21 PROPERTIES OF RADISH FOR HEALTH - NUTRITION - 2024

Some of the health properties of radish are to alleviate urinary problems, treat constipation and vitiligo, prevent respiratory problems, control blood pressure, improve capillary health, help to lose weight and others that we will explain below.

Radishes can be white, purple, red or black, round or cylindrical in shape. They are eaten raw, cooked or as pickles and their seeds also provide an oil that is used in different health products.

What is usually consumed from radishes are their flowers, leaves, seeds and pods. In Asia, the radish is called "daikon".

Top 21 healthy properties of radish

1- They relieve urinary problems

This food, being a natural diuretic, helps the production of urine, and even, as published in the journal Applied Radiation and Isotopes, its use is recommended to treat infections exacerbated by toxins in the body.

These benefits can also be extended to the elimination of kidney stones. Radish juice helps relieve inflammation of the urinary tract and the burning sensation that occurs when urinating during a urinary infection.

2- Cancer treatment

Radish is very rich in vitamin C, in addition to being a powerful detoxifier, which is why the International Society for Horticultural Science suggests that its use is highly recommended in cancer patients, especially those of the colon, kidney, intestines and stomach.

Radishes have a major impact on the genetic pathways of cancer cells, in fact, they can cause apoptosis, thus eliminating the reproduction of cancer cells.

3- It is a powerful anti-inflammatory food

A study showed that radish is a powerful anti-inflammatory. This is due to the fact that it has a unique molecule, which helps reduce inflammatory intermediates in the blood, which normally cause inflammatory symptoms as a result of an infection or injury.

4- Treatment for vitiligo

The seeds of radishes are used as a treatment for vitiligo, this due to the detoxifying and anti-cancer properties they possess.

Radish also contains vitamin C, phosphorus, zinc and some members of the vitamin B complex, elements that are good for the skin.

Furthermore, the water in radishes also helps maintain healthy moisture levels in the skin.

Due to its disinfecting properties, radishes also help clear up skin disorders like dry skin, rashes, and cracks.

5- Relieves constipation

A study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, showed that radishes are a very high source of fiber, which means that they add considerable volume to bowel movements, promoting regular excretory patterns and alleviating symptoms of constipation.

6- They prevent respiratory problems

This plant is an excellent anti-congestive due to the large amount of Vitamin C it contains, as it prevents the spread of infections in the throat and lungs, and also relieves inflammation in the nose and respiratory tract.

Along with this, radish has a strong and natural spice, so it can also remove excess mucus from the throat, helping to improve the airways.

7- They control blood pressure

Radishes contain a high dose of potassium in their composition, an element that various studies have shown to be extremely effective in controlling blood pressure.

The role of potassium in the bloodstream is that when it interacts with the arterial supply of vascular beds, it can relax the blood vessels, thereby increasing their flow. It reduces pressure by widening the flow of blood, rather than forcing it through narrow channels.

8- They relieve liver problems

This plant has proven to be very efficient in controlling the health of the liver and stomach, acting as a powerful detoxifier.

As suggested in the book Treatment of Jaundice by François Du Port, its use is extremely useful in the treatment of this disease, since it eliminates bilirubin and also maintains its production at a stable level.

Radishes also reduce the destruction of red blood cells that happens to people suffering from jaundice by increasing the supply of fresh oxygen to the blood. Black radishes are more preferred in treating jaundice, and radish leaves are also very helpful in treating.

9- Low glycemic index

This food contains a low glycemic index, also helping the absorption of sugars in the blood.

This characteristic makes it highly recommended for people suffering from diabetes, since they can stop worrying so much about the spike or rapid fall when they eat, or stay away from food for a certain period of time.

10- Acne Treatment

As mentioned above, radish is highly recommended for maintaining skin health.

This plant is high in vitamin C, vitamin B complex, phosphorus and zinc, which helps to maintain a more moist and healthy skin. Its use is even recommended as a natural cleanser for the face.

Moreover, the disinfectant elements in radishes help to eliminate various such as dry skin, itchiness, rashes, infections and skin problems like skin scratches.

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11- They are a powerful antifungal

The anti-fungal protein RsAFP2 is present in this plant, which according to a study caused the death of a common fungus normally found in humans, causing vaginal infections and oral yeast infections (thrush).

12- They treat kidney problems

As a diuretic, cleanser, and disinfectant, radishes help in the treatment of many kidney disorders. Its diuretic properties help eliminate toxins accumulated in the kidneys and reduce the accumulation of toxins in the blood, thus reducing their concentration in the kidneys.

Radish also helps prevent kidney stones, as well as helping to treat them.

