White radish, a delicious vegetable with its many health benefits

When shopping at supermarkets or traditional markets, have you ever seen vegetables that resemble carrots but a larger version? The difference is, this vegetable is white which is complemented by green leaves on the top. Its name is white radish vegetable. This type of vegetable that is delicious to prepare as a soup has a myriad of health benefits, you know. Are you curious about the benefits of white radish? Listen below, let's!

What are white radish greens?

Source: Epicurious

White radish, also known as daikon and Japanese radish, is a vegetable that originates from China. This vegetable is then widely cultivated in Indonesia, especially in lowland and mountainous areas. At first glance, Japanese radish has a shape that resembles a carrot but with different sizes and colors.

Vegetables that have Latin names Raphanus raphanistrum var. sativus this, get into the family Brassicaceae or Cruciferaceae . The vegetable group is still in the same family as cabbage or cabbage.

It takes soil with a loose and fertile structure to get good quality Japanese radish vegetables. Uniquely, this vegetable can be planted during the rainy season or the dry season. With a note, it must be given enough water to keep it thriving when planted during the dry season.

Actually there is not just one, but there are several types of radishes on the market. However, it is this type of radish with a white color that is usually easiest to find in the middle of the vegetable section when you are shopping.

For those of you who like vegetables or are interested in always trying new dishes, this food made from Japanese radishes can be an interesting choice. It tastes almost the same as potatoes but a little bit bitter. But don't worry, because the taste of Japanese radish will be even more delicious when it's been processed.

What are the nutrients in white radish?

Japanese radish vegetables may not be as popular as the type of vegetables you usually find in vegetable vendors and traditional markets. In fact, it seems that there are still many people who will be a little confused when asked about this distinctive white vegetable.

Even so, you don't need to doubt the nutritional content in it. It is proven that according to the Food Composition Data of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, there are various important nutrients contained in this type of radish.

In 100 grams (gr) of radish, can contribute about 21 calories, 0.9 grams of protein, 0.1 grams of fat, 4.2 grams of carbohydrates, and 1.4 grams of fiber. In addition, a number of minerals and vitamins also complement the nutrients in this vegetable from the bamboo curtain country.

Starting from calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, B vitamins, vitamin C, to vitamin K. So from now on, don't hesitate to eat radish vegetables which are not only fresh but also healthy for the body.

White radish benefits for health

Like other types of vegetables, white radish contains high enough fiber. The content of these nutrients is definitely good for the health of your digestive system. However, it turns out that the benefits of white radish do not stop here, there are still many benefits that you may not know about.

Here are the various benefits of white radish for the body:

1. White radish can help you lose weight

As said before, white radish is quite high in fiber. This is good for those of you who are running a diet program to lose weight. Slightly different, such as when you eat food sources of carbohydrates, fats and protein.

The fiber contained in food will pass without going through the digestion process, so it will not increase blood sugar levels. More than that, fiber will actually facilitate digestion because it provides food for the good bacteria in it.

Fiber can bind too much fat that has accumulated in the body. Not only that, by consuming lots of fiber sources such as white radishes, you will feel full faster.

Satiety usually lasts a long time because the fiber is able to fill the space in the stomach. This method will later make the brain receive a signal that you are full, and do not need to eat more. The fiber content in these vegetables will also slow gastric emptying, so you are full longer.

That's how fiber works to help maintain weight, even lose it. So, you no longer need to blame unhealthy snacks for failing weight loss diets. Because now, eating more food sources of fiber can help maintain weight.

2. Maintain a healthy cardiovascular system

A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found interesting facts about daikon radishes. This type of radish is said to contain certain compounds that can help prevent heart disease and stroke.

No wonder, because radishes are known to be rich sources of antioxidants. This nutrient content is believed to be able to lower high blood pressure, as well as prevent the risk of heart attack and stroke. Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant found in radish which is beneficial for health.

Including to maintain the function of the heart and blood vessels. Many studies have shown that these antioxidants can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and others.

3. Inhibit the growth of cancer cells, and even prevent it

White radish belongs to the vegetable family cruciferous , which is believed to help prevent cancer. This is because the vegetables in this group have a high content of isothiocyanate compounds.

Isothiocyanate is a type of antioxidant that can rid the body of cancer-causing substances, even preventing tumor development. In general, antioxidants are compounds that act as body protectors from bad free radical attacks.

The reason is, exposure to free radicals has the risk of causing various dangerous chronic diseases in the future. Not only contains anthocyanins, white radish also has high levels of vitamin C, folate, and various other types of antioxidants.

One of the factors that cause cancer is the presence of free radicals in the body. The high level of free radicals can mutate normal cells of the body, so that cancer cells can appear and grow.

The factors of increasing age, unhealthy lifestyle, and environmental influences are some of the things that can trigger exposure to free radicals. Here, many studies also prove that antioxidants have an effect on the cancer treatment process.

In that study, patients who were given supplements containing antioxidants tended to go through the chemotherapy treatment process better without experiencing severe symptoms.

