Radishes are Surprisingly Good for your HealthRadishes may not be the most popular vegetable in your garden, but they are one of the healthiest.
These undervalued root vegetables are packed with nutrients with valuable health benefits for your heart and urinary tract. Here are some of their health benefits as backed by modern research:
Enhanced Cardiovascular Health
Radishes are a rich source of anthocyanins, flavonoids that not only give them their vibrant color but also a number of health benefits.
Epidemiological studies show that increased anthocyanin consumption lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. These flavonoids usually interact with other phytochemicals for synergistic effects and possibly regulate various signaling pathways involved in heart disease development.
Relief of Urinary Discomfort
Radishes are diuretic which means they help increase the production of urine.
A radish-containing diet was also found to increase the excretion of calcium oxalate, which forms kidney stones. The crystal count in the urine was found to be significantly higher in both men and women. Radish also surfaced in a 2012 study to act against Candida albicans, a common cause of oral and vaginal yeast infections.
Radishes in Your Vegetable Garden
Consider planting spring radishes in late winter in a shielded cold frame, window box or container in the house or on your patio. The good news is radishes grow well in nearly any soil, as long as it's prepared properly, fertilized naturally and maintains enough moisture.
If you are lucky you might find some seeds of the peppery pungent variety.