Radishes – A vegetable that offers many benefitsReading time: 6 min

Have you heard of spring radishes or radish greens?

If you are a lover of salads, you probably already know them.

This vegetable is loaded with potassium and can be too peppery for some people. Despite its pungent characteristic, it is an edible vegetable.

Keep reading and learn about it, its nutrients and benefits, and how to prepare them in your meals.

Physical description

Radish balloons, also known as bulbs, come in a variety of sizes and colors. The most commonly eaten radish cultivar is vividly colored and has a small tail like a ping-pong ball. Radish root is mainly eaten as a vegetable. 

They are found in black, purple, or white. They can be oblong in shape or larger.

Although some radishes can be sweet, radishes generally have a spicy flavor. The flavor is milder in types with a lighter color, such as winter white daikon radish.

Daikon radish is also very popular and is loaded with a lot of nutrients.

If radishes are not eaten soon or not eaten right away, they take on an excessively spicy taste. The finest flavor and texture can be found in the smallest radishes.

History and production

The true wild varieties of radish can still be found in China, where they were first cultivated. The word “radish” is derived from the Latin word “radix,” which means “root,” and more specifically, the root of the radish.

This cruciferous vegetable was one of the first vegetables brought to the New World. In Haiti in 1565 and Mexico in 1500, radishes were already being grown commercially. Globe radish harvestings have spread over time.

The radish quickly gained popularity in the Americas, and today it has become very common in American homes. So, there are more and more companies in the world planting radishes.

The radishes tree is easy to grow and germinate. Radishes can sow at any time but the best season to grow well is in the spring. 

There are 3 types of radish variety, the daikon, the black radish, and the little radish.

Surely you have heard about winter radishes and summer radishes. But their difference varies most of all in size, they are from the same family of radishes.

Know the nutrients and benefits that this root vegetable has so that you are encouraged to consume them.

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Nutritional Value of Radishes 

Vitamins

• Lutein + zeaxanthin 11.50 mcg
• Carotene, beta 4.60 mcg
• Riboflavin [Vitamin B2] 0.045 mg – 3 % of DV
• Thiamin [Vitamin B1] 0.014 mg -1 % of DV
• Vitamin B6 0.082 mg – 5 % of DV
• Niacin [Vitamin B3] 0.292 mg – 2 % of DV
• Folate, food 28.75 mcg
• Folate, DFE [Vitamin B9] 28.75 mcg – 7 % of DV
• Vitamin K 1.5 mcg -1 % of DV
• Vitamin C [Ascorbic acid] 17.0 mg – 19 %
• Choline 7.5 mg – 1 % of DV

Vitamin K1 [Phylloquinone] – 1.5 mcg

Minerals

• Copper 0.06 mg – 7 % of DV
• Calcium 28.75 mg – 2 % of DV
• Magnesium 11.50 mg – 3 % of DV
• Iron 0.39 mg – 2 % of DV
• Potassium 267.95 mg – 6 % of DV
• Phosphorus 23.00 mg – 2 % of DV
• Sodium 44.85 mg – 2 % of DV
• Selenium 0.69 mcg – 1 % of DV
• Zinc – 0.32 mg – 3 % of DV
• Protein 0.78 g – 2 % of DV

Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrate 3.91 g – 1 % of DV
• Fiber 1.84 g – 7 % of DV
• Sugars 2.14 g
• Net carbs 2.07 g
• Fat 0.115 g – 0 % of DV
• Saturated fatty acids 0.037 g -0 % of DV
• Hexadecanoic acid 0.031 g
• Octadecanoic acid 0.005 g
• Monounsaturated fatty acids 0.020 g
• Octadecenoic acid 0.020 g
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids 0.055 g
• Octadecadienoic acid 0.020 g
• Octadecatrienoic acid 0.036 g

Other

• Water 109.56 g

Radishes health benefits

Reduced Diabetes Risk

Radishes also are a good source of chemicals like glucosinolate and isothiocyanate. These can help control blood sugar levels. 

Radishes may encourage our bodies to naturally manufacture more adiponectin. More of this hormone may offer protection from insulin resistance.

Additionally, radishes contain coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that aids in preventing the development of diabetes.

Improved Liver Performance

Two compounds that promote the liver’s detoxification and repair processes are found in radishes: indole-3-carbinol and 4-methylthio-3-butenyl-isothiocyanate. These same molecules also assist the kidneys to clear out pollutants.

Promote the health of the digestive system

Radishes contain 1 gram of fiber per 1/2 cup serving. We can achieve our daily fiber intake goal by eating a few servings of fruit and vegetables every day. 

By giving our stool more volume we can avoid constipation. In this way, waste will pass through our intestines more easily.

Especially advantageous can be radish leaves. Radish leaves are a useful source of fiber to aid enhance digestive function.

If you still want to consume more fiber, you can include persimmons, bananas, and spinach in your diet.

Strengthened cardiovascular system

Radishes are rich in antioxidants and minerals like calcium and potassium. Together, these nutrients lessen your chance of getting heart disease and high blood pressure.

Additionally, radishes are a wonderful source of nitrates that occur naturally and improve blood circulation.

Do you know how to cook with radishes?

Here I explain, look at these recipes.

Radishes recipes

Roasted radishes

Preparation time: 35 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 5 garlic cloves
• 400 grams of radishes (thin)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Procedure:

The oven should be heated to 200°C/180°F. 
Place the radishes and crushed garlic in a roasting pan, season to taste, and then sprinkle with oil. 
Garlic and radishes are coated by tossing.
Roast the radishes for 30 to 40 minutes, or until they are soft. 
After removing the garlic’s skins, gently stir and serve.

 Salad with radish and cucumber

Preparation time: 12 minutes

Servings: 10

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of radishes
• 1 cucumber
• 1 large red onion
• 1 celery heart
• 1 bunch of flat-leaf parsley
• 6 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of lemon juice

Procedure:

1. Slice the cucumber into quarters. Cut each quarter into chunks that are about 1 cm in diameter.
2. Put the cucumber into a tray or a serving bowl. Include parsley, celery, onion, and radishes.
3. Combine the lemon juice and oil in a lidded glass container, season, and shake well.
4. When the salad is ready to be served, drizzle the dressing over it and toss it to incorporate.

Go ahead and prepare them at home and enjoy their flavor and benefits. Radishes are delicious, Emeril Lagasse also thinks the same:

“Radishes grow just about anywhere. People think, ‘Oh it’s just a radish.’ But radishes are delicious, and people don’t think of cooking them.”

Enjoy the delicious spiciness of radishes