4. Lowering high blood pressure

In radishes also contain potassium which is useful for maintaining normal blood pressure. In almost all cases, high blood pressure usually results from too much sodium in the body. Meanwhile, the way potassium works is clearly the opposite of sodium.

That's why potassium can help reduce the side effects caused by sodium, and prevent blood pressure from rising. You see, the kidneys act as a counterweight to the amount of fluid in the body. The higher the body fluids, the higher your blood pressure will be.

The way the kidneys work to regulate fluid balance is by filtering the blood and absorbing excess fluid. Furthermore, the remaining liquid will be excreted in the form of urine. The mechanics of the body involve a balance of the minerals sodium (salt) and potassium.

Indirectly, getting too much salt intake will certainly disturb the balance of body fluids. On the other hand, this condition will also affect kidney function. Increasing eating food sources of potassium, one of them from Japanese radish, can help balance body fluids.

This will optimize the work of the kidneys, so that it can help reduce high blood pressure.

5. Good for diabetics

The glycemic index of radishes is relatively small, so this type of vegetable is safe for consumption by diabetics. The reason is, a low glycemic index will not increase blood sugar levels in the body. In a sense, the lower the glycemic index value, the less it will affect insulin levels and blood sugar levels.

That is why when diabetics eat white radish, this vegetable will play a role in regulating the entry of sugar into the blood. So, diabetics do not need to worry about a sudden increase in blood sugar.

This statement is also proven by research from the journal Nutrients, which states that eating white radish is good for people with diabetes. Japanese radish has antidiabetic properties, thanks to its ability to increase blood sugar absorption.

Not only that, radish from the land of the bamboo curtain also helps energy metabolism, increases antioxidant defenses, and reduces disease-causing oxidative stress.

7. Prevent liver damage

A study from Toxicological Research, found that white radish contains a special enzyme that has hepatoprotective activity in it. The hepatoprotective properties of radishes are considered to be able to counteract the hepatotoxic effects on the body.

Hepatotoxic is the liver damaging properties possessed by certain toxic agents. Well, eating white radish is believed to be able to ward off the bad effects of the agents that cause liver damage.

How to prepare white radish?

Source: Flick on Food

For those of you who are just cooking white radish for the first time or even have often cooked white radish, there are a few processed tips that you can try. Not just providing a variety of new cooking variations. Dare to experiment with Japanese radishes, of course, it will give the dish a much more interesting and delicious taste.

Here are some ways you can include radishes in your daily diet:

• Add thin slices of radish to a breakfast sandwich.
• Mix the radish as a texture enhancer in the sauce for cooking. You can make it together with garlic, chilies, and other herbs.
• Cut the radish into small pieces, then mix with the cucumber and carrots as a pickle.
• Add a few medium-sized chunks of boiled turnip to a bowl of your favorite vegetable salad.
• Tuck a few chunks of turnip between the patties, veggies, and burger meat.

As with various other types of vegetables, this Japanese radish is equally healthy and delicious when eaten. These vegetables can give their own distinctive aroma when mixed with other foods or sautéed with a little oil.

In addition, it's fine if you want to pair daikon radishes with other types of vegetables such as mustard greens, kale, or spinach. In addition to adding to the taste of food, the combination of various types of vegetables in one process will further increase the nutritional value in it.

White radish recipe

Getting interested in trying white radish as a family lunch and meal menu? No need to be confused, some white radish recipes that you can try at home:

1. Beancurd white radish soup

Source: Delicious Serving

Materials needed:

• 1 radish, divide into 4 pieces and chop
• 2 pieces of beancurd, soak in water then cut into squares
• 2 ear mushrooms, soak then cut into small pieces
• 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk
• ½ cup of carrots, finely chopped
• 1 ½ tablespoons salt
• ½ teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp fish sauce
• 1 spring onion, cut into medium size
• Boiled water to taste
• 2 tablespoons fried garlic for sprinkling (according to taste)
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil

How to make:

1. Sauté the nipples briefly until they turn brown.
2. Boil water in a saucepan, then add the stir-fried celery and garlic slices. Leave it until the water boils and smells good.
3. After boiling, add the chopped radish and carrots, then add salt, pepper, sugar, and fish sauce. Leave it until all the ingredients in it are cooked.
4. Next, mix the tofu and ear mushrooms that have been soaked in water beforehand, then cook until the ingredients soften.
5. Add the spring onions just before the heat is turned off, while all the ingredients are evenly stirred.
6. Remove the tofu and white radish soup into a serving bowl, then add a sprinkling of fried garlic.
7. White radish soup mixed with beancurd is ready to eat.

2. White radish salad

Source: Platings + Pairings

Materials needed:

• 1 medium white radish
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• ½ tablespoon white pepper
• ½ tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 spring onion, sliced ​​into small pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp vinegar (to taste)

How to make:

1. Peel and clean the radishes, then cut into thin strips.
2. Place the chopped radish in a bowl, then add the chili powder, white pepper, salt and sugar.
3. Add the chopped spring onions and garlic to a bowl, then stir until everything is well combined.
4. If you like, you can add a little vinegar to add flavor to the radish.
5. Turnip salad ready to serve.

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