10 Amazing Ways Radishes Benefit Your Health (2024)

Home Health & Wellness Nutrition Tips

Updated: Jan. 12, 2024

    You already love the sharp bite a fresh radish adds to salad. But did you know about the radish health benefits that work wonders for your general wellness, too?

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    Help prevent cancer

    What are the health benefits of radishes? Where do we start! Like other cruciferous vegetables, radishes contain compounds that help purge cancer-causing substances and prevent the development of tumors. The crunchy detoxifiers are thought to help protect the body against colon, kidney, intestinal, stomach and oral cancer, in particular.

    Find a fresh, colorful way to eat radishes!

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    Fill you up (at 1 calorie per radish)

    Are radishes good for weight loss? The numbers say yes. Each radish has just one calorie, no fat and virtually no carbs. And that calorie isn’t empty—radishes are a good source of vitamin C.

    This is the best time of year to get fresh radish from your local grocer.

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    Wipe out fungus

    Radishes are a natural antifungal agent. Radish juice contains enzymes that kill a common fungus normally found in humans. This fungus—Candida albicans—can cause yeast infections. Try a Spring Pea and Radish Salad to add some antifungal snap to your diet.

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    Improve the look of your skin

    The vitamin C in radishes, along with zinc and phosphorus can help you fight skin dryness, acne and rashes. The high water content in radishes (and other fruits and vegetables) also helps hydrate the skin. To create a natural cleanser or mask for your face, use smashed raw radishes.

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    Keep you hydrated

    Hydration is good for more than skin, though. Radishes keep your whole body hydrated because of their high-water content. Good hydration can give you more energy, boost your mood and even help inhibit infections in the kidneys.

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    Support a healthy heart

    Radishes are also a good source for anthocyanins. These flavonoids not only give radishes their red color, they also help keep our hearts pumping. Radishes aren’t the only superstars in the produce section, though. Look for all seven superfoods that will keep you feeling healthy.

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    Keep your digestive system moving

    Radishes are packed with roughage and fiber, so they’ll help keep your digestive system moving. (A half-cup serving of radishes contains 1 gram of fiber.)

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    Lower blood pressure

    Radishes are high in potassium, which can help lower your blood pressure. They also support the generation of collagen, which helps keep blood vessels healthy. Radishes are also thought to control damage to red blood cells and help increase oxygen supply to the blood.

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    Detoxify your blood

    Are radishes good for your liver? You bet. Radishes can be very good for the liver and stomach as they act as a powerful detoxifier. Radishes reduce the destruction of red blood cells caused by jaundice by increasing the supply of fresh oxygen to the blood.

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    Boost immunity and energy

    A half cup of radishes daily has almost 15 percent of your daily intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C not only boosts your immune system, it also helps regulate the metabolism and is key to the body’s process of changing fat into usable energy.

    Originally Published: May 20, 2019

    Author

    Cathryn Jakicic

    Cathy Jakicic has written about everything from business and bacteria to beads and baking in her career —but she greatly prefers the last two. She is a baker and a crafter and loves to try new recipes for both.

    10 Amazing Ways Radishes Benefit Your Health (12)

    10 Amazing Ways Radishes Benefit Your Health (2024)

    FAQs

    How many radishes do you need to eat for health benefits? ›

    A half cup of radishes daily has almost 15 percent of your daily intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C not only boosts your immune system, it also helps regulate the metabolism and is key to the body's process of changing fat into usable energy.

    What is the healthiest way to eat radishes? ›

    They're best eaten raw, and can be easily sliced into salads and sandwiches, or enjoyed whole and dipped into houmous for a healthy snack. The young leaves are delicious in salads or cooked in the same way as spinach.

    What organs are radishes good for? ›

    Boosts liver and kidney function: Radish aids in liver detoxification and heals against damage. It also helps flush out toxins from the kidney. Provides antioxidants: Anthocyanin present in radish gives it its red color.

    Do radishes cleanse the liver? ›

    These veggies contain special compounds called indole-3-carbinol and 4-methylthio-3-butenyl-isothiocyanate, which help trigger enzymes thought to help your liver get rid of harmful toxins.

