Radish is an excellent source of vitamin C, accounting for 25% of the daily recommended amount, which helps to rebuild tissues and blood vessels and keep bones and teeth strong. Vitamin C can fight diseases and save cells from damaging free radicals. This is achieved through the electrolyte and natural antioxidant effect of this vitamin, which can enhance human immunity and help fight various diseases (including cancer, heart disease and stroke).
Folic acid, fiber, riboflavin and potassium, as well as a lot of copper, vitamin B6, magnesium, manganese and calcium are less important nutrients to support the healthy characteristics of radish.
Perhaps it is not surprising that radish contains fiber, that is, indigestible carbohydrates. This will keep your system running normally and help maintain a healthy weight. Ironically, these naturally heated vegetables can help eliminate the burning sensation when urinating. That may be because radish is a natural diuretic, which can purify the kidney and urinary system and reduce inflammation.
Radish can also regulate blood pressure, relieve congestion and prevent respiratory diseases, such as asthma or bronchitis. They have antibacterial, antifungal and detoxifying properties, and contain compounds that relieve rashes, dryness and other skin diseases.
Eating radish can help remove bilirubin, which usually appears on the skin, mucosa or eyes of newborns. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin accumulates in bile faster than the liver decomposes and passes through the body. At the same time, the beneficial characteristics of radish can also inhibit the damage of red blood cells by providing fresh oxygen for blood.
Another phytochemical advantage of radish includes an antidote called indole, and powerful flavonoids such as zeaxanthin, lutein and β-carotene. Radish also contains an important isothiocyanate antioxidant called sulforaphane, which is recognized as an inhibitor of prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and other cancers.
Radish research
According to a research report, compared with other cruciferous plants, Spanish black radish contains four times more glucosinolates, which is considered to enhance detoxification. Clinical trials show that they have stronger detoxification enzyme ability, faster metabolism and rapid reduction of bone marrow toxicity caused by DMBA. Scientists conclude that this discovery supports the hypothesis that glucosinolates in Spanish black radish can prevent acute toxicity.
Scientists have evaluated the chemopreventive efficacy of radish (including roots, stems, leaves and extracts) and studied the molecular mechanism leading to the growth, stagnation and cell death of human cancer cells. Roots showed significant cell growth inhibition and induced cell death, which proved that radish had potential chemopreventive effect and was the premise of inducing cell apoptosis in some cancer cell lines.