Content
The benefits and harms of daikon should be studied by those people who complain of certain ailments before eating it. For a healthy body, this vegetable, rich in vitamins and fiber, will bring undoubted benefits. It tastes good and lacks the bitterness from mustard oils found in radishes or regular radishes. A cylindrical white root vegetable, similar in outline to carrots, but much larger in volume, due to its beneficial properties it is also used in external treatment and cosmetology.
Composition and nutritional value of daikon
Root vegetables are valued for their vitamin composition, saturation with macro- and microelements, along with low calorie content, which together constitute their beneficial properties.
Chemical composition of daikon root vegetables
Japanese radish contains almost all the minerals needed for excellent health:
- potassium – 280 mg;
- phosphorus – 28 mg;
- calcium – 27 mg;
- sodium – 16 mg;
- copper – 10 mg;
- magnesium – 9 mg;
- chlorine – 7 mg;
- sulfur – 5 mg;
- iron – 0.84 mg;
- manganese – 0.75 mg;
- zinc – 0.18 mg.
Two microelements with beneficial properties for humans are measured in 100 g of daikon not in milligrams, but in micrograms:
- iodine – 2.1 mcg;
- selenium – 0.8 mcg.
Vitamin content in daikon
Vitamins are well accumulated and preserved in the tender pulp. Most of all, 30 mg, vitamin C, which is what many beneficial properties of sweet radish are based on. It turns out that 100 g of fresh vegetables will provide more than one third of the daily requirement of ascorbic acid. But it is not only this essential substance that determines the benefits of daikon for the human body. Contains over 2 mg of each of vitamins PP, E, B5. There are also other group B substances valuable for the health of the nervous system:
- B1 – 0.8 mg;
- B2 – 0.2 mg;
- B6 – 0.3 mg;
- B9 – 18 mcg.
They also determine 10 mcg of vitamin A and 19 mcg of vitamin H.
Calorie content of daikon
White non-bitter radish, in addition to its beneficial composition of minerals, is low in calories. 100 g of fresh product contains only 18-21 kcal. Due to its low calorie content, daikon radish is popular among those who monitor their health.
How many carbohydrates are in daikon
With the complete absence of fat, 100 g of root vegetables contain:
- 1.2 g proteins;
- 4.1 g carbohydrates;
- 1.4 g fiber;
- 95.4 g water.
Also present are starch - 0.5 g and ash - 0.8 g. For their obvious benefits and a large amount of juicy pulp, quite pleasant to the taste, many value white, shelf-stable root vegetables as a dietary product.
What are the benefits of daikon for the body?
Chemical components show that daikon radish is beneficial for the body.Potassium, sodium, and calcium work at the cellular level to promote overall health. In addition, the benefit of the vegetable is that it is rich in other substances and compounds:
- enzymes that help digest foods with large amounts of starch better;
- phytoncides that inhibit the development of bacteria;
- antioxidants, which, with prolonged use, remove harmful cholesterol;
- fiber and pectins cleanse the body of toxins and remove unnecessary fluid;
- lysozymes with antiseptic properties.
The benefits of daikon radish for the body are significant and are reflected in long-term and systematic use, preferably raw. Many appreciate the choleretic and diuretic effect, the calming effect on the nervous system, as a preventative against cancer.
What are the benefits of daikon for women?
By systematically consuming dishes made from Japanese or Chinese radish, as the vegetable, popular because of its benefits in Southeast Asian countries, is sometimes called, adult women and men provide the body with the necessary vitamins and valuable fiber. The beneficial properties of daikon radishes are that their low calorie content does not lead to gaining extra pounds of weight.
During pregnancy
Expectant mothers have to reconsider their usual diet, including the use of non-bitter white radish. Daikon is not contraindicated for pregnant women in moderate quantities, especially at first. Its beneficial properties work positively: the diuretic effect relieves swelling and helps to get rid of toxins, and minerals, calcium in particular, are beneficial by strengthening teeth. But for all its recognized benefits, there are some limitations.The vegetable activates smooth muscles, and the risk of miscarriage increases with the constant presence of white radish in food. There may be unpleasant sensations in the intestines associated with flatulence processes. A large amount of daikon in the diet may also cause sleep disturbance or irritability. It will be enough to eat 100 g of fresh vegetable with beneficial diuretic properties after 3-4 days.
Sweet white radish is chopped into slices and sprinkled with sugar. Before breakfast, lunch and dinner, drink 10 ml of the juice that has been released.
When breastfeeding
Nursing mothers should not include vegetables with beneficial properties in their diet for the first 2 months of their new life. After this time, the baby’s digestive organs will be able to perceive changes in mother’s milk. It happens that when a baby experiences a different taste, he refuses to eat. Although daikon is beneficial during breastfeeding, as it increases lactation. In any case, the product is administered in small portions and the reaction of the body – yours and the baby’s – is monitored.
The benefits and harms of daikon for men
Systematic consumption of non-bitter radish with beneficial properties increases potency in men and has a general strengthening effect. Sexual desire increases, because the body receives all the necessary minerals and vitamins. The benefits of daikon for men working at a computer or driving a car are to regulate weight and activate blood flow in the genital area,
Is daikon okay for children?
