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Food & Recipes

Snacking on This Delicious Veggie Can Balance Blood Sugar, Detox Your Liver, and Reduce Signs of Aging

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Whether you’re harvesting them from your own garden or picking them up at the grocery store, there are some pretty amazing benefits to adding radishes to your daily meals. 

The small veggie known for its distinct peppery flavor is packed with nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and lutein. All of that comes with less than 20 calories and about 4 carbs per cup of sliced radishes, making it a guilt-free snack even before we dive into all the other health perks!

Benefits of Radishes 

Radishes are a particularly great choice for anyone who constantly battles balancing their blood sugar. According to a 2017 review of studies published in Nutrients, researchers found the antioxidant properties of the vegetable were able to protect against hormone-triggered glucose spikes. It also appeared to reduce blood sugar absorption in the intestine for lower overall glucose levels.

Your liver will thank you for adding more radishes to your meals, too. An animal study from the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine claims that a compound in them called isothiocyanate was shown to significantly diminish effects of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in subjects that were fed a high-fat diet. 

The compound is also known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer qualities. It can be found in other cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, as well. Anyone looking for a good liver detox might want to mix them all together for a healthy salad!

We all know vitamin C is a powerhouse when it comes to boosting our immunity, but it can also help maintain strong muscles as we age. Plus, getting it from water-rich sources like radishes will amp up hydration throughout our bodies — including our skin, warding off other pesky signs of aging like wrinkles and dry patches. You can simply nosh on the veg now and then, or try mashing a radish or two into a paste and use it as a natural mask or scrub.

On top of all those benefits, the potassium in radishes can help you have more energy and stronger bones. And that red color on the outside? That’s thanks to a flavonoid known as anthocyanin which has been shown to protect us from cardiac and brain health issues

Radishes are typically enjoyed raw, either mixed in with a salad or on their own. (Psst: Their crunchy texture makes them a great chip replacement with healthy dip!) They also take on a slightly sweeter flavor when roasted or sautéed with butter, garlic, and pepper. Whatever way you go, you’ll be chowing down on a deliciously healthy dish!

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