Radish is a popular ingredient of raw salads in all over Asia. “Mooli “is the Hindi name of radish and somewhere matches up to its pungent taste. Mooli may not be a favorite salad veggie of many, but the health benefits of radish will definitely attract a lot more fans in the club. Like cabbage, Radish too has a unique liking among the Chinese for the substantial health benefits it provides.
This root vegetable comes in a lot of variety and forms in terms of season of cultivation, size and shapes, as well as colors. Radish could be black, white or purple in color. And round or elongated with varying thickness. But this does not affect the health benefits of radish. All the varieties of radish are equally beneficial and healthy.
One good part about radish plant is that all its parts are useful. You can use its seeds, leaves as well as its roots.
# Nutrition in Radish ( Mooli )
Before you read the health benefits of radish, it is important to know the nutrient content of radish. This will help in knowing the scientific reasons behind the various health benefits of radish.
Radish (Raphanus sativus), Fresh, raw, Nutrition Value per 100 g, (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
| Principle | Nutrient value | Percentage of RDA |
| Energy | 16kcal | 1 % |
| Carbs | 3.40 g | 3 % |
| Protein | 0.68 g | 1 % |
| Total Fat | 0.10 g | < 1 % |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 % |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g | 4 % |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 25 µg | 6 % |
| Niacin | 0.254 mg | 1.5 % |
| Pyridoxine | 0.071 mg | 5.5 % |
| Riboflavin | 0.039 mg | 3 % |
| Vitamin A | 7 iu | < 1 % |
| Vitamin C | 14.8 mg | 25 % |
| Vitamin E | 0 mg | 9 % |
| Vitamin K | 1.3 µg | 1 % |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 39 mg | 2.5 % |
| Pottasium | 233 mg | 5 % |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 25 mg | 2.5 % |
| Copper | 0.050 mg | 5 % |
| Iron | 0.34 mg | 4 % |
| Magnesium | 10 mg | 2.5 % |
| Manganese | 0.069 mg | 2.5 % |
| Zinc | 0.28 mg | 2 % |
| Phyto- nutrients | ||
| Carotene -ß | 4 µg | — |
| Carotene -a | 0 µg | — |
| Lutein – Zeaxanthin | 10 µg | — |
Radish has innumerable benefits on overall health, skin health and hair as well. Let us now see the top medical health benefits of Radish.
Health benefits of Radish:-
1] Helps against Cancer –
Some researchers at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in India conducted a study and found out that Radish has an ability to kill cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. This study was later published in “Plant Foods For Human Nutrition “medical journal in the year 2010. It stated that the “Vitamin C, Isothiocyanates and Anthocyanins” found in radish roots kill cancer cells and helps in prevent the free radical damage to the cell DNA. Thus Radish is not only helpful for those suffering from cancer, but it also helps in prevention of cancer.
# how to use radish for cancer – To utilize this health benefit of radish you can eat radish or radish leaves. Both of these are beneficial. Radish can be incorporated in diet as raw salad, or can be cooked into vegetable form and used. Same with radish leaves.
2] Helps in Diabetes –
Radish belongs to the root vegetable family. i know it is hard to believe that helping against diabetes can be one of the health benefits of radish. Unlike other root vegetables, Radishes are low in carb and high on antioxidants and fiber. A study was conducted in Japan on diabetic rats. The researchers found out that radish sprouts had sugar lowering effects on the diabetic rats. However more evidence is needed to be able to recommend it for sugar level corrections in human. Another reason to consider radish in a diabetic diet is that, radish has low glycemic index and its intake does not increase sugar levels in the blood. Hence it can be considered by any diabetic or non diabetic person for inclusions in salad.
3] Improves Kidney Health –
This is one of the key health benefits of radish. Radishes are diuretic in nature and thus help in better elimination of toxins and wastes from kidney through urine. Radish increases the urine output and hence can be beneficial for patients suffering from kidney disorders or failures. The kidneys of a person suffering from chronic renal disorders are unable to filter toxins. These toxins accumulate in the kidney cells causing infiltration and several other severe symptoms. The blood gets toxicated with unwanted waste and dialysis becomes necessary. Radish helps in such cases by increasing the urinary output and eliminating the unwanted wastes from blood and urine.
Radish also reduces inflammation and burning micturition (burning sensation while passing urine) in those suffering from urinary tract infections. Radish also helps in cases of renal stones and urethral stones by increasing the urinary output and thus helping in pushing these stones outside the body while passage of urine.
# How to use radish – you can grate radish and strain its juice through a muslin cloth or by simply pressing it with both hands. You can also add a little water and grind it in a mixer and strain the juice and use.
4] Regulating Blood pressure –
The journal of “Nutrition Research and Practice “published a study related to radish leaves and blood pressure. It stated that radish leaves substantial helped the hypertensive participants in lowering their blood pressure. The High potassium and low sodium levels of radish helps in maintain the sodium potassium balance in a hypertensive patient. Thus it controls the blood pressure from rising higher than normal levels. Radish may also help in cardiac conditions like arrhythmia.
