Radish: health benefits and harms

Radish belongs to the cabbage family. The plant got its name from the Latin "radix", which translates as "root". The diameter of its root crops is more than 2.5 centimeters. The outer shell is quite thin, it has a red, pink or white-pink hue. Due to the considerable amount of mustard oil in the composition of radish, its taste is typically sharp.

What is the difference between radish and radish

The following significant distinguishing features can be distinguished:

1. The size. The diameter of radish root crops is usually not more than 3 cm, and in radishes this indicator is fundamentally larger.
2. Taste. In radishes, it is somewhat more tender and piquant, although the sharpness and bitterness are inherent in both vegetables.
3. Colour. The shade of the radish is usually white or green, while the radish has wider color varieties, it is red, gray, lilac, brown, less often yellow.
4. Sowing period. At a radish it is spring – summer. Radish is usually planted in mid-June to harvest in the fall.

As for the ripening time, here the radish has a much shorter time. After 10-12 days, a root stem develops in the root crop. And after about 1 month you can harvest a full crop.

Composition and calorie content

The composition of radishes contains a large number of chemical elements. These are vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, PP. The plant also contains:

• sugar;
• fiber;
• enzymes;
• fats
• potassium;
• sodium;
• fluorine;
• phosphorus;
• chromium;
• zinc;
• sulfur;
• protein;
• other items.

It is noteworthy that in 100-120 g of this plant contains the daily intake for humans in vitamin C.

As for calorie content, then in 100 g of fresh vegetables, this figure is only 14 kcal. Due to this, they can be consumed without health consequences by overweight people, diabetes, liver problems and gall bladder.

What is useful radish

General benefit

Radish has a beneficial effect on human health. It affects the whole body as a whole, has a tonic effect, gives vigor for a long time. You can also highlight the following beneficial properties of the plant:

1. Radishes contain antioxidants. They can often be found in medicines designed to fight cancerous tumors. Experts say that taking these substances makes it harder for blood to enter cancer cells, causing them to break down. If you regularly use this plant, the risk of getting sick is reduced by 65 percent.
2. One of the main features of radishes is a beneficial effect on human immunity due to the high content of vitamin C. Eating small amounts of vegetables can provide the body with the necessary calcium, important acids and many other elements. Doctors recommend using radish instead of vitamins from a pharmacy.
3. B vitamins have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Periodic ingestion of this vegetable helps to feel calmer, improves sleep and eliminates excessive fatigue.
4. Radish contains volatile - natural antibiotics. They fight bacteria in the oral cavity, eliminating bad smell. To achieve even greater effect, it is recommended to use radish along with other vegetables.
5. The plant is used for preventive purposes in the flu season. It can strengthen the immune system, make it more resistant to viruses. And during the period of the disease, the root crop juice has a therapeutic effect (1 tablespoon 3 times a day).
6. The presence of fiber (2.5 times more than in an apple) helps to improve the digestive system, increases metabolism, provides the cells with the necessary oxygen, enhances blood circulation, thereby breaking down fats, which helps to lose extra pounds.
7. The ability to thin the blood helps to prevent diseases such as atherosclerosis, stroke, myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases. Radish helps with varicose veins and any other thrombosis.
8. Radish helps control blood glucose, reduces the number of jumps, which is necessary for people with type 2 diabetes. The plant is useful for gout and obesity.
9. Mustard oil, which gives the vegetable a bitter aftertaste, acts as a natural antiseptic. It disinfects the cavity of the internal organs and prevents inflammation.
10. Radish root juice cleans and disinfects wounds and abrasions, improving the regenerative qualities of the skin. It helps with headaches, just rub the whiskey juice. The use of radishes with grated prunes can reduce the craving for alcoholic beverages and easily overcome a hangover.
11. Radish is widely used for cosmetic purposes. It helps to whiten the skin, smooth the relief, cleanse the pores. To achieve this effect, it is necessary to mix the radish, after grinding it, with lemon juice and use as a mask for 20 minutes.

As you can see, the list of useful properties of this vegetable is quite impressive.

For women

Radish has a positive effect on the female body.

1. Periodic consumption of vegetables significantly reduces the likelihood of cancer cells in the mammary glands.
2. Digestive processes and skin condition are also improved.
3. Radish regulates water and salt balance, removes excess fluid. The plant has a rejuvenating effect.
4. The presence of a large amount of dietary fiber helps in the fight against excess weight.

For men

1. Salads with radishes have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system of the male body, which significantly reduces the risk of heart disease.
2. Periodic consumption of the plant helps remove unnecessary cholesterol. A vegetable improves the functioning of the whole organism, has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Radish has shown great results in countering obesity, gout, and diabetes. It saturates the body with energy, fights chronic fatigue, maintains potency in a normal state for many years.

