to break down inside the body. Therefore, unlike foods with a higher glycemic index, radishes do not release sugars in the body instantly. This helps regulate blood sugar levels, balance hormones, and fiber helps with diabetes.
13- Hydration & Detoxification:
Consuming water for detoxifying the body is a piece of common advice. However, often, we tend to forget that. Our per day water consumption drops drastically, causing mild to worrisome symptoms. One way to counteract this lost water is to have radishes. They hold over 80% of water. This helps in keeping the body hydrated and maintaining skin and hair health.
14- Treating Sore Throat & Congestion:
Given the radishes’ pungency, they help against throat and chest congestions but get rid of any excessive mucus. They are equally useful for clearing sinuses. Eating half a bowl of radishes can provide instant relief to the throat. Brewing radish leaves and root with some peppercorns, and having it three times a day gives ample relief to the throat.
Consuming radish juice mixed with some crushed garlic helps ease congestion in the chest and release the mucus. Since the vegetable is antifungal by nature, it does not allow the mucus to accumulate in one place to create further fungal, bacterial, and general infections.
15- Good for the Brain:
Usually, nuts and fruits are accounted for brain health. Their antioxidant and oil properties help in brain function and regulate its nerves. Rarely has there been a vegetable that helps the brain. Radish is one of those. They are rich in vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B2, all sources essential for overall wellness. Minerals such as calcium (helps the bones), potassium (regulates blood pressure), and manganese (regulates the brain and nerve function) help manage the system.
Manganese is a crucial element that helps the brain in hormone production, regulates the central nervous system, and fights alarming internal infection. Moreover, radish consumption may help eliminate multiple sclerosis chances, an alarming condition with aging people.
While these are some of the most discussed radish health benefits, it does not stop here. Radishes play an important role in weight loss. Using various radish-based snacks during a diet helps maintain the necessary fiber intake without compromising on taste or overshooting the calories.
Radishes are also celebrated as rich sources of probiotics or good bacteria when pickled or used in kimchis. Their antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties make it an almost medicine miracle vegetable of the entire lot.
Parting Notes
While radish health benefits are tempting, remember that anything in access can be damaging (despite the benefits). To avoid any gaseous or bloating, avoid eating radishes post evening. Do not consume more than 70g of radish in a day. Excess fiber can cause discomfort.
Regulate the intake of your radishes, but do not avoid it. If eaten correctly, radish is the one vegetable that will never let you down.