# How to use Radish in Blood pressure– To utilize this health benefit of radish, You can wash and chop the radish leaves, and then soft cook it in a pan and eat like a vegetable prep. You can also use radish and radish leaves in chopped form in a raw salad. You can use a little rock salt if the radish is too peppery.
5] Helps in Jaundice –
Radish leaves are used as perfect home remedy for jaundice. Radish leaves extract helps in supply more oxygen to the body and thus helps in removing the yellow hue from the skin of a jaundice patient. Radish is a good detoxifier and helps in elimination of excess bilirubin from the blood. The enzymes and nutrients in radish have an ability to protect gallbladder and liver from various infections and helps in recovering the cell function in case if these organs are already affected.
# How to use Radish in Jaundice – You can extract juice from radish leaves by grinding it in a mixer and adding a little water to it. Or you can also soft cook these leaves and use as a vegetable with chapatti.
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6] Fights Constipation – Mooli or radish has high water and fiber content. Radish plays a dual role in treating constipation. It fibre not only helps in creating bulk and eliminating the waste by pushing it towards anus , but its high water content helps in easy movement and digestive juice secretion too. This adds up to health benefits of radish and makes it a super food for consumption for people of all age group.
How to use radish in constipation – you can have radish as raw vegetable or add it up to your dals too. Here is the recipe of dal mooli / Radish dal
7] Helps in chest congestion, cough and cold: –
The antioxidants of radish help in improving overall immunity in a person. This helps in keeping you away from general infections like common cold. The Astringent taste of radish helps in clearing chest congestion by clearing the mucus. Radish also helps in cold by reducing the length or period of this infection and helps to heal faster.
# How to use radish in colds – radish can be used in any form, raw or cooked.
8] Radish helps in weight loss:-
You may be wondering how radish can benefit in losing weight. But it is true. Radish are very low in calories as well provide with a lot of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Radish can be included as a part of your salad or mid time snacking option. While a person is on a weight loss spree, a lot of toxins are produced in the body when fat cells are burned. The high water content in radish helps in increasing urination. This will also help in better weight loss and removal of these accumulated toxins in the body.
How to use radish for weight loss – You can incorporate radish in your salads or as juice.
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Here are a few articles on weight loss that can really help –
How to lose weight effectively
1200 calorie Indian diet plan for weight loss
9] Radish is helpful in Asthma: –
This is one of the most useful health benefit of radish. Radish has anti congestive properties and helps in clearing the respiratory tracts from mucus. It also helps in clearing sinus. It helps in keeping the respiratory tracts clear of allergies and infections by protecting the inner lining of this organ.
10] Radish helps in piles:-
Radish has a good water and fiber content. This helps in formation of soft stools. This is especially helpful in piles, gastric issues and constipation. However in case of acute bleeding piles, it is best to avoid radish.
11] Radish improves skin health –
This is one of the lesser known health benefit of radish . Radish helps in improving skin health through various ways. The high water content of radish helps in hydrating the skin cells and leaves it looking fresh and healthy. The anti – oxidants in radish helps in removing free radicals and toxins from the skin and thus helps in removing scars and blemishes from the deepest layer of skin. Radish has a mild bleaching effect on skin. You can apply grated or crushed radish on facial skin. It can also be used for pedicure or manicure. Increasing your radish intake will help in getting a clean, clear and fresher looking skin.
Here are a few good reads on skin care
Benefits of Multani mitti on skin
How to take care of sensitive skin
Face packs from your kitchen shelf
12] Radish helps in slowing the skin aging:-
Radish provides skin and cells with a lot of water and leaves the cells hydrated. It is a proven fact that dry skin ages faster in comparison to healthy and hydrated skin.
How to use radish for anti aging – Eating raw radish helps. Grating or crushing raw radish and then applying it on face will help. You can also use radish juice for washing your face.
After reading the above mentioned health benefits of Radish, i am sure a lot of you would have started considering radish for your next meal.
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Hi mam this is Naveenn Naidu I am 36 weight is 64 last 7 years same weight I want to gain my weight at least 10 kgs so you please suggest me with out side effect medicine and diet. Thank you
Sure ,
please see this article for help – https://www.dietburrp.com/?s=weight+gain+
HI ,
can I have you mail ID / Number for a personal plan
hi , you can write to us at care@dietburrp.com
I am lavi i had one radish without anything so now lost my taste sensitive . can u help me for recover my taste sensitive ??
chew on some fennel seeds . or eat a candy 🙂
I have heared that all the vagitables which are grown under the soil or underground, are rich in sugar and diabetic petient should avoid them to eat. Is radish safe to eat by diabetic petient?
