What Is Daikon Radish?
Daikon radish is scientifically known as Raphanus sativus var. Longipinnatus. It is especially consumed in winters due to its abundant availability, and it offers an array of health benefits. It has a unique sharp taste and is popular in Japan. It usually grows in a cylindrical shape and resembles a carrot in texture. Daikon radish is rich in vitamins and minerals. It is also available in different types. Let us check them out in the next section.
Types Of Daikon Radish
Daikon radish is usually available in white with green leaves. However, few other types of daikon come in peculiar colors.
KN-Bravo: This daikon variety has purple skin. The flesh is light purple or white. It has a sweet flavor. Alpine: This daikon variety is whitish and has a sweeter taste compared to other varieties. It is used mostly in making Kimchi. Japanese Minowase: This daikon variety is the largest among all and has a sweet flavor. Japanese Minowases are white and have a crunchy texture. Shunkyo: This daikon variety is known for its mixed sweet and spicy flavor. It has pink stemmed leaves. Miyashige White: This daikon variety is white and grows as a cylindrical root. Its texture is crisp and it has a very mild flavor compared to other daikon varieties. Watermelon Radish: This daikon variety has a unique peppery and sweet taste. It has pink flesh and greenish skin. It grows spherically.
Daikon radish has a rich nutrition profile. Read on to know more.
Daikon Radish Nutrition Facts
Following are the nutrients in 100 grams of daikon radish (1):
Calories: 20 Water: 94.6 Carbs: 4.1 grams Protein: 0.6 grams Fiber: 1.6 grams
Vitamins
Vitamin C: 22 milligrams Folate: 32.5 micrograms Fiber: 1.86 grams
Minerals
Phosphorus: 26.7 milligrams Calcium: 27 milligrams Magnesium: 16 milligrams Potassium: 227 milligrams
Daikon radish offers several health benefits. The following section elaborates them.
Health Benefits Of Daikon Radish
Daikon radish is more than just a crunchy addition to your meals—it is packed with surprising health perks. It has all the benefits of radish. Keep reading forward to discover how this humble veggie can boost your well-being and why it’s worth adding to your diet.
1. May Help Manage Diabetes
Research shows radish has insulin-like polyphenols that act as anti-diabetic compounds. Additionally, Japanese radish was found to reduce the levels of plasma insulin in diabetes rats. This mechanism effectively combats diabetes and also helps in maintaining glucose-related hormones (2).
2. May Aid Weight Loss
In an animal study, radish was found to potentially promote weight loss if consumed regularly. Radish may promote weight loss by decreasing leptin and adiponectin, which are hormones that may induce weight gain (3). Radish also manages lipids effectively and may promote weight loss. Raw daikon radish can be taken as a salad or a side dish.
3. May Promote Skin Health
Anecdotal evidence suggests that regular consumption of radish promotes skin health. Radish contains silicon (4). Silicon is required for collagen synthesis. As per a study, silicon improves skin elasticity and strength (5).
4. May Improve Digestion
Daikon radish contains fiber, which plays a crucial role in digestion. Including 1 or 2 servings of raw or steamed daikon in your diet can have a positive impact on your digestive health.In a study, radish leaves were identified as potential substitutes for dietary fiber (6). These leaves are also known to improve gastrointestinal function. You can add them to your salads or use them as toppings on smoothies to reap the benefits.
5. May Promote Kidney Health
As per some research, intake of radish juice may increase urinary excretion of calcium oxalate. It seems that daikon radish may decrease the accumulation of minerals in the urinary tract and reduce the risk of stone formation (7). However, concrete research is quite scarce in this regard. Consult your doctor before you choose a radish-based diet for treating kidney stones.
6. May Minimize Cancer Risk
Research shows radishes may have potent anti-cancer properties. They are enriched with different bioactive compounds that exert various anti-cancer mechanisms. Radish can exhibit anti-cancer effects in colon cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. Daikon radish is rich in secondary metabolites that have anti-cancer properties (8).
7. May Help Manage Hypertension
Radish leaves are antihypertensive. Animal studies have shown that leaf extracts of radish significantly increased nitric oxide production, which can have an antihypertensive effect (9). However, human studies are limited in this regard. It is highly recommended to consult your doctor before including radish leaves in your diet for its purported antihypertensive effects.
