Daikon radish: benefits and harms to the human body, medicinal properties

The Japanese have long appreciated the benefits and harms of daikon radish, because people of the East know how to use the healing properties of plants, including them in their daily diet. As an ingredient, this root vegetable is present in many Chinese and Korean dishes. Oriental people are practical, not only the white pulp of the radish is used, they use everything: tops, root crops, leaves.

Composition and nutritional value

Useful properties of radish are determined by nutritional value, taste, composition of nutrients. Daikon is not in vain appreciated by nutritionists: the radish fully provides the physiological needs of the body for proteins and carbohydrates, and there are no fats in the pulp.

Note. 100 g of daikon pulp contains 1.2 g of proteins, 4.1 g of carbohydrates and only 21 kcal. When protein is broken down, 5 Kcal is released, carbohydrates - 16 Kcal.

In percentage terms, the energy value of radish can be represented in numerical terms: carbohydrates 77.4%, proteins 22.6%. Its biochemical composition:

• fiber;
• enzymes;
• pectins;
• phytoncides;
• micronutrients;
• vitamins.

When developing diets for weight loss, nutritionists take into account the low calorie content of the vegetable and the complex of useful components that make up its composition.

Useful properties of daikon

Radish is he althy for people of all ages. Daikon has valuable medicinal properties:

• potassium contained in it has a positive effect on the work of the heart, reduces swelling;
• vitamin B complex normalizes the functioning of the nervous and endocrine systems, regulates the production of insulin;
• iron serves to prevent anemia, is involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin;
• vitamin C protects against colds, stimulates the immune system;
• root contains iodine, which is essential for the thyroid gland;
• phosphorus is necessary for a person for active brain activity, the formation of bones, teeth, its amount in 100 g of pulp is 28 mg;
• enzymes help digest food with starch;
• phytoncides contained in the pulp have a bactericidal effect;
• pectins lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.

Eating raw radish helps cleanse the body of harmful toxins and toxins.This is facilitated by cleansing the intestines with fiber. Ridding the body of harmful substances, radish reduces the load on the liver. Scientists have found in the composition of the vegetable a unique anti-cancer agent - isorhodanic acid, so the use of the root crop serves as a prevention of cancer.

General Benefit

Analysis of the composition helps to understand how useful radish is for humans. Its use has a general benefit for all people:

• strengthens immunity;
• reduces excitability, calms the nervous system;
• helps to lose weight;
• cleanses the body (kidneys, liver, intestines).

Doctors recommend including root vegetables in the diet of people over 50 years old. With age, the condition of blood vessels worsens, cholesterol levels increase. The antioxidants found in radishes help treat atherosclerosis.

Selenium (Se) is especially useful for older people, because over the years its content in the body naturally decreases. Regular consumption of daikon reduces the risk of cancer.Selenium helps prevent cancer:

• digestive system;
• prostate;
• colon;
• womb.

Selenium is actively involved in the formation of cartilage in the spine and joints. This element is necessary in the treatment of osteochondrosis. Eating dishes from the root crop, people make up for the lack of calcium, prevent the development of osteoporosis. The use of dishes with Japanese radish contributes to the overall improvement of the body, and the protein lysozyme accelerates the process of recovery from influenza, SARS. It has been proven that the vegetable is equally useful for both women and men.

What is good for women

Most women care not only about he alth, they are equally concerned about appearance. Daikon is useful during fasting days and weight loss diets. When adding radish to the diet for a long time, weight loss occurs, and the root juice cleanses the female body of toxins and promotes better breakdown of fat.

During pregnancy, women are allowed to eat raw daikon, it has diuretic properties, helps to get rid of edema, relieves the symptoms of toxicosis, replenishes the lack of calcium.

What is useful for men

In Eastern countries, the root crop is considered an aphrodisiac. Men who eat fresh, canned, pickled radish do not complain about potency. The medicinal properties of daikon contribute to men's he alth, improve blood flow in the genital area, reduce the risk of diseases of the genitourinary system, and accelerate their treatment.

For men leading a he althy lifestyle, daikon dishes help keep fit, control weight, and avoid overeating. It is useful to use the root vegetable for men prone to obesity, those who move little, spend a lot of time at the computer or driving a car.

Using daikon

Fresh root crop brings more benefits to the human body, it is used in cosmetology, it is part of folk recipes for many diseases.

In folk medicine

Grated daikon treats minor mechanical damage to the skin: abrasions, cracks. The crushed mass of radish is applied to the damaged surface and fixed with a bandage. Grated daikon mixed with honey and water is used externally: 3 parts of radish, 2 parts of honey, 1 part of water. This rubbing helps with sciatica and rheumatism, reduces pain.

In old age, the life of many people is complicated by atherosclerosis. It is enough to include radish salad in the menu to reduce the likelihood of its occurrence. The daily intake is not more than 150 g.

To lower blood sugar, take daikon juice daily. Daily rate - 6 tbsp. l. in three divided doses after meals. Squeezed radish juice can be stored in an airtight container for no more than a day. To improve the functioning of the intestines, it is enough to drink juice at night, it acts as a mild laxative. The problem of constipation is solved without the use of pills.

