Radish is a root crop, which, along with turnips, more than once saved the population of our country from starvation. Although undeservedly forgotten, its popularity is only now growing.
The fruits of this plant were used even during the existence of Ancient Egypt, then mainly vegetable oils were made from it. In Russia, everything was much simpler, stew and healing decoctions, infusions were prepared from radish.
Now radish is grown in many countries of the world, many varieties have appeared. The most common include:
Green. It is best suited for those individuals who do not like spicy food. This variety of plant has an almost neutral taste and no bitterness. Although the healing properties are at a low level.
“Daikon”. This radish has an oblong shape. She is the sweetest of all varieties. The main benefit of eating daikon is its ability to remove fluid and purify the blood.
Chinese, Margelan , or loba . It’s all about one Asian variety. These are large rounded fruits, they can be elongated or cylindrical. Root crops are mostly green, but may have a different color, up to purple. The taste of this variety is very reminiscent of the taste of an ordinary radish, juicy and fragrant.
Oilseed. This variety does not have a large root crop. It is used mainly in agriculture.
Serpentine, Indian or from Madras. This variety is dominated not by underground fruits, but by green pods, which are consumed raw and thermally processed. In our country, this variety is extremely rare and is not grown, since the climate of our country does not suit the plant.
And the most popular and useful variety is black or “Nochka”. Indeed, it is in this variety that contains the largest amount of useful elements and vitamins. It is used for the preparation of medicines in traditional medicine. It is ideal for preparing salads and adding to other dishes.
Radish composition, calories, vitamins and minerals
The high nutritional value and high value of the vitamin composition made this radish very popular all over the world. It contains a huge amount of useful substances that are in an accessible form for absorption by the human body.
The root vegetable is useful for strengthening bones and helps maintain vision, thanks to vitamin A. Vitamin C allows you to remove harmful substances from the body and strengthen it.
Thanks to vitamin PP, with the help of radish, you can accelerate the breakdown of fats and improve metabolism. B vitamins can improve metabolic processes and maintain a normal nervous system.
Lysozyme, which has antibacterial properties, helps prevent infectious diseases. Dietary fiber normalizes bowel function and removes harmful substances.
Phytoncides, which are found in large quantities in radish, can reduce the frequency of colds, deactivate existing “harmful” microbes in the body and prevent the mutation of healthy cells.
What is useful radish
To protect yourself from seasonal colds, it is enough to consume only 100 g of radish. After all, the root crop has a high antibacterial effect.
Even traditional medicine recognizes that radish is a natural antibiotic. Root vegetables can improve the functioning of the digestive tract and improve appetite.
The plant is also useful in the presence of hepatitis. The plant allows you to saturate the brain with oxygen and remove toxins. Helps to cope with excess weight.
The use of radish during pregnancy and breastfeeding
The main benefit of a vegetable for expectant mothers is the ability to control your body weight. Radish helps to get rid of edema, so it is useful in the third trimester, when this problem becomes extremely relevant.
However, you should not get carried away with this root crop, as it can cause an increase in the tone of the uterus, and this is a real risk of miscarriage.
For women who are breastfeeding their babies, the root vegetable will be very useful, as it stimulates milk production.
Can children eat radish
Calcium and iron contained in the root crop will help save the child from problems with bones and teeth. Give your child the opportunity to choose the variety that he likes the most.
The black variety of radish is ideal for getting rid of coughs and improves appetite. Lotions from the pulp will accelerate the healing of wounds and remove bruises faster.
Radish can be introduced into the diet from the age of 3. At an earlier age, the root crop can cause irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.
Is radish good for weight loss
The vegetable is useful in the process of losing weight because it contains fiber. This substance is a plant fiber that promotes gentle bowel cleansing. And potassium, which is rich in root crops, removes excess fluid, which contributes to weight loss. Vitamin C helps to remove “bad” cholesterol and speed up metabolic processes in the body.
The pulp of root crops contributes to the burning of subcutaneous fat when applied externally. Wraps are made from it.
The use of radish in diabetes
Radishes have a very low glycemic index of 12. This gives the right to include this product in the diet of diabetics. It can be used regardless of the type of disease.
The vegetable helps speed up metabolism and cope with excess weight, because it prevents the rapid entry of glucose into the blood. Root vegetables help cleanse the blood and remove cholesterol plaques from blood vessels. Iron allows you to increase the level of hemoglobin and remove puffiness.
In the presence of sugar disease, the root crop is consumed mainly in its raw form. It can be added to salads. But you should not use it in an amount of more than 100 g per day.
How to take radish for medicinal purposes
The healing properties of this plant are recognized only for black radish. It is ideal for the treatment of coughs, as it helps to expel phlegm. You can prepare the medicine in the following way: remove the middle of the root crop with a spoon, namely the pulp and put honey there. After 5 hours, the resulting juice is consumed in a tablespoon 4-6 times a day.
To get rid of gallstones, vegetable juice (100 g) is mixed with 50 ml of immortelle tincture. Take the medicine 4 times a day, a couple of tablespoons. The medicine must be taken 60 minutes before a meal. The course of treatment is 21 days.
And to cope with cystitis, the root juice is mixed with honey and drunk in a tablespoon 3 times a day. In this way are treated for 2 weeks.
The use of radish in cosmetology
And those who prefer simple and affordable means in cosmetology, black radish is ideal. It is equally suitable for oily and dry skin. With regular use, you can get rid of oily sheen and acne.
Be sure to do a test application the first time you use it to see how your skin reacts. To do this, a small amount of juice is applied to the skin, and the reaction is observed for some time. If during the day there is no inadequate reaction, then the radish can be used.
Radish harm and contraindications
Remember that excessive introduction of radish into the diet can cause an upset digestive tract. If you have not previously eaten this root crop, then introduce it gradually, observing the reaction of your body.
You will have to give up the vegetable if a person has an increased acidity of the stomach, an ulcer or gastritis is present. A contraindication is also the presence of pancreatitis and cholecystitis. It is unacceptable to eat root crops if chronic intestinal diseases have worsened.
It is undesirable to use root crops for diseases of the liver and kidneys, after a heart attack, for at least 6 months.
How to choose and store radishes
Quality radish fruits should be dense, firm and without defects. If fruits with remnants of greenery are sold, then they should have a bright green color. Refuse to buy if the leaves have already wilted and turned yellow. Root vegetables with cracks will have a sharp taste. Vegetables can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Radish is a tasty and healthy root vegetable. People who use it on a regular basis note that their digestive tract improves, colds and migraines disappear. Radish improves heart function and is simply a delicious vegetable that can be consumed daily.