Why Radishes Are So Healthy?
Small, round and spicy. Since April it is radish season again. In the health community it is undisputed that radishes are extremely healthy. EAT SMARTER reveals the 4 facts that make radishes so healthy! We will tell you all about the important vitamins and minerals radishes have and how to best store them so they keep their taste and vitamins.
Why Radishes Are So Healthy
For a long time, the western world was unfamiliar with radishes. The vegetable didn’t arrive in Europe until the 16th-century. Their exact origin is unclear, but it is generally believed that radishes come from China, where they were used as ornamental plants. At some point, people discovered they could also eat radishes, which is extremely positive because of the health benefits we now know radishes have. The plants contain mustard oil, which gives it its wonderfully pungent flavor. Mustard oil has antibacterial properties and can act as a preventative measure against an upset stomach and intestinal problems. Some animal studies even indicate that radishes could help prevent cancer. In addition to the mustard oil, potassium, calcium, and iron, and vitamins A, B1, B2 and C make radishes an incredibly healthy vegetable.
How You Can Tell If A Radish Is Fresh
When you picture radishes, you picture small, round, red balls. But there are also radishes in oblong, oval shapes with white skin. The freshness of radishes can be recognized in their color: yellow, discolored, or wilted indicates that the radish isn’t fresh. It should be hard and have no cracks, which a pressure test can show.
How To Best Store Radishes
Fresh radishes can be stored for only two or three days. Before you store the vegetables, you should take off the leaves, preventing the loss of water. Then, rinse the vegetables and place them in damp towels. If the radishes became soft and pruny, you can let them soak in a bath of cold water. This will make them crisp and round again.
Best Ways To Eat Radishes
Radishes are a healthy, low-calorie snack. You can snack on them raw, cut them into slices to eat on bread or in a salad, or even try our radish-smoothie!
