23 Amazing Benefits of Black Radish
Black radish or the Black Spanish Radish or Erfurter Radish is a root vegetable that belongs to the Brassicaceae family and is a variety of radishes. This edible root has black skin but white flesh and is available in both round and elongated varieties. Being an excellent source of various nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, dietary fibers, etc, black radish provides several benefits to us.
Health Benefits of Black Radish
Some of the major health benefits of black radishes are as follows:-
(1) Keeps Our Immune System Stronger
Black radish strengthens our immune system, the defense mechanism of the body that helps in the prevention and treatment of various microbial diseases, infections, and injuries.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols etc in the black radish protect the immune cells aka white blood cells from free radical damage and thus strengthen our immunity.
Vitamin C also enhances the production of white blood cells in the body.
With stronger immunity, we are less likely to be suffering from cough, cold, fever, flu, etc.
For this reason, it is important to take good care of our immune system and black radish can help in doing the same.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, etc also contribute to better immune health.
Black radish also aids in treating chronic cough and cold.
For this take a slice from the upper part of the black radish and put some sugar in the flesh part of the black radish. Now put back the upper part at its initial position and leave it overnight. The juice that will come out of this flesh can be used for the treatment of infections of the respiratory system.
(2) Cures Cold
The anti-inflammatory properties of the black radish reduce inflammation of the throat and nasal passage and ease the mucosal passage through the nose and throat. It is also beneficial against asthma and bronchitis.
Antioxidants in black radish strengthen immunity, protect us from microbial infections, and thus reduces the risk of cough, cold, fever, flu, etc.
(3) Maintains Liver Health
Black radish aids in maintaining the health of the liver, a vital organ that performs many important functions in our body such as the production of bile juice, production of certain proteins for blood plasma, production of cholesterol, conversion of excess glucose to glycogen, removal of drugs and unwanted substances, regulating blood clotting, etc.
Vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds such as phytonutrients and polyphenols in the black radish protect the liver from free radical damage.
The detoxifying properties of the dietary fibers in black radish eliminate toxins, impurities, and other unwanted substances from our bodies. Helping with detoxification, reduces the detoxification burden from vital organs like the liver and kidneys to some extent, and allows them to focus on other functions they need to perform.
Calcium and magnesium in the black radish facilitate the production and flow of bile juice and thus contribute to better liver health.
Other nutrients such as vitamin B complex, zinc, iron, etc also play a major role in keeping our liver healthy.
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(4) Helps With The Detoxification
Detoxification is the process of removal of toxins, impurities, and other unwanted substances from our bodies. In our body liver and kidneys are primarily responsible for detoxification, and it also happens at the cellular level.
Dietary fibers in the black radish help in the efficient elimination of toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from the body. Doing so reduces the burden of detoxification from the liver and kidneys to some extent and allows these vital organs to focus on other functions they need to perform.
(5) Provides Relief From Hypertension
Potassium, a vital mineral present in the black radish is a natural vasodilator that relaxes our blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and thus provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure.
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a silent killer that affects millions of people around the world and is a leading cause of various health problems such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, heart failure, shortness of breath, osteoporosis, vision difficulties, and blurriness and blindness, increased risk of dementia and sleep apnea, etc.
Other nutrients such as calcium and magnesium also help in regulating blood pressure.
(6) Manages Cholesterol Level
Black radish helps in managing cholesterol levels as it contains dietary fibers that reduce the level of bad LDL cholesterol in our bodies.
This reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, a condition that leads to the hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits in the inner lining of the arterial walls and is a leading cause of various cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, irregular heartbeat, and heart failure, etc.
Black radish improves liver health. The liver absorbs excess cholesterol and prevents them from getting deposited in the adipose tissues and walls of the arteries.
(7) Improves Cardiovascular Health
Black radish improves our cardiovascular health due to the abundance of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, dietary fibers, etc.
