10 Surprising Radish Health Benefits

Radish is a root vegetable that tastes spicy and pungent. While radishes aren’t the most popular food by any means, they have exceptional nutritional value compared to many other vegetables. Its nutrients are exactly what gives the radish its strong taste and there are a lot of surprising radish health benefits most people are not aware of. 

Radishes have been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a wide range of ailments, including bile disorders, inflammation, sore throats, and fever. Plus, with 19 calories, 0.9 g protein, and 1.9 g fiber per 1 cup of raw, sliced radishes, along with tons of nutritional benefits, it’s a great idea to start incorporating them into your diet.

Here are a few reasons why.

1. Boosts Your Immunity

Anything you can do to boost your immunity can help keep you healthy and strong. Radishes are chock-full of vitamin C, which is known to enhance the immune system’s ability to fight off invaders like the common cold and flu.

2. Battle Free Radicals in the Body

Due to its high amount of vitamin C, radishes also battle free radicals in the body. These are significant radish health benefits since they can help prevent cell damage caused by environmental toxins, aging, and even an unhealthy lifestyle.

3. May Help Prevent Cancer

According to research, eating cruciferous vegetables like radishes can help you prevent cancer. These vegetables contain compounds that break down into isothiocyanates, which are known to purge the body of substances that can cause cancer, as well as prevent the development of tumors. Incredibly, in one study, radish root extract even killed cancer cells in humans.

4. Keeps the Heart Healthy

Because this root vegetable is a significant source of anthocyanins, including it in your diet can help keep your heart healthy and functioning properly, reducing your risk of heart diseases.

5. Controls Your Blood Pressure

There’s potassium in radishes, which means eating them can help reduce your blood pressure and control your blood flow.

6. Improve Digestion

Radishes offer your stomach fiber and roughage, which is great for the digestive system. Fiber, for example, can help move waste through the intestines to prevent constipation.

7. Protects Your Red Blood Cells

Radishes not only do damage control to the red blood cells, but in the process of doing so, they also increase the blood’s oxygen supply, too. With a ton of folate, radishes can also help synthesize both red and white blood cells in the bone marrow.

8. Generates Collagen

Collagen is needed to fortify your blood vessels and decrease your risk of atherosclerosis, so throw some radishes in your next salad for some extra collagen generation! That extra collagen production is great for your skin health, too.

9. Improve Your Metabolism

From acidity and obesity to nausea and gastric problems, radishes are a great natural remedy for common metabolism-related problems. This root vegetable includes vitamin B6, which is necessary for metabolism. 

10. A Natural Antifungal

Radishes contain an antifungal protein that can cause cell death in a common fungus found in humans that often causes oral yeast infections, invasive candidiasis, and vaginal yeast infections. 

The next time you’re meal prepping, consider adding radish slices to your salad, sandwiches, or tacos. Alternatively, use radishes to make coleslaw or top your favorite burger. Your body will thank you!

Prioritize Your Health with These Other Holistic Products

Wedderspoon Raw Premium Manuka Honey KFactor 16, 17.6 Oz

Just like radishes, raw, unpasteurized Manuka honey is packed full of nutrients and delivers many medicinal and therapeutic benefits, including wound healing, improved digestion, and more.

Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, 16 Fl Oz

Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar has many health properties, including antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. It can help with weight loss, reduce blood sugar levels, reduce cholesterol, and more.