8. May Help Treat Fungal Infections
As per a study, radishes contain an antifungal compound called RsAFP2. This compound has antifungal properties and may inhibit the growth of Candida albicans, a fungus that causes infections in humans (10). Including daikon radishes regularly in your diet may help minimize the recurrent Candida fungal infections in humans. However, more research is warranted in this regard.
9. May Help Treat Cough And Cold
Anecdotal evidence suggests that radish may relieve congestion in the throat. Its pungent taste may clear out the pain and soreness in the throat and loosen phlegm. However, clear scientific research is lacking in this regard.
10. May Fight Oxidative Damage
The antioxidants in daikon radish may help protect the body from oxidative damage. These antioxidants may fight free radicals and potentially reduce the signs of premature aging. However, more research is warranted in this regard. These are the major benefits of daikon radish. Incorporating it into your daily diet can do wonders for your health. Check out the following delicious recipes with daikon radish!
5 Simple Easy And Delicious Daikon Radish Recipes
1. Tangy Daikon Salad
What You Need
1 medium daikon radish 1 medium bell pepper Chopped cilantro Lemon juice (from one lemon)
Method
2. Spicy Daikon Curry
What You Need
1 medium daikon radish 1 cup of grated coconut 1 tablespoon of cumin powder ½ a tablespoon of pepper powder 1 teaspoon of salt ½ a tablespoon of turmeric powder 1 medium onion 2 green chilis 1-inch garlic 1 tablespoon of oil ½ a tablespoon of mustard seeds Few curry leaves
Method
3. Radish And Lemon Juice
What You Need
1 medium daikon radish 2 tablespoons of honey 1 lemon Few mint leaves Crushed ice
Method
4. Radish Beetroot Smoothie
What You Need
1 medium daikon radish 1 medium beetroot 1 cup yogurt ½ a teaspoon of salt 1 lemon Black pepper powder, as needed Few mint leaves
Method
5. Pickled Radish
What You Need
1 medium daikon radish 1/3 cup of white sugar 1 teaspoon of salt 1 cup of warm water 1/3 cup of white vinegar
Method Rebecca, a blogger, has tried an interesting recipe with daikon radish and shared her experience in a blog post. She says “This will make a lovely condiment alongside Asian or Indian food. And I’m thinking that, like sauerkraut, it’s going to be great on pork (i)”.
How To Select And Store Daikon Radish
Always select those that are heavy and taut. They should also be solid and have a slightly pungent smell. Their skin must be soft. Fresh daikon can be stored for at least two weeks by wrapping it with a damp cloth or a plastic bag. The leaves should be stored separately in a plastic bag. Alternatively, they can also be chopped and sealed in a plastic bag (to retain freshness) and stored in a refrigerator. Do not freeze daikon or its greens as they may lose the flavor. Is daikon a superfood? Yes, with its detoxification and immune-boosting benefits, daikon has been considered a superfood in many parts of the world. Is daikon anti-inflammatory? Yes, daikon is rich in phenolic compounds known to have anti-inflammatory properties (11). Is daikon good for the thyroid? Excessive daikon intake may affect thyroid hormone production (12). Therefore, avoiding daikon if you have any pre-existing thyroid conditions is advisable. Is daikon high in sugar? Daikon has 2.5g of sugar per 100g of the vegetable and is mildly sweeter than white radish (1). Is daikon acidic or alkaline? With a pH of 7.5, daikon is an alkaline food. How long does daikon last in the fridge? Daikon can last about 2 weeks when stored adequately wrapped in the fridge. What is the difference between daikon and white radish? Daikon is a winter radish that resembles a white carrot. It is juicier, sweeter, and less intense than the usual white radish. This video delves into the incredible health benefits of Daikon radish and the nuances in taste across its various parts. Explore the versatility of this root widely consumed in Japan. Check it out now! (i). Preserving Floyd: Further Adventures in Fermenting – Daikon Radishhttps://eatingfloyd.blogspot.com/2012/10/preserving-floyd-further-adventures-in.html
