The Differences Between Radish and Beets

Health wealth is one of the most infamous quotes used by almost everyone around the world. Good health is something everyone desires, and one food item can guarantee that it is leafy root vegetables. Radishes and beets are edible root vegetables in their entirety, from the leaves down to the fleshy roots. The roots are also beautifully created in luscious colors from murky purple to meretricious purple, such that they attract you to them in the grocery store.

The two vegetables are so much alike that you can easily mistake one for the other. Based on physical appearance, the difference between radish and beets is that radishes are usually smaller in size. Over time the size of radish has been compared to a Ping-Pong ball. While some beets are purple outside and yellow or white inside, radishes usually have pink or white exteriors and white interiors.

It is possible to get confused about which of them is suitable for a meal since they are nutritionally alike. If you’re going for spicy, juicy, and crunchy, radish is your guy. But if you’re going for sweet and crude, then beets are the best fit. Radishes and beets differ most in their characteristics of taste. Even with the varying characteristics, one thing is sure; you can never go wrong with radish and beets. They’re as flavorful and nutritional as they come.

Botanically, beets and radishes are very different. Beets are from the Chenopodiaceae family-like spinach and quinoa, while radishes are from the Brassicaceae family, like broccoli and cauliflower. These root vegetables can be used interchangeably in recipes.

Benefits/side Effects Of Beets And Radishes

Health Benefits

Beets

• Beets are loaded with vitamins and minerals and low in calories and fat. They also contain inorganic nitrates and pigments, both of which have health benefits.
• Beets contain a high concentration of nitrates, which have a blood pressure-lowering effect. This may lead to a reduced risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke.
• Beets may enhance athletic performance by improving oxygen use and time to exhaustion. To minimize their effects, beets should be consumed 2-3 hours before training or competing.
• Beets have anti-inflammatory effects.
• Beets are a good source of fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health and reducing the risk of chronic health conditions.

Radishes

• Radishes are known to control damage to our red blood cells, and in the process, also increase oxygen supply to the blood.
• Radishes could also provide your system with ample roughage and fibers, therefore improving digestion, regulating bile production, and safeguards the liver.
• Radishes are a good source for anthocyanins for proper heart functioning.
• Radishes also provide the body with potassium, which can help lower blood pressure and help hypertensive persons keep blood flow in control.
• Radishes also help to fix acidity, obesity, gastric problems, and nausea, among others.
• Radishes are also good for the skin. It prevents dryness, acne, pimples, and rashes.

Side Effects

Beets

Beets are safe for most people when taken in the amounts typically found in foods. Beet is also safe for most people when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts, unless in allergy cases.

Beets can make urine or stools appear pink or red. But this is not harmful. There is concern that beets might cause low calcium levels and kidney damage. But this hasn’t been shown in people.

Precautions In Taking Beets

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if beet is safe to use as a medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Kidney disease: Eating too many beets might make kidney disease worse.

Radishes

Radish is safe for most people when taken in moderate amounts. Taking large amounts of radish can irritate the digestive tract. Some people might be allergic to radish, but this is rare.

Precaution In Taking Radishes

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough information to know if radish is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid using more than amounts found in foods.

Diabetes: Large amounts of radish might lower blood sugar. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use radish.

Gallstones: Use with caution if you have gallstones. Radish increases bile flow. In people with gallstones, this effect might increase the risk of sudden pain due to a gallstone blocking the bile duct.

Surgery: Large amounts of radish might lower blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using radish at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Can Beets And Radishes Be Planted Together?

Companion planting is when various types of plants are grown together for synergistic effects. For radishes and beets, companion planting is possible because of the sparse difference between their growth duration. While radishes are fast-growing and can be harvested within 28–30 days, beets take longer. Beets are slow-growing and would usually take 50 – 60 days before they can be harvested.

Companion planting for radish and beets is important because it helps in thinning out vegetable seedlings. After planting radish and beets together and you must have harvested radish, the soil becomes loosened for the beets to flourish. Aeration is important for plant growth. With companion planting of radish and beets, there will be an improved circumnavigation of air in the soil. Below are some tips for planting root vegetables like radishes and beets.

• Loam soil is the best soil for planting root vegetables because of its high organic matter content. The addition of sandy soil will go a long way in lightening up the loam soil so that it doesn’t get too heavy for the vegetables when watered.
• Add compost and water soil before sowing seed. If you’re using garden pots, make sure to fill the pot with enough soil because root vegetables require enough soil depth to flourish.
• To achieve faster germination of your beets, soak seeds in warm water before sowing. This will help to loosen the hard shell.
• Cover seeds with enough peat moss to keep them warm and moist.
• Seeds should be sown on land, 5-10cm apart. With radishes in between beets but not together. Thin when necessary and avoid overcrowding.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON BETWEEN BEETROOT AND RADISH

Beetroots and radishes are both very healthy root vegetables. Although root vegetables generally are healthy, they differ in the number of their healthy components. The nutritional comparison given below is contained in a tabular form for radish and beetroots.

