Radishes are a top-notch snack, and who cares if they supposedly make your breath stink
At the editorial office, we have a fervent fan of them in Sharon, and a bag or container almost always comes with her from home to the office: radishes. Incidentally, our office is a real safe space for Sharon when it comes to radish consumption: apparently, at home people complain that “they make your breath stink”… Hahaaa, well, we don’t care about that and all happily nibble away at her stash!
And not only do they stop you from stuffing something like all the leftover Easter eggs into your mouth (at that particular moment), radishes also contain all kinds of nutrients that can give your body a boost. Healthy snacking, then, thanks to these properties:
Iron
Radishes contain iron, and iron helps form a component of red blood cells. These are important because they transport oxygen throughout our bodies. Iron is also needed by cells to produce energy and contributes to the functioning of the immune system. You can also use extra iron when you’re pregnant to help prevent anemia.
Magnesium
You also get magnesium when you eat radishes, which is needed, among other things, for the formation of bones and muscles. With a healthy diet, you’re unlikely to become deficient in magnesium, but excessive intake can actually be caused by magnesium tablets. A bag of radishes certainly won’t give you an overdose, so go ahead and crunch away.
Glucosinolates
Glucosinolates are natural toxins, which you don’t need to be alarmed by. They can create a certain distinctive flavor in cabbages and radishes, and they protect these crops against insects and larvae. In the human body, they can help protect against the effects of carcinogenic substances, according to the Voedingscentrum, because they cause your body to produce more of a certain type of protein (Phase 2). These proteins, in turn, help render toxic substances in your body harmless.
In short: radishes are a spicy, top-notch snack, and everyone should know (and smell) it!
Also read:
- Tip: try roasting your radishes!
- Is Waldkorn bread healthy? No, you’re being fooled
- The nonsense behind some TikTok trends explained
Source: Voedingscentrum
