Health Benefits of Radish: The Power Source of Potassium

There are various kinds of radishes with some growing in spring and summer, and some in winter. Daikon, the white variety most commonly found in India, is a spring-summer vegetable. The other varieties available in the country are the pink, and sometimes even the black. Now even though not everyone likes radish, it comes with a host of health benefits.

Benefits of this root vegetable:

1. Saves RBCs

 Radish is known to control damage to red blood cells, and in the process also increases oxygen supply to the blood.

2. High on Fiber

If eat it as part of daily salad intake, without going overboard of course, radish provides system with ample roughage and fibers, therefore improving digestion. It also regulates bile production, safeguards liver and the gall bladder, and is great for taking care of water retention.

3. Guards the Heart

Radishes are a good source for anthocyanins that keep hearts functioning properly, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Plus they are high on vitamin C, folic acid, and flavonoids too.

4. Controls Blood Pressure

Radish also provides body with potassium, which can help lower your blood pressure, and keep your blood flow in control.

5. Improves Immunity

Given that the radish has high vitamin C, it can protect from common cold and cough, and improve basic immunity system.

6. Fortifies Blood Vessels

Now this is important - radish plays an important role in the generation of collagen, which in turn boosts blood vessels and decreases chances of getting atherosclerosis.

7. Metabolism-Friendly

This root vegetable is not only good for your digestive system, but it also helps to fix acidity, , gastric problems, and nausea, among others.

8. High on Nutrients

Red radishes are packed with Vitamins E, A, C, B6, and K. Plus it's high on antioxidants, fiber, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, calcium, iron and manganese. And each of these is known to keep body in good working condition.

9. Good for the Skin

If drink radish juice every day, giving your skin special boosters to stay healthy, and that's mostly because of the Vitamin C, zinc, and phosphorus. Plus it also keeps dryness, acne, pimples, and rashes at bay. Plus can use radish paste to cleanse your face. And if you apply it on your hair, it helps to remove dandruff, prevent hair loss, and strengthens the root too.

Application

Apart from slicing it really thin, almost like Carpaccio if you can, and serving it with salad, there are plenty of other ways to maximise this vegetable. From making chutneys (such as the famous mullangi pachadi, a famous Andhra chutney) and curries or a poriyal, to using it to stuff parathas, or even adding it to raita - the options are aplenty.