Vitamin C and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols in the black radish protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Potassium regulates high blood pressure and minimizes the risk of several cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.
Dietary fibers reduce LDL cholesterol and thus minimize the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular problems associated with it.
Iron, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin B complex, etc in the black radish also contribute to improved cardiovascular health.
(8) Regulates Blood Sugar Level
The glycemic index is a scale from 0 to 100 that determines the rate at which a particular food item releases sugar into the bloodstream.
With a low glycemic index of 32, black radish slows down the rate at which sugar is released into the bloodstream, doesn’t cause a sudden spike in the blood sugar level, and thus helps in managing diabetes.
Dietary fibers in it reduce the rate at which sugar is absorbed by the bloodstream and thus regulate blood sugar levels.
Even with these benefits, consuming black radish in moderation as otherwise, could reduce the blood sugar to an abnormally low level giving rise to hypoglycemia with symptoms such as excessive sweating, excessive hunger, fatigue, shakiness, nausea, vomiting, etc.
If you are already on diabetic medication then consult your doctor before adding black radish to your diet to ensure that there is no food-drug intolerance.
(9) Cures Hyperthyroidism (Graves’ Disease)
Raphanin, a sulfur compound present in the black radish regulates the secretion of thyroid hormone and aids in the prevention and cure of hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease).
Hyperthyroidism is a condition caused by the over-secretion of the thyroid hormone and gives rise to health problems like fast heartbeat, increased appetite, sudden weight loss, pain and discomfort, sensitivity to heat, etc.
(10) Keep Our Kidneys Healthy
The abundance of essential nutrients and other healthy compounds in the black radish improves our renal health and keeps our kidneys healthy.
Vitamin C and other relevant compounds in the black radish protect the kidneys from free radical damage and improve their functionality.
Dietary fibers eliminate toxins and other unwanted substances, and thus reduce the burden of detoxification from the kidneys to some extent, allowing them to focus on other functions they need to perform. Some of these are – electrolyte balance, releasing hormones to regulate blood pressure, regulating the production of red blood cells, etc.
The diuretic properties of the black radish improve the frequency and flow of urine and further aid with the removal of unwanted waste from the body. It aids in the removal of stones and stone dust from the kidneys and gallbladder.
(11) Keeps Our Digestive System Healthy
Black radish improves our digestive health because of its rich nutritious profile.
Vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols in the black radish protect the digestive system from free radical damage and minimize the risk of several cancers like abdominal cancer pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, etc.
The laxative properties of the dietary fibers in black radish improve bowel movement and relieve constipation and other gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, indigestion, gas, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence, etc.
Dietary fibers also regulate the pH levels in the stomach and improve digestion. It aids in the removal of toxins and other unwanted substances and further improves digestive health.
Black radish is good for the liver that produces bile juice to facilitate food digestion.
(12) Cures Scurvy
The vitamin C in the black radish makes it suitable for the prevention and treatment of scurvy.
Scurvy is a disease caused by the deficiency of vitamin C in our body and is characterized by the symptoms such as muscular pain, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, bleeding gums and swollen gums, etc.
Vitamin C in the black radish prevents scurvy, a disease caused by the deficiency of vitamin C in the body.
It is characterized by symptoms like muscular pain, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, bleeding gums, swollen gums, etc.
(13) Keeps Our Neurological System Healthy
Black radish is good for the brain and improves our neurological health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other relevant compounds such as phytonutrients and polyphenols in the black radish protect our brain cells aka neurons from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of several neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.
It improves the functionality of our brain and provides cognitive benefits like a sharper memory, improved focus, better concentration, improved mental clarity, and so on.
Potassium and magnesium in the black radish help maintain chemical balance in the brain and provides benefits like increased mental alertness and improved mental concentration.
Iron in black radish increases blood circulation in the brain as it increases the production of red blood cells in our body.
