Radishes
By: Christian Dischler
Ever wonder what secrets these little root vegetables hold for our health?
Radish bulbs come in many shapes and sizes. Ranging from the small watermelon radish, to the elongated and light daikon radish. Found in specialty dishes, like kimchi, or in a more casual setting like garnish on a fresh salad, these bulbous veggies are wonderful helpers to our bodies. They’re cruciferous vegetables and contain a healthy amount of sulfur, iron and iodine.
These minerals assist our bodies by acting as a natural pesticide which works to kill intestinal parasites. They also preserve the cleanliness of our arteries by creating a barrier in blood vessels to prevent plaque build-up. This cardiovascular support leads to a healthier you by preventing heart disease and increasing good cholesterol, while reducing bad cholesterol. Radish skin repels almost every cancer type, while simultaneously restoring your kidney, liver, pancreas and spleen. Talk about a lot of help from a little root!
The tops of radishes have a case for being the most thrown away veggie component of all time. They’re often left to rot, when in fact they’re full of wonderful benefits for our bodies. They’re considered the second most naturally occurring prebiotic. On top of that title, they’re packed with minerals, phytochemicals, vitamins and antioxidants that help fight cancer.
The tops of radishes have a case for being the most thrown away veggie component of all time. They’re often left to rot, when in fact they’re full of wonderful benefits for our bodies. They’re considered the second most naturally occurring prebiotic. On top of that title, they’re packed with minerals, phytochemicals, vitamins and antioxidants that help fight cancer.
Next time you’re browsing the local market grab a radish bundle to take home and experiment with. Try them raw on a salad to keep their spicy flavor profile intact. Or roast them with some garlic oil and herbs to calm down their pepperiness. And don’t forget to save the greens! Rinse them off and add them into a chopped salad, or sauté them quickly like you would spinach. Your body will thank you.