TABLE OF NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION	CALORIES	FIBERS	CARBS	SUGAR
BEET-ROOTS	4%	14%	6%	27%
RADISH	1%	7%	2%	6%

Table 1: Nutritional Composition of Beets as Radishes

• Calories: Beets have been found to contain higher calorie composition than radishes. Per a cup, beets contain more than radishes but, if you’re looking to cut down on calories and lose little weight, radish is preferable. But if you need healthy foods to gain weight fast, beets are preferable in your diet.
• Fibers and carbs: You may already be eating high fiber and carb foods. High fiber food is essential as they help in the easy digestion of foods. Dietary fibers can be gotten from natural sources, such as fruits, whole grains, and root vegetables. Beets and radishes offer enough fiber per diet, but one contains more than the other. Either of these can be used to achieve a high fiber diet.

For carbs, it depends on how starchy the vegetables are. Beets are starchier than radish. Therefore, if you’re looking to embark on a ketogenic diet journey, radishes are preferable in your diet.

• Sugar: Beets have been known to be called sugar roots by so many. Some have even called it sugar beets. Using beets as desserts and in a salad is nice because of its sweet taste. It’s almost like beets can make anything taste better due to its sugar composition.

• Minerals: The minerals in these root vegetables include; iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

	IRON	MANGANESE	COPPER	MAGNESIUM	CALCIUM	POTASSIUM
BEETS	4.44	3.5	3.75	5.75	1.6	9.29
RADISH	1.89	2.2	3.75	2.5	1.6	6.66

Table 2: Mineral Composition of Beets and Radishes

Beets contain more iron, potassium, magnesium, and manganese than radish. While they have an equal amount of copper and calcium. These minerals are needed by the body to prevent several health challenges like high blood pressure, increases blood flow to improve organ function.                                        

• Vitamins: The importance of vitamins in our daily diets cannot be overemphasized. Vitamins enhance human immunity towards several infections. It gives your immune system all the boost it needs to help you fight against diseases. 

RADISH	BEETS
VITAMIN B COMPLEXES	VITAMIN B COMPLEXES
VITAMIN B-2	VITAMIN B-3+
VITAMIN B-6	VITAMIN B-5+
VITAMIN B-9	VITAMIN B-6+
	VITAMIN B-9+

 

Radishes contain vitamin C and Vitamin B complexes. All of which come together to keep you healthy and fit. They help to maintain healthy skin and hair roots and prevent diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. The vitamin contained therein serves as an antioxidant.

Beets, on the other hand, have been implicated in containing more vitamin B complexes than radish. It also contains a lesser amount of vitamin C than radish. It contains 28% DV, while radish contains 7% DV.

Are Turnip And Beets The Same Thing?

Turnips are another beautiful root vegetable. However, turnips and beets are different things. They look and taste so alike; hence struggling to differentiate them is a possibility.

They are both root vegetables, but turnips have larger bulbs than beets. Beets usually have a purple hue with a white or purple inside. At the same time, turnips occur in different colors. Beets are more popular than turnips and are widely used than turnips. Turnips have been overlooked by so many people, even with its numerous healthy contributions to diets. Turnips are low in calories and contain plenty of nutrients, including fiber.

It has been attributed to be effective against intestinal problems, high blood pressure, cancer, weight loss, and digestion.

Buying turnips in the grocery store might be easy with just knowing the physical appearance, but how do you select the best? Selecting the best bundles of turnips are quite easy. Look out for the turnips that are smaller in size and heavy. 

The smaller sized turnips mean they were harvested when they were young. Harvesting turnips at a young age leaves them with a better texture. The turnips tend to have a sweeter and mildly flavorful texture. With age, they become spicier and earthier.

Also, look out for fresh turnips. Ensure that the turnip leaves attached to the roots are green. Do not throw away the leaves. They can be included in salads or soups. Trust me, the soups are always a delight and can be eaten alongside other foods, and for relaxation. 

Conclusion

Beets, turnips, and radish are all important to our health and should be added to our daily diet. While beets and radishes are a versatile vegetable that can be eaten either cooked or raw, turnips need to be cooked first. This doesn’t reduce the glee gotten from eating either of them.

Today, try something new. Use vegetables to salvage chemotherapeutic drugs. The natural sources are the best because everything is pure and raw without additives. Your body will do better with these vegetables than most drugs. Remember, a vegetable a day keeps the doctor away. Give your immune system the boost that it deserves and stay healthy.