Nowadays, pharmacies are simply filled with all kinds of phials and boxes with vitamins in the form of complexes. But if you look around, we are surrounded by natural vitamins everywhere in nature. It is enough to visit the garden with your grandmother - this is where a storehouse of truly useful products: carrots, beets, pumpkins, herbs and much more. Our article is devoted to the root crop, which appears the very first after a long winter.
Let's talk about radish. So what kind of vegetable is this? What is the most useful vitamin in radishes? How to choose and store this vitamin complex? We will talk about everything in detail in this article.
A bit of history
Did you know that the radish is also called the "French radish"? So, this vegetable has been grown in Europe since the 14th century. An already more modern radish appeared two centuries later. There are several types of it besides European, for example, distinguish between Japanese and Chinese. But in Russia we are more familiar with the European radish.
In the 19th century, one well-known Russian breeder by the name of Grachev created a large number of original varieties of radishes, some of which were awarded power degrees. Nevertheless, despite the fact that in Russia the radish appeared relatively recently, it deservedly received an honorable place among gardeners and farmers.
Radish: what vitamins are present in it?
Radish is a plant in the cabbage family. It is valued more for the root crop, which is red or white in color. Want to know if there are vitamins in the radish? There are simply a huge number of them, you can’t even imagine how this root crop is rich in useful substances. So which vitamin is present in the radish to a greater extent? Let's figure it out.
Radish contains protein, fiber, oils, pectin and more. Also contained in the radish are B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vanadium, boron, copper, iodine and other useful components.
There is a lot of vitamin C in the root crop, and he, as we know, is involved in many vital processes in the human body. There is also a lot of vitamin B2 in the radish (it is also called riboflavin), which is important not only for health, but also for beauty. If you have peeling on the lips, wings of the nose and on the mucous membrane, then, most likely, it is the lack of this vitamin that provokes such manifestations. Do not rush to the pharmacy, it is better to prepare a salad. Riboflavin in the radish is enough to make up for the lack of a useful element.
Radish: health benefits and harms
The radish has so many useful properties that they can be talked about for a very long time, and all thanks to the useful vitaminized composition of this root crop. Let’s try to briefly tell you why radish is useful for a person:
- First of all, we mention vitamin C, which is present in radish. It increases the protective properties of the body, thereby strengthening the immune system. Also in the composition, the so-called natural antibiotics - volatile, can destroy pathogenic bacteria.
- In addition, the radish contains dietary fiber, which beneficially affects the gastrointestinal tract, that is, contribute to its stimulation. Once in the stomach, these fibers are not digested, but only swell. Then they exit the body, while simultaneously cleansing the intestinal wall of toxins.
- Since radish is a low-calorie product, it is very much appreciated by nutritionists. Fresh vegetable salads are usually prepared from radishes, which can be eaten for dinner. It is only necessary to observe one condition: for use, use only fresh root crops, since those that have been stored for a while accumulate starch in themselves, therefore, their caloric content increases.
- Tryptophan is located in the root crop of radish. This amino acid has sleeping pills. Therefore, those who eat radish tend to sleep peacefully, insomnia does not bother them.
- Also, radish can stabilize blood sugar. And all thanks to leucine, with the help of which alanine and glutamine are formed. So they just normalize the level of sugar in the blood, which is considered an excellent prevention of diabetes.
- If you want to lower the level of bad cholesterol in the blood, then you definitely need to include radish in your diet. The fact is that those essential amino acids that are contained in the root crop stimulate the formation of bile acids in the liver, which dissolve cholesterol and remove it from the body.
If you are still in doubt whether the radish is useful, then it is very in vain! This vegetable is very healthy, and should be a must-have component of vegetable salad.
At first glance, it seems that radish is important and useful to everyone, but it is not. There are some contraindications. Some radishes can do more harm than good. For example, people who suffer from intestinal diseases, such as gastritis, ulcers, colitis, radishes are contraindicated. And if a person suffered a heart attack, then it is better for him to refuse a radish.
Benefits for pregnant women
Everyone knows that during pregnancy, every woman needs fortified and healthy food, so juicy radish is very useful for pregnant women. Especially useful is the same female vitamin, which is also present in the radish. This is folic acid. It is she who prevents the development of various fetal malformations.
Also in the radish there are other important vitamins for the pregnant woman. During the period of bearing a child, a woman is often tormented by constipation, but since radish can improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, when a root crop is used, a woman can avoid such an unpleasant moment.
How to choose the right radish?
In order for the radish to bring more benefits, it must either be grown independently, or carefully checked before purchase. We will give you some tips on how to choose a good and fresh root crop:
- Firstly, the surface of the radish should be smooth and even, that is, without a single crack.
- There should not be any black spots on the surface. They, as a rule, speak of the beginning of decay.
- If the tops of the radishes are cut, then it will be more difficult for you to judge the freshness of the vegetable, so try to choose a root crop with tops so that you can draw conclusions yourself.
- And the last, if the radish is soft to the touch, then most likely, it lay somewhere for a long time, or overspended.
How to store radish correctly?
Keep fresh radish in the refrigerator most correctly. Moreover, if you cut the tops, the shelf life will be about two weeks, but no more. If the tops are not cut, then it must be periodically moistened, so the radish will retain its useful properties for a longer period.
Interesting Radish Facts
Interestingly, radish is not inferior to lemons and oranges in terms of vitamin C content. And the potassium content of radish is not inferior to a head of cabbage.
In Mexico there is such a holiday that is celebrated before the New Year, it is called "Radish Night." On this day, everyone wants to put their creation to the court of the people in the form of figures and compositions cut from radish.
Radish is one of the plants that was chosen for cultivation on a space station, since it does not require special conditions.
Finally
Now you know everything about this root crop: how it is useful, what vitamins are present in radishes in greater quantities, how to store it and how to choose it. Be sure to add this vegetable to your daily diet and you will notice how your health has improved. The health benefits and harms of radishes are proven by multiple facts. therefore not believing them is stupid.