Hi Kasey ,
yes , what you have heard is true. Unlike other root vegetables, Radishes are low in carb and high on antioxidants and fiber. Another reason to consider radish in a diabetic diet is that, radish has low glycemic index and its intake does not increase sugar levels in the blood. Hence it can be considered by any diabetic or non diabetic person for inclusions in salad.
Hello, Ma’ám,
I am 57years of age and have uric acid hovering around 6.8-7.2.Will eating one Radish everyday help me in any way?
Hi Rakesh ,
yes it will definitely help . mean while , please make sure you avoid non – veg food for some time . and if you are a vegetarian , you need to avoid besan , rajama and legumes , and curd for some time too . avoid tomato and palak as well. drink a lot of water and eat radish to help in uric acid issue.
Hi ma’am My hemoglobin level is 17.5. .what should I ignore to eat to make it lower. .or what should I do to make it normal…
Kindly help. .
Hi Ravi ,
have you cross checked your hb levels with a different lab ? what has the doctor said ? there may be some cause of this elevation right , based on the cause we would know if the increase is normal or not , and what should be the next steps . normally you dont need to worry about it , unless it is constantly on a rise.
Hi this is anum ,mam i wana ask about my irregular periods. Wht vegetable should i eat to maintain my periods plz can u help me ?
what is your weight ? maintaining weight near normal by following proper exercises and diet will help you better than just eating some particular veggies.
What about the white one is it same?
yes .
Hello dear, of recent i just got a huge belly, any way to cut the fat?
https://www.dietburrp.com/tips-to-lose-belly-fat/ check this
Dear Ma’m,
Recently I have been experiencing a rise in my urea and creatinine levels. Both are almost nearing the maximum normal levels. I am male, 45, have hypertension and on medication, have thyorid problem but on medication for that as well, blood sugar level was 168(fasting) one and a half months back, but have managed to bring it down to 86 this month as I write to you., simply by modifying my diet. I am overweight but taking care of it, though I hardly get a chance to exercise regularly. What should I eat and what should I leave out of my diet bring the urea and creatinine levels down? Is it high time to see a nephrologist yet, or do I have a chance to take a dig at my diet, and the visit one if that does not work?
Hi Arindam ,
ypou can actually first ceck with a nephrologist . if the urea and creat have constantly been on an up , it is alarming. and early detection is the key to better treatment. Although you can manage the levels by changing your diet , but when it comes to matter like kidney , a check up is definelty the call. do let me know after the check up and i shall provide you with a e=to eat and a not to eat list .
Do radishes work for people with liver diseases
yes it does
can people with hepatitis eat radshes
yes . it is helpful in hepatitis .
Very nice information indeed.
🙂
Do radish has any side effect?
Not really .. but excess of it may cause gas and indigestion
good
This artcle is ver y helpful . But can juice of radish can be used for lever problems .
yes you can use it
Can I eat radish with salt for clear my face from blemishes
yes you can use it , you can also use its juice and apply on face
very nice
It’s very beneficial information. Very kind of you. Thanks again
Ma’am i m suffering from acute anal fissure does eating radish will help me??
if it is acute , radish will not give any instant help but will help ypu in the long run
I have high serum creatinine it’s 1.30 and high triglycerides its506 can raddish consum help to decrease them
radhish can help you in clearing creatinine , but for tgs , see this – https://www.dietburrp.com/how-to-reduce-triglycerides-level-in-blood/
Hello Mam. Please send ur email address. I want to discuss my problems privately.
care@dieburrp.com
Hello mam,
I recently suffered from pancreatitis because I was taking lot of alcohol. and I am confused right now about my diet chart, kindly tell me what kind of food I have to take? And what kind of food I must avoid. Pls suggest me about my diet chart.
Thanking you.
are your sugar levels normal now ? what is your age , height and weight >
Hello madam,
My uric acid level is 7.6 and bilirubin 2.2. Have fatty liver. Can radish or radish leaves cure this? How much to take?
Pls advise.
My mail I’d – online.suman@gmail.com
Thanks & Regards
Suman Sarkar
Hi Suman ,
yes it is a very known home remeddy , and does help in many cases . you can try it out too.
can Chew 2-3 Amblic/Aanval, per day followed by milk … In off season you can take half tea spoon aamalki rasayan or Amalak churna with milk, you can change dosage observing your body resistance and reaction… how do you feel and decide.
Can radish help for penis erectile problem?
Hi Paul,
Yes radish is high in nitrates . Nitrates in food have similar function as in a viagra tablet. hence radish is helpful in erectile dysfunction . You can also include carrots , turnips , Lettuce and most importantly beet root in your diet for erectile dysfunction diet.
Are raddish leaves helpful in lowering uric acid?
Hi Puneet,
Raddish leaves can be consumed if you have gout or high uric acids, but there isnt much evidence in science about raddish leaves lowering the uric acid level. check this – https://www.dietburrp.com/indian-diet-plan-for-gout/