Radish nutrition value, radish benefits side effects September 09, 2011 |
ABOUT RADISH Radishes were first cultivated thousands of years ago in China, then in Egypt and Greece. Radishes were so highly regarded in Greece that gold replicas were made. The radish did not make its way to England until approximately 1548. By 1629 they were being cultivated in Massachusetts. [S] Radishes are root vegetables that resemble beets or turnips in appearance and texture, but have a distinct flavor. It is the root of a plant classified in the mustard family. In the United States radishes are usually eaten raw; however, they can be added to cooked dishes or served whole. The biggest crops grown in the United States come from California and Florida, but most states grow radishes. [S] _______________________________________________________________________________________ Radish Nutritional Values and Varieties There are five main varieties of radishes and they are red globe radishes, black radishes, daikons, white icicles, and California Mammoth White. One serving (8.5 g) contains 15 calories, 0 calories from fat, 0 g of total fat or saturated fat, 25 mg of sodium, 0 mg of cholesterol, 3 g of total carbohydrate, 0 g of dietary fiber, 2 g of sugars, 0 g of protein, 0% of vitamin A, 30% of vitamin C and 2% of calcium. (The percentage refers to the % daily value). [s] ____________________________________________________________________________________ Radish Benefits Though we believe that radish may offer a board spectrum of health benefits, studies on radish benefits are actually limited. Most articles on radish benefits are based on its composition rather than animal or clinical studies. Here, we review a few interesting scientific findings on the benefits of radish. Japanese Radish Benefits on Diabetes and Lipid Profiles Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus) sprouts have been shown to improve blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. In a study, researchers prepared water-soluble radish extract and fat-soluble radish extract. They then dosed diabetic rats with these extracts or with a placebo. They found the fat-soluble radish extract suppressed insulin secretion and improved lipid metabolism in non-diabetic rats while the water- soluble radish extract decreased blood glucose levels without increasing insulin secretion and also lowered glycoalbumin and fructosamine levels in the diabetic rats. [1] In another study, rats were fed a diet containing 0%, 2.5% or 5% of Japanese radish sprout ad libitum for 21 days. The Japanese radish sprout-fed normal rats showed lower plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), glucose and insulin and higher plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, whereas the Japanese radish sprout-fed diabetic rats showed lower plasma levels of glucose and insulin without changes in the plasma lipid parameters. Japanese radish sprout also decreased the hepatic TC, TG and PL levels in the normal rats and the TG level in the diabetic rats. [6] Radish Benefits ---? Methylisogermabullone (MIGB) purified from radish was found to have stimulatory effect on the spontaneous contractility of gastrointestinal smooth muscles in a study of rat gastrointestinal strips. And, these contractile responses of GI tracts to MIGB are likely mediated, at least, by activation of acetylcholinergic M2 and M3 receptors.[2] Is it a benefit? Radish Benefits - Cancer Selenium-enriched Japanese radish sprout show anti-cancer activities in Sprague-Dawley female rats with mammary cancer. The incidence of mammary tumors was significantly lower in the Se-enriched sprout-added test diet group (7%) than in the basal diet group (32%) or sprout-added basal diet group (53%). [3] Radish Benefits - Blood Pressure Continuous administration of colors from purple corn, purple sweet potato and red radish to spontaneously hypertensive rats, led to a decrease in the blood pressure of the rats. [4] Radish Side Effects - Thyroid Changes? Most foods have benefits and side effects, especially when we overdose ourselves. WedMD says large amounts of radish lead to side effect of digestive tract irritation. Chronic intake of radish may lead to a change in the thyroid gland. In a study of rats, after chronic radish feeding, increased weight of thyroid gland, decreased thyroid peroxidase activity, reduced thyroid hormone profiles and elevated level of thyrotropin were observed resembling a relative state of hypoactive thyroid gland in comparison to control even after supplementation of adequate iodine. More studies are needed to see if this is really a side effect of radish or just a depletion of iodine. [5] ___________________________________________________________________________________ Reference [s] 5 A Day: Vegetable of the Month: Radish CDC Online Publication November 21, 2005 [1] Taniguchi H, et al. Differing effects of water-soluble and fat-soluble extracts from Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus) sprouts on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2007 Jun;53(3):261-6. [2] Kwon OD, et al. Different stimulatory effects of methylisogermabullone on the spontaneous contractility of rat gastrointestinal segments. Arch Pharm Res. 2009 Nov;32(11):1613-20. [3] Yamanoshita O, et al, Chemopreventive effect of selenium-enriched Japanese radish sprout against breast cancer induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in rats. Tohoku J Exp Med. 2007 Jun;212(2):191-8. [4] Shindo M, et al, Effects of dietary administration of plant-derived anthocyanin-rich colors to spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2007 Feb;53(1):90-3. [5] Chandra AK, et al, Effect of radish (Raphanus sativus Linn.) on thyroid status under conditions of varying iodine intake in rats. Indian J Exp Biol. 2006 Aug;44(8):653-61. [6] Taniguchi H et al, Effect of Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus) sprout (Kaiware-daikon) on carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Phytother Res. 2006 Apr;20(4):274-8. |