Daikon Radish Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
Daikon is a winter oilseed radish native to East Asia. It has a mild flavor and an elongated white root like a giant carrot. Daikon radish is bigger and sweeter than summer radishes. It is now cultivated widely all over the world, such as Europe, America, and Asia.
The scientific name of Daikon is Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus. It belongs to the family Brassicaceae. It has many variations and has different names, such as Chinese radish, Japanese radish, Korean radish, Oriental radish, and mooli. In English-speaking countries, it is also called white icicle radish, white radish, winter radish, and long white radish. In North America, when daikon is being used as animal feed or as a soil ripper, it is called forage radish, fodder radish, and tillage radish.
Nutritional Value of Daikon Radish
Daikon radish is very low in calories; it is 95% water, 4% carbohydrates, and contains negligible protein and fat. In a 100-gram reference amount, oriental radish supplies 18 calories, 4.1 g carbohydrate, 0.6 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 22 mg vitamin C, 28 µg folate, 27 mg calcium, 0.4 mg iron, 16 mg magnesium, 227 mg potassium, 0.15 mg zinc, and 0.7 µg selenium.
Daikon Radish Nutrition Facts Label
Health Benefits of Daikon Radish
Because of its high content of various vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, daikon has numerous health benefits, including improving skin health, improving digestive health, boosting the immune system, containing anti-bacterial properties, preventing various skin infections, lowering cholesterol levels, preventing various types of cancer, containing anti-inflammatory properties, preventing macular degeneration, improving circulation, improving cardiovascular health, and improving b Besides this, daikon is very beneficial for weight loss.
Weight Control
Daikon is very low in calories, low fat, and low carbohydrates. 100 grams of daikon can only provide 18 calories of energy and 0.1 g of fat, which is very beneficial in weight loss. Eating radish fills us up and has been linked to lower body weight or weight gain. Radishes will reduce hunger but without providing excessive caloric intake.
Improving Gut Health
Daikon radish is highly rich in dietary fiber, which is very useful for our gut health. High content of fiber is beneficial for preventing constipation and maintaining healthy bowel function, retain water in stool and adds bulk so that it moves easily through digestive tract. it also helps to prevent various types of digestive problem, such as constipation, bloating, flatulence, etc.
Boost Immune Function
Daikon is rich in Vitamin C, which plays a significant role in human health. Vitamin C is needed for collagen synthesis, the protein that serves so many connective functions in the body. Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that fights against free radicals and reduces inflammatory symptoms. It is also required for the functioning of several enzymes and is important for immune system function.
Prevention of Kidney Stone
Kidneys support the excretion of water-soluble waste by diuresis and the process of urination. Stones form in the kidney when minerals in the urine are at a high concentration. Daikon can promote urination frequency in our body, which is very beneficial for our overall health, and it also helps to flush out various toxins and uric acid from our body through urine. A study showed that radish vegetables were one of the foods that were excellent for overcoming a variety of renal disorders caused by kidney stones. Because it also flushes out the extra calcium through urine, which is the main cause of stone formation in our body.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Daikon consists of a considerable amount of potassium, which is very beneficial for controlling blood pressure in our body. Potassium acts as a vasodilator, which means it reduces the strain from the blood vessels and provides a smooth passage for blood through arteries, thus reducing the pressure from the cardiovascular system. That helps to reduce blood pressure and prevent the risk of hypertension.
Antibacterial Activity
Daikon also contains the active enzyme myrosinase, which has antibacterial activity. This compound will make a radish effective in killing fungal growth in the body. It is very beneficial to our respiratory health. Research has shown that daikon can reduce the phlegm and mucus formation in our respiratory tract, and it also helps to prevent bacterial and viral infections in the respiratory tract. In addition, daikon radish is highly rich in antioxidants, which help to prevent the oxidative damage to our respiratory tract cells caused by free radicals.