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, radish is a very useful product, mainly because of the high fiber content that improves bowel function. A similar ailment is experienced by most pregnant women. A problem such as constipation is not uncommon, but laxatives can harm the baby.

A considerable amount of various vitamins makes a radish for pregnant women simply a necessary component of the diet. However, there are also negative aspects. In order for the radish to have an extremely beneficial effect, it is recommended to eat it only in stew or in processed heat. Only in this case, you can not be afraid of adverse reactions.

In its raw form, radish can cause gas formation. It also contains a large number of pathogenic bacteria, so you need to thoroughly wash the root crop before use. It is recommended to use baby soap.

When breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, you need to carefully approach the daily diet, as the condition of the baby’s gastrointestinal tract depends on this. Due to the fact that the use of radishes causes colic, bloating and stool disorders in the baby, experts advise to refuse to take radishes for food while breastfeeding. After the child reaches the age of 3 months, you can eat a small amount of radish in consultation with your doctor.

For children

For children, radish is a very useful product due to the abundance of vitamins and minerals. But the child most likely will not like the taste of the vegetable, therefore it is recommended to give it in small quantities in salads. A child can use radishes from the age of two, the minimum age is one and a half years, but only after consulting a doctor. It is important to make sure that the child has no problems with the gastrointestinal tract and food allergies.

Upon reaching the age of three, children are already recommended to give up to 40 g of radish. Observing their well-being, you can increase the intake of vegetables over time.

Since radishes help improve appetite, you can use it as a snack if your child does not eat well. The vegetable also strengthens the hair, nails and teeth of children.

Useful properties of radish tops

Radish tops are most often thrown away, however, it contains all the same nutrients as in root crops, only in a smaller ratio. It has a pleasant taste with a little bitterness. There is not much mustard oil in the tops, which is why it is less spicy.

The presence of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) strengthens the walls of blood vessels and is beneficial for immunity, folic acid (vitamin B9) has a beneficial effect on the brain and nervous system, vitamin PP removes excess cholesterol, B1 and B2 help control blood sugar, calcium needs bones, potassium good for the heart, iron lowers the risk of anemia.

Based on this, you should not throw radish tops. It is used in cooking in various salads in combination with other herbs. In addition, there are no particularly severe restrictions on its use.

Is it possible to eat radish when losing weight

The abundant content of mineral salts in radish root helps to strengthen immunity, which is very important when losing weight. The use of this vegetable favorably affects the human circulatory system, helps in the regeneration of tissues, especially bone, which means that a change in weight will not affect the body in a negative way.

Often problems with extra pounds are associated with disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, and, as mentioned above, regular use of radishes can improve the digestive system. Vitamins of group B contribute to this. They also improve the activity of the cardiovascular system. Fiber helps fight excess cholesterol.

When losing weight, not only the root crop, but also the tops are useful. It is recommended to regularly add it to salads, soups and other dishes to taste - it is perfect for them.

Earlier it was written that radish can cause appetite, which is not a good property during weight loss. Ascorbic acid (which affects appetite) is found in large quantities in bright varieties, while in white it is practically absent.

Radish in medicine

Useful properties of radishes affect its widespread use for medical purposes. It is used for a variety of ailments. Some of them will be considered later.

With diabetes

In diabetes mellitus, the use of radishes is very important. It not only contains important fiber, but also provides the human body with almost all the vitamins and minerals he needs. With the regular use of this vegetable, you can completely stop adding salt to salads. In addition, some types of radishes can satisfy the hunger and completely saturate a person without harming the figure.

The calorie content of radish (14 kcal per 100 g) allows you to eat it with diabetes mellitus of the second type. Fiber helps break down carbohydrates, fights sudden changes in glucose in the body.

Important: radish glycemic index - 15 units.

With pancreatitis

Radish refers to the list of products that are strictly prohibited to all people suffering from acute pancreatitis or exacerbation of a chronic disease. This is due to the following features:

1. The vegetable contributes to the abundant secretion of pancreatic juice, which activates aggressive proteolytic enzymes (enzymes that break down proteins, as well as the gland itself).
2. The plant has a choleretic effect on the body, which also affects the formation of the above enzymes.
3. The root crop has a laxative effect.

Radishes should not be used in case of remission.

With gastritis

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa is a rather serious problem, in which it is very important to eat properly and monitor your diet. Since radish contributes to the excessive secretion of gastric juice, increasing its acidity, it is strictly forbidden to eat it.

You can not eat this vegetable with a stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer.

For constipation

Against constipation, a decoction from the tops proved to be excellent. You need a tablespoon of crushed plants pour a glass of boiling water. Insist 1 hour. Drink for 2-3 days one third of an hour before meals.

