Radishes are a low-calorie root vegetable that can add spicy flavor to salads. Radishes are also a great addition to a raw vegetable platter, as their unique flavor adds variety to the milder taste of other vegetables, such as carrots and broccoli.
Low Calorie
One cup of raw radishes contains 19 calories, which come primarily from carbohydrates. One cup contains less than 1 g of fat and protein. Because radishes have such a strong, unique taste, you can use them to add flavor to your salad and cut down on the amount of dressing used for flavor. Salad dressing is often high in fat, so adding vegetables, such as radishes, and cutting back on dressing, can help you create a healthier salad.
Fiber
Like many vegetables, radishes contain fiber. Fiber is a complex carbohydrate that passes through your digestive tract largely undigested. This can help move food through your system quickly, soften your stool and relieve constipation. One cup of raw radishes contains 1.9 g of fiber, which provides about 7 percent of the daily value for adults.
Potassium
Radishes contain 6 percent of the daily value of potassium per 1-cup serving. Potassium and sodium must be balanced within your body in order for many of your systems to function properly. Potassium is highly concentrated within your cells, whereas sodium is highly concentrated outside your cells. The proper concentration of each of these minerals inside and outside of your cells is necessary for your heart, muscles and nerves to work normally.
Vitamin C
Radishes are also a good source of vitamin C. One cup contains 17 mg, which supplies 23 percent of the daily value for women and 19 percent for men. One of vitamin C's main roles in your body is to help produce collagen. Collagen, in turn, assists in the building of tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and skin. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, consuming adequate vitamin C may help prevent certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and osteoarthritis. However, more research is needed to validate these claims.
Folate
In addition to potassium and vitamin C, radishes also provide folate, which is one of the water-soluble B vitamins. Folate is needed for your body to make new cells. It also helps you make red blood cells so it is important for the prevention of anemia.
Member Comments