
3 Hidden Benefits of the Radical Inconspicuous Radish
Written by: Nasreen Hoosen, RD(SA)
At first glance, the petite radish, with it’s amazing array of beautiful pink, purple and white hues may seem more like a garnish than a nutritious healthy addition to your meals. Don’t be fooled by their beauty as these little vegetables have a whole lot more to offer, particularly when it comes to your health.
The hidden value of the Radical Radish lies in the following health benefits which it confers:
- Improved Digestion
Like any other vegetable, radishes are packed with fibre. However, what makes radishes so great for digestion is the specific kind of fibre they contain. Radishes are rich in lignin, which is an insoluble fibre that helps prevent constipation and keeps you regular.
In addition, research shows that radish juice, in particular, can protect your digestive system. A study discovered that drinking this juice helps prevent gastric ulcers, by protecting the gastric tissues in your stomach and intestines. This can help your GI tract fend off unfriendly bacteria and inflammation.
- Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases
The fibre present in radishes further helps to reduce the rate at which glucose is absorbed in your body thereby preventing blood sugar spikes and it lowers your blood sugar levels.
This could be key if you’re hoping to avoid insulin resistance later in life, or if you experience high blood sugars or want to prevent Diabetes.
Of course, filling your plate with radishes won’t completely eliminate your risk for diabetes. But adding this peppery veg into your diet can help you better control the factors that may influence your risk.
According to other research, the juice and sprouts of this hidden gem, also has antioxidant protective effects thereby reducing oxidative stress caused by free radicals (toxins in food or the environment that causes damage to our body cells). Vitamin C, an antioxidant found in radishes, helps to combat cancer-causing free radicals that may be present in your body. It can reduce inflammation and protect against cellular damage too. It doesn’t end there…
- A Stronger Immune System
Like any other vegetable, radishes are packed with vitamins, more especially Vitamin C and B Vitamins.
The Vitamin C in radishes can strengthen your immune system by helping boost the production of white blood cells, the white soldiers, that help fight off infection in our bodies.
Simply put, that means Vitamin C ensures that your immune system’s cells are working well to keep you healthy.
Vitamin B has a similar effect. Research shows that B Vitamins encourage the production of the building blocks of our cells. This lays the foundation for new white blood cells too thereby supporting your immune system to keep functioning well.
You can incorporate radishes into your diet in so many ways. One way to add radishes to your daily intake, is by tossing some in your daily juicing mix. Alternatively, you can add it to salads, soups or stews or if you quite like the peppery taste, simply snack on them in between meals by dunking them in some cottage cheese or low-fat home-made hummus if you prefer.
Whether you’re slicing them thin and tossing them into a salad or simply just topping off your avocado toast, or adding them to your roasting vegetables with a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper, they’re sure to give your health the boost it needs.
So why not invest in the Radical Radish – not only will you discover a new taste preference for them, but you’d be amazed at how inconspicuously they work to transform your health from the inside out.