In cosmetology

Problems of the intestines are reflected in the condition of the skin of the face. Rashes, poor color, increased dryness or oiliness are signs of poor bowel function. To treat the skin, Japanese radish juice is prepared, and the face is rubbed with it. Possible results from daikon juice:

• disappearance of age spots;
• pore cleaning;
• remove inflammation;
• reduce fine lines;
• improved complexion.

External application of radish juice is no less effective than when taken orally. Daikon face masks enhance the healing effect of the fruit on the skin. For preparation, the root crop is rubbed on a fine grater (50 g), mixed with olive oil (1 tsp). The mass is applied to clean face skin, washed off after 20 minutes. For skin rejuvenation, a daikon mask containing honey is used. For its preparation, use the pulp of a medium root vegetable, mixed with 1 tsp of honey.

Cooking

There is an increase in the popularity of daikon among culinary specialists around the world. The more experienced the cook, the more skillfully the root crop is used. Bitterness is unevenly distributed in the pulp: the tops have more of it, the middle part is sweeter. This is taken into account when preparing Asian dishes.

Important! A fresh salad is useful, it loses most of its healing properties 30 minutes after cooking.

A hearty recipe for daikon salad with boiled chicken will come in handy for many. For 200 g of radish you need:

• 150g poultry meat;
• 2 pcs tomatoes;
• 2 pcs cucumber;
• greens (basil, cilantro, mint).

You need to fill with unsweetened yogurt, it will take 4 tbsp. l. Vegetables (daikon radish, cucumber) are cut into strips, the meat is divided by hand into fibers, the tomatoes are cut into thin slices, the greens are chopped. All ingredients are mixed and seasoned with unsweetened yogurt.

Easy-to-make spring vitamin salads are made from several vegetables, and combinations with daikon can be very different. Many people like the taste of radish flavored with sesame seeds. The composition of the dish includes products:

• daikon - 300 g;
• white sesame - 2 tbsp. l;
• dill;
• green onion;
• parsley;
• cucumbers - 2 pcs. (not large).

For dressing you will need olive oil (3 parts) and soy sauce (1 part).

The cooking process will not take long. Daikon can be thinly sliced or grated with a coarse grater. Cucumbers are cut into circles, dill and onion are chopped. Put everything in a salad bowl, sprinkle with sesame seeds, season with a mixture of sauce and butter.

You can make a daikon side dish in just 15 minutes. For a dieting person, it will be an excellent substitute for fried potatoes. The dish is tasty and low in calories.

Note. During heat treatment, the bitterness from the pulp of the radish disappears.

Product consumption for 1 serving of side dish:

• daikon radish - 350 g;
• bacon - 7g;
• vegetable oil - 1 tbsp. l;
• seasonings to taste (pepper, s alt);
• greens (parsley).

Daikon is cut into medium-sized sticks, fried in oil until transparent for 10 minutes over medium heat. At the end of cooking, the radish garnish is sprinkled with chopped bacon cubes and chopped parsley. The dish is consumed hot.

In diet food

Overweight people need to exclude high-calorie foods from the diet and replace them with he althy and low-calorie vegetables. Nutritionists welcome the use of a root vegetable containing fiber.

To cleanse the body of toxins drink radish juice. It is recommended to drink ½ glass of a freshly prepared drink after dinner, while achieving positive results:

• removal of excess fluid from the body;
• weight loss;
• colon cleansing;
• lower bad cholesterol.

It is important to drink smoothies from fresh cucumbers, radish juice, parsley.

Daikon Harm

Moderate consumption of daikon radish is not harmful. Unpleasant sensations in the form of bloating are possible when overeating. There are contraindications for people with such diseases:

• gastric and duodenal ulcer;
• chronic gastrointestinal diseases;
• individual intolerance;
• thyroid dysfunction;
• stones in the bile ducts.

It is necessary to comply with the measure of patients with gout and with an established diagnosis of urolithiasis. Signs of overeating daikon: flatulence, irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

How to choose Japanese radish

When choosing a radish, you need to analyze the condition of the tops. Fresh, green tops are a sign of a quality root crop. The peel of the daikon should be smooth, without dents or bulges, the flesh should be dense, elastic, heavy.

Growing daikon on the plot

In Japan, daikon is grown on an industrial scale. When growing radish in the country, you need to follow simple rules:

• prepare the soil (the root grows well in loose soil);
• observe crop rotation (do not plant after cruciferous crops);
• sow seeds from late June to mid-July;
• organize regular and abundant watering.

Important. With rare watering, the size of the daikon is small, the flesh is dry.

Grow radish in regions where the summer is cool. In temperate climates, vegetable growers manage to collect giant specimens.

Collection and storage

Radish should be stored at a temperature not exceeding 5 °C. For this purpose, a cellar or vegetable compartment of the refrigerator is suitable. Compliance with the recommended temperature regime is a guarantee of fruit protection from white rot and an extension of the shelf life. Harvesting begins 1.5-2 months after planting. The exact timing depends on the planted variety of radish. Work is carried out in dry weather. Only he althy radish fruits without signs of rot and mechanical damage are lowered into the cellar.

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