With gout

With improper metabolism, uric acid salts are collected in the joints, which entails a disease known as gout. The diet for this disease is important to carefully and carefully select. There is very little uric acid in the radish (9.6 mg per 100 g), but still you should not use it for the duration of the disease.

The ban does not apply to vegetable juice, which, together with carrot juice, has a healing effect.

For the liver

For problems with the liver, a decoction of radish tops is recommended. It is prepared as follows: take a lot of greens, pour 2 cups of water, bring to a boil, leave half of all the water to evaporate, add a little sugar and drink.

You need to take it within 3 days (therefore, it is advisable to prepare so much radish in advance so that it is enough for the entire period), while it is worth minimizing the intake of other food and drinks, using only a decoction.

With hemorrhoids

With this ailment, experts advise increasing the intake of products that contain coarse fibers (non-digestible carbohydrates). They help improve the digestive system and fight constipation, which is the main cause of hemorrhoids. The radish contains coarse fibers, so it is useful in this disease.

Radish-based traditional medicine recipes

Decoctions are prepared from radish, which will help in the treatment of a variety of ailments.

From migraine and sciatica

To prepare it, you will need the following ingredients:

• Radish tops - 10 g.
• Radish pulp - 10 g.
• Water - 0.2 l.

Cooking is as follows:

1. Mix the dried tops with boiling water.
2. Combine with pulp, previously crushed on a grater.
3. Stir and let it brew for half an hour at room temperature.
4. Skip through cheesecloth.
5. The tool is used for lotions twice a day.

With intestinal atony and constipation

You will need:

• Radish tops - 20 g.
• Water - 0.2 l.

The action algorithm looks like this:

1. Wash fresh tops.
2. Dry with a towel.
3. Cut into small pieces.
4. Add boiling water and let it brew for 60 minutes.
5. Skip through cheesecloth.
6. Drink a decoction for 3 days, 50 ml after meals 3 times a day.

With intestinal atony, vitamin deficiency, gastritis

A decoction of radish and carrot tops helps with intestinal atony, vitamin deficiency, gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice.

Ingredients:

• Radish tops - 15 g.
• Tops of carrots - 5 g.
• Water - 0.2 m.

Cooking Method:

1. The tops of both vegetables in dry form must be carefully chopped.
2. Add boiling water.
3. Leave for a quarter of an hour.
4. Pass through cheesecloth.
5. Take 50 ml several times a day.

With vitamin deficiency and gallstones

Required:

• Radish tops - 10 g.
• Savory leaves - 10 g.
• Salt - 2 g.
• Water - 0.3 l.

Prepares a decoction as follows:

1. Grind the tops of radish and savory. To mix.
2. Add salt to the water. Pour the mixture into the solution.
3. Refrigerate for several days.
4. Pass through cheesecloth.
5. Drink broth warm several times a day for 30-40 ml.

From constipation and intestinal atony

You will need these components:

• Radish tops - 10 g.
• Beet tops - 5 g.
• Water - 0.2 l.

Cooking method:

1. Dry and chop the beet and radish tops. Mix them.
2. Add boiling water.
3. Insist in closed form for a quarter of an hour.
4. Skip through cheesecloth.
5. Take 50 ml 3-4 times a day.

There are quite a large number of solutions, and each of them is useful for a particular disease.

Radish in cosmetology

Radish is widely used for cosmetic purposes. It has the following useful properties:

• nourishes and moisturizes;
• freshens and tones;
• restores skin color;
• fights dryness and irritation.

Radish-based products can be used for people with normal to dry skin. There are several common recipes for cosmetic products, the main components of which is radish.

Lotion

Radish lotion tones and moisturizes the skin, improves its regenerative properties. The product rejuvenates the skin, gives it an elastic, fresh look.

The following ingredients will be required for the lotion:

• Radish juice - 15 ml.
• Almond oil - 5 ml.
• Mineral water - 0.1 l.

For cooking, just mix together all the ingredients. It is convenient to use a special container with the ability to adjust doses. Apply twice a day, wiping the skin with a sponge.

Radish Cosmetic Ice

Radish ice improves the production of elastin, which smoothes the skin, rejuvenating it. This tool is in no way inferior to salon cosmetic preparations, it provides the skin with useful trace elements.

To prepare you will need:

• Radish - 20 g.
• Olive oil - 10 ml.
• Tocopherol - 20 drops.

Cooking process:

1. Process the radish with a blender until gruel.
2. Mix the oil and tocopherol and add the mass to the radish puree.
3. Distribute the mixture in molds and leave to freeze.
4. Before going to bed after removing makeup, wipe the face with the resulting ice.
5. Repeat for 12 days.

The drug is contraindicated in rosacea.

Refreshing mask

A radish-based refreshing mask gives the skin firmness and freshness. It helps to remove dead cells, saturates the skin with oxygen.

