When you think of radishes, you probably imagine the red or pinkish or white vegetable that rabbits love to eat. But there is another radish out there, that should be on your radar – the black radish, also known as the Spanish radish. They are different than your typical spring radish in a lot of ways. Them being black goes without saying, but they are also typically larger, have a tougher texture, and are a bit more pungent to boot. The black radish also has its unique set of health benefits.
Black Radish Nutrients
A typical black radish has a wide variety of vitamins and nutrients that make it a powerhouse in fighting off colds and flu:
- Copper 9g
- Dietary fiber 10.2g
- Iron 8g
- Magnesium 4.5g
- Potassium 5.6mg
- Selenium 6mg
- Vitamin A 8g
- Vitamin B 5g
- Vitamin C 7.8g
- Vitamin E 6g
- Zinc 3.3mg
All of these vitamins and minerals synthesize and work together harmoniously to optimize your immune system and keep your body healthy during cold season. They provide your body with some specific health benefits to help your body resist cold.
Health Benefits
Facilitates Liver Health
Your liver is important for keeping your body healthy and resisting illness because it detoxifies the blood. It’s responsible for getting rid of harmful pathogens. That’s why the healthier the liver, the better your overall health. Black radishes introduce an enzyme called glutathione, which protects your liver from succumbing to the toxins its fighting against.
Great source of vitamin C
Black radishes have pretty prodigious vitamin C content. Vitamin C is important for keeping your body healthy and illness free. It is responsible for producing white blood cells, which is the foundation for your immune system.
Suppresses cough
Eating black radish can also help to reduce the cough caused by the common cold and respiratory illnesses.