(14) Keep Inflammation At Bay
Vitamin C, an anti-inflammatory compound present in the black radish provides relief from pain and inflammation caused by inflammatory problems like arthritis, rheumatism, gouts, osteoarthritis, asthma, and bronchial asthma.
(15) Protection Against Various Cancers
The antioxidantal properties of the black radish protect against several types of cancers.
Vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols in black radish protect our cells and tissues from free radical damage and thus minimizes the risk of several cancers like stomach cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, abdominal cancer, intestinal cancer, oral cancer, etc.
Dietary fibers in black radish help with detoxification improve the health of vital organs like the liver and kidneys and thus helps in keeping various cancers at bay.
Iron and folic acid in the black radish also contribute to anti-cancer benefits.
(16) Good For Eyes
Black radish is good for our eyes, the sensory organ that allows us to enjoy the beauty of this world.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other relevant compounds in black radish protects the eyes from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, etc.
Vitamin A is an essential mineral for our eyes as it improves vision and prevents dryness of the eyes. The deficiency of vitamin A may increase the risk of night blindness.
The anti-inflammatory properties of the black radish also contribute to better ocular health.
Beauty Benefits Of Black Radish For Skin
Some of the major beauty benefits of black radish for skin are as follows
(1) Keep Various Signs Of Premature Aging At Bay
Vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols in black radish protect our cells and tissues from free radical damage, and thus minimizes various signs of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dark spots, skin blemishes, etc.
(2) Prevents Acne
Black radish is beneficial for protecting against acne, a common skin problem that affects millions of people around the world and is mainly caused by the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, and other impurities in our skin pores.
The detoxifying properties of black radish eliminate toxins, pollutants, and other unwanted substances from our bodies.
When there are fewer toxins in our body, they don’t accumulate in our skin pores and thus minimize the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.
Dietary fibers also regulate the secretion of excess oil from the skin glands and thus prevent the acne from worsening.
(3) Maintains Overall Skin Health
The rich nutritious profile of black radish helps in maintaining our overall skin health.
Antioxidantal compounds in the black radish protect the skin from free radical damage and keep premature aging at bay.
Dietary fibers protect the skin from the ill effects of toxins, pollutants, and other harmful substances.
Other nutrients like zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B complex, etc in the black radish also contribute to better skin health.
It improves our skin health and makes it soft, supple, and radiant.
Beauty Benefits Of Black Radish For Hair
Some of the beauty benefits of black radish for hair are as follows
(1) Prevents Premature Greying Of Hair
Vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds in the black radish also protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage and minimizes signs of premature greying of hair, hair loss, dullness of hair, split ends, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, phosphorus, and vitamin B complex also contribute to better scalp health.
(2) Promotes Hair Growth
The rich nutritious profile of the black radish facilitates the growth of new hair follicles.
Antioxidants and relevant compounds in black radish protect our hair follicles and scalp from oxidative damage.
Nutrients in the black radish provide nourishment to our hair follicles and scalp. This improves scalp health and promotes the growth of new hair follicles.
It also strengthens the existing hairs and makes them strong and lustrous.
(3) Improve Scalp Health
Black radish improves our scalp health due to the abundance of essential nutrients in them.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other relevant compounds in the black radish protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage.
Dietary fibers help with detoxification and prevent our scalp from getting accumulating toxins and other impurities.
Black radish improves our scalp health and thus minimizes the risk of dandruff, a common scalp problem that affects millions of people around the world and is a sign of poor scalp health.
Dietary fibers reduce the risk of scalp acne and also control the secretion of excess oil from the glands, thus preventing the scalp acne from worsening.
Iron, zinc, vitamin B complex, etc in the black radish also contributes to better scalp health.
(4) Make Hair Strong And Lustrous
Antioxidants and other relevant compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols in the black radish protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage.
This strengthens our hair follicles and scalp.
Vitamin B complex, iron, zinc, etc also contribute to better scalp health as they provide nourishment to hair follicles and the scalp.
This improves our hair follicles and makes them strong and shiny.