    Is it good to eat radish everyday? ›

    While eating radishes every day is generally safe, it's essential to maintain variety in your diet to ensure you obtain a wide range of nutrients from different food sources. If you enjoy radishes and want to eat them frequently, consider incorporating them into a balanced diet that includes other nutrient-rich foods.

    What not to eat with radishes? ›

    • Dec 6, 2023, 08:52 PM IST. 5 Foods You Must Never Pair With Radish. ...
    • Radish and Milk. ...
    • Radish and Cucumber. ...
    • Radish and Oranges. ...
    • Radish and Bitter Gourd. ...
    • Radish and Tea.
    Dec 6, 2023

    Is radish healthier raw or cooked? ›

    Radishes have a variety of benefits and can be consumed raw, cooked, or pickled. Radishes are low in calories and also have a lot of protein and fibre. Additionally, radishes are also high in Vitamin C, which is necessary for immune system building and serves a variety of other functions.

    Are radishes good for your lungs? ›

    Radish Reduces the Risk of Respiratory Disorders, Bronchitis, and Asthma. Because of its anti-congestive properties, radish is extremely good for our respiratory system, preventing a variety of respiratory issues such as inflammation in the throat, windpipe, nose, and lungs.

    Which radish is healthiest? ›

    Daikon radish is a nutritious, low-calorie cruciferous vegetable that may promote your health in various ways. Eating it may help you maintain a healthy body weight and protect against chronic conditions, such as heart disease and certain cancers.

    Should radishes be peeled before eating? ›

    Radishes do not have to be peeled; just wash and cut off the tops and root ends. You can use them sliced, diced, shredded, or whole.

    Are radishes good for your bowels? ›

    The vegetable has compounds that demonstrate antibacterial activity, including against the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, which is linked to ulcers and stomach cancer. Including radishes in the diet can be very beneficial for constipation sufferers.

    Are radishes good for arteries? ›

    In addition to lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease, Shapiro says that radishes can also lower cholesterol, or LDL (low-density lipoproteins), known as bad cholesterol. Radishes also contain vitamin C, folate, and anthocyanins that help protect against the hardening of veins and arteries.

    Is radish good for the kidneys? ›

    Radishes are crunchy vegetables that make a nutritious addition to a renal diet. They're very low in potassium and phosphorus but contain other important nutrients, such as folate and vitamin A. Their peppery taste makes a flavorful addition to low sodium dishes.

    Why do I crave radishes? ›

    Cravings like yours can be a consequence of an iron or zinc deficiency, and the doctor can check if you are deficient in these nutrients. We have heard from other people who craved carrots, tomatoes, popcorn or orange peels to an unusual extent, just as you do with radishes.

    What should not be eaten with radishes? ›

    1. Dec 6, 2023, 08:52 PM IST. 5 Foods You Must Never Pair With Radish. ...
    2. Radish and Milk. ...
    3. Radish and Cucumber. ...
    4. Radish and Oranges. ...
    5. Radish and Bitter Gourd. ...
    6. Radish and Tea.
    Dec 6, 2023

    Is radish healthier, raw or cooked? ›

    Radishes have a variety of benefits and can be consumed raw, cooked, or pickled. Radishes are low in calories and also have a lot of protein and fibre. Additionally, radishes are also high in Vitamin C, which is necessary for immune system building and serves a variety of other functions.

    What are the healing properties of radishes? ›

    What are the 5 top health benefits of radishes
    • A source of sulforaphane. Like other members of the brassica family, radishes supply a compound that can be converted to sulforaphane. ...
    • Good for heart health. ...
    • A source of antioxidants. ...
    • May have anti-fungal properties. ...
    • May support liver function and digestion.
    Sep 6, 2022

    Do radishes lower your blood pressure? ›

    Normal radishes contain both valuable antioxidants and a compound called Nitric Oxide, which is known to reduce blood pressure and therefore the risk of stroke or heart attack.

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