Radish nutrition value, radish benefits side effects
September 09, 2011
Radish benefit - cholesterol and cancer
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]
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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]
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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]

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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.
Radish - benefits and side effects
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