Useful properties and contraindications of daikon radish for the human body
The Japanese have long appreciated the benefits and harms of the daikon radish, because the people of the east know how to use the healing properties of plants, including them in their daily diet. This root vegetable is found in many Chinese and Korean dishes as an ingredient. Oriental people are practical, they use not only the white pulp of a radish, 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: radish fully satisfies the body's physiological needs for proteins and carbohydrates, and there are no fats in the pulp.
On a note. 100 g of daikon pulp contains proteins - 1.2 g, carbohydrates - 4.1 g and only 21 Kcal. When protein is broken down, 5 Kcal is released, carbohydrates - 16 Kcal.
In percentage terms, the energy value of a radish can be represented in numerical terms: carbohydrates 77.4%, proteins 22.6%. Its biochemical composition:
- cellulose;
- enzymes;
- pectins;
- phytoncides;
- trace elements;
- 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 good for health for people of any age. Daikon has valuable medicinal properties:
- the potassium contained in it has a positive effect on the work of the heart, reduces edema;
- a complex of B vitamins normalizes the functioning of the nervous and endocrine systems, regulates the production of insulin;
- iron serves as the prevention of anemia, is involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin;
- vitamin C protects against colds, stimulates the immune system;
- the 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;
- the phytoncides contained in the pulp have a bactericidal effect;
- pectins lower cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood.
Eating raw radish helps cleanse the body of harmful toxins and toxins. This is facilitated by cleansing the intestines with fiber. By ridding the body of harmful substances, radishes reduce the burden on the liver. Scientists have found a unique anti-cancer agent in the vegetable - isorodanoic acid, therefore, the use of the root vegetable serves as the prevention of cancer.
General benefit
The analysis of the composition helps to understand how the radish is useful for humans. Its use has general benefits for all people:
- strengthens the immune system;
- reduces excitability, calms the nervous system;
- helps to lose weight;
- cleans the body (kidneys, liver, intestines).
Doctors recommend including the root vegetable in the diet for people over 50. With age, the state of blood vessels worsens, and cholesterol levels increase. The antioxidants contained in radish facilitate the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Selenium (Se) is especially useful for older people, because its content in the body naturally decreases over the years. Regular consumption of daikon reduces the risk of cancer. Selenium helps prevent cancer:
- digestive system;
- prostate;
- colon;
- uterus.
Selenium is actively involved in the formation of cartilage in the spine and joints. This element is necessary in the treatment of osteochondrosis. By eating root vegetables, people make up for the lack of calcium, prevent the development of osteoporosis. The use of dishes with Japanese radish contributes to the overall health of the body, and the protein lysozyme accelerates the recovery process from influenza, ARVI. It has been proven that the vegetable is useful to both women and men.
What is useful for women
Most women care not only about health, they are equally concerned about their appearance. Daikon is useful during fasting days and weight loss diets. When radish is added to the diet for a long time, weight loss occurs, and the juice of the root vegetable cleanses the female body of toxins and promotes better fat breakdown.
During pregnancy, women are allowed to eat daikon raw, it has diuretic properties, helps to get rid of edema, relieves symptoms of toxicosis, and replenishes calcium deficiencies.
What is useful for men
In the countries of the East, 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 health, improve blood flow in the genital area, reduce the risk of diseases of the genitourinary system, and accelerate their treatment.
For men leading a healthy lifestyle, daikon dishes help to 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
A fresh root vegetable brings more benefits to the human body, it is used in cosmetology, it is included in folk recipes for many diseases.
In folk medicine
The rubbed daikon is used to treat 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 applied externally: 3 parts of radish, 2 parts of honey, 1 part of water. This rubbing helps with radiculitis and rheumatism, relieves 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 appearance. The daily consumption rate is not more than 150 g.
To lower blood sugar levels, take daikon juice daily. The daily rate is 6 tbsp. l. in three doses after meals. The squeezed radish juice can be stored in an airtight container for no more than a day. To improve the work 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
Bowel problems affect the condition of the facial skin. Rashes, poor color, increased dryness or grease are signs of poor bowel function. To treat the skin, prepare the juice of a Japanese radish, rub it over the face. Possible results from using daikon juice:
- the disappearance of age spots;
- cleaning pores;
- removal of inflammation;
- reduction in the number of fine wrinkles;
- improvement of complexion.