13- They help the treatment against hemorrhoids

Radishes are considered a forage, which means that it is composed of indigestible carbohydrates, which facilitates digestion, water retention, and fixes constipation, which is one of the main causes of hemorrhoids.

As mentioned earlier, this plant has detoxifying properties, which helps to cure hemorrhoid symptoms very quickly.

The juice of radishes is also recommended to alleviate discomforts in the digestive and excretory systems.

14- Relieves the discomforts of osteoarthritis

Vitamin C is essential for the manufacture of collagen, which is part of what constitutes cartilage present in the human body

The vitamin C present in radish is also an antioxidant that can help limit cartilage damage that can be caused by free radicals found in the body. Ultimately, this can help anyone who has been diagnosed with arthritis, as well as prevent it in the first place.

15- Helps maintain hair health

Radish, by improving blood circulation, also helps our body maintain better scalp health, preventing hair loss and improving the appearance of new hair.

This food can also be used to treat excessive dryness or oiliness of the scalp, as it would provide the necessary nutrients for the scalp.

16- They help to lose weight

Radishes are high in fiber, so they provide a significant sense of hunger satisfaction, without increasing the calories in the diet. They are low in digestible carbohydrates and have a lot of water inside. Their glycemic index is low, so they also improve the efficiency of metabolism in general.

17- They serve to reduce the temperature

Radishes lower the body temperature in cases of fever and also relieve the inflammation caused by these rises in temperature. Drinking an infusion of radish juice with salt also helps as a disinfectant, fighting infections that cause fever.

18- They are an antipruritic food

Who has not experienced the annoying sensation of itching after insect bites such as mosquitoes or fleas; even from bee stings. Radish juice helps reduce pain, decrease itching, and relieve discomfort in affected areas.

19- They help in cases of dehydration

Radishes are mostly made up of water, so they're a great way to stay hydrated.

Maintaining adequate levels of hydration benefits the body in different ways, especially the digestive system, as it reduces constipation, improves the efficiency of the digestion process and ensures better absorption of nutrients from food in the digestive tract.

20- They help in the treatment of jaundice

Because of its detoxifying properties, radishes are very good for the stomach and liver. They manage to purify the blood and eliminate toxins and waste from the body. This is why they are so efficient at treating jaundice, removing excess bilirubin to an acceptable level.

They also reduce the destruction of red blood cells that occurs in patients suffering from this symptom, increasing the supply of fresh oxygen in the bloodstream.

In these cases, the black radish is the one that provides the greatest benefits, like the radish leaves.

21- They serve in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Radishes are rich in anthocyanins, water-soluble pigments that give vegetables their purple color. These are a type of flavonoids that, in addition to providing color, provide many health benefits.

They have been shown to reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, as well as their anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Other benefits

In addition to their low glycemic index and high water content, radishes are an important source of minerals such as magnesium. They also provide iodine, potassium that helps the circulatory system and central nervous system function, and sulfur, which acts as a powerful antioxidant.

Radishes also have an important contribution of vitamin C, another antioxidant that performs anticancer functions in the body. Another substance with the same properties that radishes contain are isotocyanates, which help prevent cancer by stopping the development and growth of the tumor in the body.

The same function is performed by the protease inhibitors contained in radishes, since this stops the growth of cancerous tumors. All these compounds together would have anticancer effects.

They are useful for treating skin conditions such as acne and they improve wound healing. They also relieve the discomfort of burns and insect bites that cause itching and pain.

Due to its high fiber content, it improves the function of the digestive system. It allows to increase the intestinal flora and reduce the amount of bacteria that cause bloating, gas and heaviness. Also its bactericidal capacities are useful in case of diarrhea and constipation, as in gastroenteritis or irritable bowel syndrome. In addition to this, it is an excellent diuretic, due to its high levels of potassium.

How to incorporate them into the diet and ways to consume them

Radishes are an herb that belongs to the cruciferous family, therefore it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and bactericidal properties. It reaches up to 80 centimeters high and the most edible part is the tuber that is found at the base of the stem and part of the root.

There are historical records of its consumption from ancient times, being part of the basic diet of the slaves who built the pyramids in Egypt.

Radishes, in addition to their many nutritional and health benefits, are easy to find and an inexpensive vegetable. You can find different varieties of radishes that provide the same properties to the body and consume them in many different ways.

They can be crushed into radish juice, eaten raw as part of salads, or added to cooked foods.

Radish juice is known for its healing properties and to aid in weight loss diets. It is recommended to mix it with carrots to increase its nutrients even more. According to a Japanese study, this juice would allow to eliminate the fat deposits that are in the organism.

Two glasses of radish juice a day will detoxify the body, improve liver and kidney functions and maintain good digestion, avoiding constipation.