Is eating radish in cold winter really good for people? What should know when eating radish for health in winter?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) information, 100 grams of radish contains 16 kilocalories, 3.4 grams of carbohydrates, 1.6 grams of fiber, 0.68 grams of protein, as well as the body’s need for vitamins C, A, K, as well as calcium and phosphorus, and other nutrients, so the radish has a nutritional calories are low, can produce a sense of satiety, and help to control weight. In addition, it has many health benefits.
3 remarkable benefits of radish
1. Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial
First of all, radish has anti-inflammatory properties. Many chronic diseases are related to chronic inflammation. Radish belongs to the cruciferous plant family, and studies have found that cruciferous extracts and their purified components have anti-inflammatory properties.
Chinese medicine believes that radish is cold in nature and can clear heat and detoxify toxins, which actually means the same thing as anti-inflammatory in Western medicine, so Chinese medicine and Western medicine are on the same page on this point.
2. Anti-cancer and anti-oxidation
Radish also has anti-cancer effects. It is found that isothiocyanate in radish can inhibit tumor proliferation and transient metastasis by regulating different proteins and signal coupling, which can prevent the occurrence of many kinds of tumors.
In addition, the large amount of vitamin C contained in radish can help prevent and control the spread of cancer cells. Flavonoids, especially anthocyanins, which are rich in radish, are also antioxidants with anti-cancer effects. Research shows that anthocyanins can reverse the resistance of cancer cells and have anti-tumor activity.
3. Blood sugar control
Radishes can also help control blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that radish has antidiabetic effects as it enhances antioxidant defense mechanisms, reduces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, improves hormone-induced glucose homeostasis, promotes glucose uptake and energy metabolism, and reduces glucose absorption in the intestines.
Another research review indicated that the bioactive compounds present in different parts of radish (e.g., leaves, buds, stems, and roots) can act on a wide range of potential drug targets associated with diseases such as cancer, inflammation, liver damage, and diabetes.
In addition, radishes are rich in Vitamin A, an important antioxidant that is good for our eyesight, and Vitamin K in radishes is important in bone health and blood clotting. Radish is also rich in fiber, which aids in digestion.
Why should I eat radish in winter?
In fact, “eating radish in winter” is for a certain situation. Due to the cold winter, people will keep the heat in the body in order to keep warm, and also eat a lot of hot food, such as stewed mutton, stewed beef, etc., which will make the body internal overheating, then if the radish and the hot food cooked together, it will be able to play a more balanced role in the food.
In addition, many nutrients in radish can help us improve our immunity and resistance to infection in winter. In addition, as the saying goes, “don’t eat when it’s not time”, which means don’t eat vegetables and fruits that are not in season. According to Chinese medicine, human health is closely related to the environment, and seasonal vegetables and fruits are very suitable for the body’s needs in this season in terms of nutrition and energy, so it is better for people to eat seasonal mature radish in winter.
Avoid 2 taboos when eating radish
Although radish has many benefits, there are still some things to pay attention to when eating radish.
First, eating raw radish will stimulate the digestive tract. If you have gastric ulcer, gastritis and other diseases, you should be careful, it is best not to eat raw radish.
Second, if there are patients who are taking anticoagulants, it is also not advisable to eat more radish, because the vitamin K in radish has the effect of blood clotting.
In short, from the perspective of Western medicine, radish has anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, liver protection and other effects. From the Chinese medicine point of view, radish has the effect of clearing heat and removing toxins, resolving phlegm and relieving cough, generating fluids and moisturizing the lungs, as well as improving digestion. So both from an energy and nutritional standpoint, eating radishes is very beneficial. This winter, why not add a little more radish to your nutritious recipes as well?
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)