External use of radish juice is no less effective than when taken internally. Daikon face masks enhance the healing effect of the fetus on the skin. For cooking, the root vegetable is rubbed on a fine grater (50 g), mixed with olive oil (1 tsp). The mass is applied to clean skin of the face, washed off after 20 minutes. For skin rejuvenation, use a daikon mask containing honey. For its preparation, use the pulp of a medium root vegetable, mixed with 1 tsp of honey.
In cooking
There is a growing popularity of daikon among culinary experts around the world. The more experienced the chef, the more skillfully the root vegetable 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! 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:
- 150 g of poultry meat;
- 2 pcs. tomatoes;
- 2 pcs. cucumbers;
- greens (basil, cilantro, mint).
You need to fill it with unsweetened yogurt, it will take 4 tbsp. l. Vegetables (daikon radish, cucumber) are cut into strips, the meat is divided into fibers by hand, 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 prepared from several vegetables, while combinations with daikon can be very different. Many people like the taste of sesame-flavored radish. The dish contains products:
- daikon - 300 g;
- white sesame - 2 tbsp l;
- dill;
- green onion;
- parsley;
- cucumbers - 2 pcs. (not large).
For dressing, you need olive oil (3 parts) and soy sauce (1 part).
The cooking process will not take long. Daikon can be cut into thin slices or grated with a coarse grater. Cucumbers are cut into slices, dill and onions are chopped. Put everything in a salad bowl, sprinkle with sesame seeds, season with a mixture of sauce and butter.
Daikon garnish can be prepared in just 15 minutes. For a dieter, it will be an excellent substitute for fried potatoes. The dish turns out to be tasty and low-calorie.
On a note. During heat treatment, the bitterness from the radish pulp disappears.
Product consumption for 1 serving of garnish:
- daikon radish - 350 g;
- bacon - 7 g;
- vegetable oil - 1 tbsp. l;
- seasonings to taste (pepper, salt);
- greens (parsley).
Daikon is cut into small cubes, fried in oil until transparent for 10 minutes over medium heat. At the end of cooking, sprinkle the radish garnish with chopped bacon cubes and chopped parsley. The dish is consumed hot.
In dietary nutrition
Overweight people need to exclude high-calorie foods from their diet and replace them with vegetables that are healthy and low-calorie. Nutritionists are encouraged to eat a root vegetable containing fiber.
To cleanse the body of toxins, they drink radish juice. It is recommended to drink ½ glass of freshly prepared drink after dinner, while achieving positive results:
- removal of excess fluid from the body;
- weight loss;
- purgation;
- lowering bad cholesterol levels.
It is topical to drink smoothies made 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:
- stomach and duodenal ulcer;
- chronic gastrointestinal diseases;
- individual intolerance;
- dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
- stones in the bile ducts.
It is necessary to observe the measure for patients with gout and with an established diagnosis of urolithiasis. Signs of overeating daikon: flatulence, irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.
How to choose a 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 rind of the daikon should be smooth, without dents or bumps, the pulp should be dense, elastic, heavy.
Growing daikon on the site
In Japan daikon grow on an industrial scale. When growing radish in the country, you need to follow simple rules:
- prepare the soil (the root crop grows well in loose soil);
- observe crop rotation (do not plant after cruciferous crops);
- sow with seeds from late June to mid-July;
- organize regular and abundant watering.
Important. With rare watering, the size of the daikon is small, the pulp is dry.
You can grow radish in regions where summer is cool. In temperate climates, growers manage to collect giant specimens.
Collection and storage
You need to store the radish at a temperature not exceeding 5 ° C. A cellar or vegetable compartment of the refrigerator is suitable for this purpose. Compliance with the recommended temperature regime is a guarantee of the protection of fruits from white rot and extension of the shelf life. Harvesting begins 1.5-2 months after planting. The exact timing depends on the type of radish planted. Work is carried out in dry weather. Only healthy radish fruits without signs of rot and mechanical damage are lowered into the cellar.
