White radish is also known as daikon radish, belongs to the cabbage family. It is native to Asia and Europe.
White radish is scientifically known as Raphanus Sativus var. Longipinnatus. In general, it has several other names like winter radish, long white radish, and oriental radish.
For centuries, radishes including white radish have been in use for medicinal purposes. They were a kind of folk remedy in Ayurveda for some diseases.
White radish helps treat a wide range of diseases, including fever, inflammation, and sore throat. It is also an essential component of some medicines in China due to its pungent characteristics.
In this article, we will look at the nutritional health benefits of white radish.
Appearance:
White Radish is a big leg type radish that looks like a ghost. It develops in soil and offers a mild flavor in taste.
It contains the fast-growing leaves on its upper area, above the ground. White radish is edible after cooking as well as raw.
White radish offers delicious taste with soup and cooked vegetables. One can even enjoy it in the form of pickle. The fresh leaves of white radish are also edible with salads.
Nutrition Facts
White radish is full of water, it has as much as 92% of water. But it’s an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
White radish is also keto-friendly, as it has only 3.3 grams of carbs per 100 grams.
According to the USDA, 100 grams of cooked white radish provides the following nutrients:
- Water: 91.59 grams
- Calories: 43 Kcal
- Protein: 0.65 grams
- Fat: 3.21 grams
- Carbohydrate: 3.3 grams
- Dietary fiber: 1.5 grams
- Calcium: 17 mg
- Iron: 0.15 mg
- Magnesium: 9 mg
- Phosphorus: 23 mg
- Potassium: 275 mg
- Sodium: 267 mg
- Zinc: 0.13 mg
- Vitamin C: 14.6 mg
- Riboflavin: 0.022 mg
- Niacin: 0.145 mg
- Vitamin B-6: 0.037 mg
- Folate: 16 µg
- Vitamin E: 0.35 mg
- Vitamin K: 3.8 µg
Health Benefits Of White Radish
1. Helps treat cancer
White Radish contains a lot of phenolic components such as polyphenols. These compounds can help treat many cancers, including ovarian cancer (1, 2).
The rootlets and the skins of the white radish are very healthy as they are rich in these compounds.
2. Helps in weight loss
White Radish can help you lose weight as it’s rich in fiber and low on calories (3).
Additionally, it is a non-starchy vegetable and contains a low amount of carbohydrates.
Research says that low carb food is more effective in reducing weight than healthy eating (4).
Hence, the consumption of non-starchy vegetables like radish can help you maintain healthy body-weight.
3. Reduces the risk of heart disease
White Radish is full of vitamins, minerals, fibers, and nutrients that protect our heart.
In one study (5), researchers found that a diet high in vegetables is linked with a lower risk of chronic diseases.
Additionally, research says cruciferous vegetables like white radish are highly advantageous for preventing heart diseases (6).
4. Beneficial for type 2 diabetes
Radish and its high-fiber content can help reduce post-meal blood sugar levels (7).
Also, studies have found that consumption of citrus fruits or cruciferous vegetables can protect you against type 2 diabetes (8).
Hence, adding white radish to your regular diet may help you manage diabetes.
5. Promotes healthy digestion
White radish is incredibly high in fiber and water.
Both fiber and water help in bowel movements and ease constipation (9).
Hence, white radish can be an ideal vegetable for preventing piles.
Furthermore, white radish also fights against the harmful microorganisms in your gut.
6. Possesses anti-fungal property
Like other radishes, white radish is also a natural anti-fungal vegetable (10).
It reduces the fungal bacterias that can result in vaginal yeast infections, oral yeast infections, etc.
It also diminishes a toxic fungus called as zen. Therefore, it improves the anti-oxidant levels and prevents reproductive problems.
Conclusion:
Therefore, white radish is an excellent vegetable that can protect you from several chronic diseases. Also, it can help you lose weight and improve digestion.