Although the vegetable is not bitter, without mustard oil, it is difficult for a child’s body to digest large amounts of fiber.You can give fresh daikon with beneficial properties only to children over 3-4 years old. They start with the smallest portions and, if the child wishes, give a limited amount.
Benefits of daikon for the elderly
Older people should also consume the high-fiber vegetable in moderation. Active digestion is required for good absorption. Sometimes the benefits will be more significant if you replace the vegetable with juice. The beneficial properties are the same - a mild diuretic and laxative effect, saturation with valuable substances.
What are the benefits of daikon?
Chinese radish with beneficial properties is also used purposefully, trying to cure certain diseases.
Against cough
Like bitter radish, daikon is used for coughs. This beneficial property of the vegetable is based on a significant amount of phytoncides that resist the proliferation of microbes. Specific protein compounds stop further infection of the respiratory tract. Daikon is used to treat complications of colds, flu, and bronchitis. The benefits of juice, under the influence of which liquefy phlegm, are especially important:
- 50 ml mixed with 1 tsp. honey and drink before meals;
- 50 ml of daikon juice is mixed with 50 ml of carrot or apple juice, the procedure is the same.
For diabetes
The glycemic index of daikon is 15 units. The vegetable gives a feeling of fullness and is useful for those who control weight gain and diabetics. Fiber regulates sugar in the body. Daikon is used for type 2 diabetes mellitus because of its beneficial properties, rich composition of minerals and vitamins, with the help of which:
- anemia is prevented;
- immunity increases;
- heart function improves;
- the quality of vision is preserved;
- there is a positive effect on the nervous system.
Radish is introduced into the diet in the form of salads:
- with boiled chicken breast, stewed onions, grated carrots and daikon, seasoned with herbs, pepper and sour cream;
- with grated carrots and daikon, chopped sweet peppers, onions, herbs, seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice.
For the liver
The vegetable’s compounds cleanse the bile ducts and help a healthy body digest fatty foods, so a salad made from it must be included in the list of holiday dishes. Daikon will benefit the liver in the following dish:
- boil and peel 150 g of shrimp;
- For the sauce, mix the juice of 2 tangerines with 4 tbsp. l. mayonnaise;
- Peel 1 apple and cut into small slices;
- 4 tangerines are divided into slices;
- grate 100 g of daikon and season everything with the prepared sauce.
For gout
With the development of the inflammatory gouty process, even sweet radish is not recommended to be included in the diet. Daikon for gout, as well as rheumatism, is used in the form of rubbing the joints: mix 30 ml of radish juice, 20 g of honey, 10 ml of 70% alcohol and place in a dark, cool place for a week.
For weight loss
A high amount of vitamin C helps normalize weight. When dieting, eating 300 g of sweet radish per day will help you get rid of 175 calories, since it increases metabolism. Daikon for weight loss is used in salads and cocktails before training:
- put 100 g of root vegetables and mango in a blender;
- On a hot summer evening, prepare a refreshing smoothie from 100 g of cucumber, 100 g of root vegetables and several sprigs of parsley.
Include Chinese radish in the diet of fasting days.
Moreover, the vegetable is capable of removing radionuclides.
Benefits of daikon juice
The liquid is not so irritating to the digestive system. Therefore, given that white daikon radish has both benefits and harms, in ambiguous cases people tend to drink juice. It is taken when losing weight, often before training, since the vegetable is a natural fat burner. It is recommended to drink 50 ml of juice every day on an empty stomach for 2 weeks. Elderly people are also advised to replace grated vegetables with juice, which retains all the beneficial properties.
Application of daikon
Japanese radish is taken as an active ingredient for proven recipes of traditional medicine and cosmetology, taking into account the benefits of daikon and contraindications to its use.
In folk medicine
Healers advise eating and drinking daikon juice:
- relieving hangover;
- activating the functioning of the gallbladder and bladder;
- freeing the intestines from toxins and waste;
- stopping cough;
- reducing inflammation in sore throats, joints and skin infections;
- healing wounds and scratches with gruel;
- reducing increased nervous excitability.
In cosmetology
When using Chinese radish as an antiseptic, juice or pulp is used as:
- cleansing lotion;
- mask for acne;
- a product for whitening freckles and pigmented areas on the skin;
- balm for beauty, shine and hair growth.
How to eat daikon
Traditionally, sweet radish is included in various salads. They often make it fresh. Young green leaves can also be eaten. In China and Japan, the vegetable is pickled, boiled and stewed.
Restrictions and contraindications for use
Despite its beneficial properties, daikon can cause harm even to healthy people if consumed indefinitely.Pains and cramps in the abdomen, diarrhea, and even fever may be bothersome. Daikon is strictly prohibited due to the following contraindications:
- gastritis with high acidity;
- stomach ulcer;
- liver pathologies;
- kidney diseases.
Those who suffer from gout should also avoid the vegetable.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of daikon have been well studied. In each specific case, the attending physician will help resolve doubts. Anyone who has no health complaints can consume the vegetable in moderate recommended amounts.