Ingredients:

• Radish.
• Parsley.
• Rye flour - 1 tsp

Cooking:

1. Process the plant with a grater.
2. Mix with parsley juice and flour.

Before applying the mask directly, it is necessary to wipe the face with a hot compress for 3-4 minutes to open the pores as much as possible. This will help the beneficial components of the mask penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin. Only then can the composition be applied. Hold a third of the hour.

Harm and contraindications

Eating radish is contraindicated if a person has an allergy to plants from the cabbage family. You should also abandon the use of vegetables for people with stones in the gallbladder, because a specific composition helps to increase the formation of bile.

You do not need to eat too much radish, as this affects the activity of the digestive tract. It also interferes with the synthesis of thyroid hormones.

How to choose and store radish

Make the right choice of a vegetable will help its appearance. Before buying, you must carefully inspect the fruits for browning and damage. The root crop should be smooth and have a uniform color.

Before storage, the tops should be separated from the roots. Leaves are recommended to be consumed immediately, as they cannot remain fresh for a long time. But root crops can be stored for some time. Duration of storage directly depends on the variety and ranges from 1 week to several months.

As storage, you can use either a refrigerator or a cellar. In the first case, the plant can retain freshness for 4 weeks. The period depends on the storage method. In the cellar, vegetables can lie all winter if certain conditions are met and the right variety is selected.

Is it possible to freeze

You can freeze the radish, but this is not recommended. It is best to eat vegetables for a short time after harvesting. But if there is a lot of it, then you have to resort to freezing. This can only be done if the strict requirements for processing the plant before harvesting and its further storage are met.

What can be prepared from radish

The use of radish in cooking is extremely extensive. It is often added to salads, used as an ingredient in sandwiches for a quick bite. The plant is often used in the preparation of soups and various other dishes.

Terms of use

How much can you eat per day

Radish is a useful vegetable, however, due to its specific taste, not many people like it, so not everyone can eat it in large quantities. Yes, and this is not recommended, especially for ailments associated with the gastrointestinal tract.

Experts advise eating no more than 4–5 pcs. radishes are medium in size, and with a strong stomach, 10–12 pcs can be, but not more. It is also important to eat the vegetable separately from other products, and most importantly - not on an empty stomach.

Can I eat at night

The use of radishes at night is allowed only in a small amount - 1-2 pcs., And preferably a few hours before bedtime. During weight loss, it all depends on the diet, but you should also not eat this vegetable at bedtime, although there will be no significant harm from one fruit.

Since radish saturates the body with energy, eating at night can adversely affect sleep.

Is it possible to eat radish tops

Radish tops are possible and necessary. It contains the same vitamins and minerals as in the root crop. At the same time, it has a milder taste and perfectly complements various salads.

It is important to remember that fresh radish leaves can not be stored for long, so it is recommended to use it right away.

How to remove bitterness from radish

Bitterness from a vegetable can be removed in one of the following ways:

1. Soak in salt water.
2. Rinse the cut parts of the root with water and salt.
3. Treat with boiling water.
4. Cut and pour lemon juice, then add a little sugar to it.
5. Salt, rinse and sprinkle with lemon juice.

In such simple ways, bitterness can be removed from radishes.

Is it possible to give radish to animals

To dogs

It is very important to feed dogs not only with canned food and meat, but also with fresh vegetables and root crops. Among the latter there is a radish. Only give it in small quantities.

Guinea pigs

Guinea pigs are advised to give small doses of radish tops.These animals are well absorbed vitamin C, which is exactly what is in the composition of these vegetables.

Hamsters

Radish for hamsters is a very useful food. Moreover, they are given both tops and root vegetables, but it is important not to abuse this vegetable.

Rabbits

You can give radishes to rabbits already 1 month after birth - first in small doses (no more than 2 root crops), then gradually increasing the volume.

It’s good for rabbits to eat tops, but only fresh.

Snails

Snails can only be given fresh, clean radish tops in small volumes. As for root crops, their snails can be consumed exclusively in very small quantities due to strong bitterness.

Parrots

For parrots, eating greens is a must. It saturates them with essential vitamins and minerals, so radish leaf tops are an excellent food for them. Root crops are strictly forbidden to these birds.

Interesting Radish Facts

1. Relish's relatives are not only turnips and radishes, but also cabbage and mustard.
2. Radish - originally from India, it was brought to Europe by traveler Marco Polo.
3. In Europe, this plant is often called the "French radish" because of the great love of the inhabitants of France for this vegetable.
4. Radish, like potatoes, was brought to Russia by Peter I in the 18th century.
5. A radish weighing 10 kg was able to grow one Israeli farmer. For comparison, on average, one radish weighs only about 20-30 g.

Radish photo