Why Radishes are the Ultimate Beauty Food

Looking for foods that are good for your skin? We’d like to suggest one that you may not have thought of…

While kale has had its well-deserved time in the spotlight, and coconut water continues to reign supreme, both of them need to make room for the skin-beautifying ingredient many of us have been ignoring — radishes.

If you’re not already incorporating this food into your diet, it’s time to start.

Here’s why radishes need to be on your plate at your next meal, or even in your next homemade skin mask.

What is a Radish?

The radish (Raphanus sativus) is an edible root vegetable that comes from a plant that’s part of the cabbage family. It’s been around for a long time, though scientists aren’t really sure from where it originated. Wild forms of the plant have been found in Southeast Asia, which may be a sign that they first grew there, but the Greeks and Romans were using them by the third century B.C. It’s believed radishes were brought to America in the 1600s.

There are a number of different varieties of the plant, but it’s the spicy ones that we’re most familiar with. Hardy and pest resistant, they include a number of chemical compounds that give them their unique sharp flavor. It’s these chemicals, along with a number of vitamins and minerals, that seem to be responsible for the radish’s many health benefits.

Radishes make a great garnish for salads and other vegetable dishes because of their distinct flavor and nutritional content. A full cup of radishes contains only about 19 calories, along with a high water content that helps keep you hydrated and satisfied. (Though realistically, you don’t want to eat a full cup of radish slices. Below we have some other ideas for how to enjoy them.)

Before we go into how radishes specifically beautify your skin, we want to talk about some of their most potent health benefits. And in the end, what’s good for your health is good for your complexion.

The Amazing Health Benefits of Radishes

Radishes have a lot to brag about...

Detoxifying

Dieticians know that radishes are good for the liver, and that they can help flush toxins out of the body. A 1988 book entitled The Treatment of Jaundice included a chapter on clearing a blocked liver with wild celery, caper, and radish. A more recent 2014 study also found that Spanish black radishes had a marked effect on liver function. The researchers wrote: “This study demonstrated that the supplement containing Spanish black radish positively altered the metabolism of acetaminophen, suggesting an effective increase in liver detoxification capacity in humans….”

Ease Digestion

A 2008 study reported that radish juice helped inhibit the formation of gastric ulcers, with researchers concluding that it had “gastroprotective” potential—meaning it helped protect the digestive system. Eating radishes before a meal is said to increase digestive power.

Beyond that, radishes contain indigestible carbs and are high in fiber, making them a great food to ease digestion, reduce the symptoms of constipation, and limit water retention.

Soothe Urinary Problems

Radishes are considered a diuretic vegetable, meaning they promote urination. They also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help protect against urinary tract infections and potentially encourage healing. There is some evidence that radishes, because of these properties, can also help improve and protect kidney health, and potentially reduce the risk of kidney stones.

May Protect Against Cancer

A number of studies have suggested that radishes may help to protect us against cancer. In 2002, for instance, researchers found that those who consumed more radishes in their diet were at a reduced risk for gallbladder cancer. A 2009 study also noted that radishes contain “isothiocyanates,” naturally occurring small molecules that have the capacity to reduce the activation of carcinogens. Though we know that a diet rich in veggies is protective against cancer in general, the radish has certain antioxidants that may be particularly helpful.

May Help With Blood Sugar

The powerful antioxidants in radishes may help protect against high blood pressure. A 2012 animal study found that a radish leaf extract treatment that lasted for five weeks significantly reduced systolic blood pressure. Radishes are a good source of nitrates, which is converted to nitric oxide in the blood—and nitric oxide helps relax the smooth muscle walls of blood vessels so they dilate more freely. Nitric oxide also helps reduce the risk of blood clots.

5 Ways Radishes Benefit Skin

The same properties that make radishes good for your overall health also make them good for your skin. The fact that they help ease digestion, for example, and clear out toxins, can help keep skin clear of microorganisms as well, and may reduce the appearance of acne breakouts.

The raw radish is a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that help nourish, hydrate, and protect the skin from the environment. Some of the benefits of eating it regularly—or even using it topically—may include:

Better Hydrated Skin

The high water content in radishes is good for your skin as well as other body organs, helping to maintain moisture levels. Radishes also contain both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are critical for plumping moisture down in the deeper levels of skin.

Younger-looking Skin

A cup of radishes will supply you with about 30 percent of your daily recommended amount of vitamin C. As you may know, vitamin C is critical for building collagen, which supports the structure of skin, and for protecting from free radical damage. The root also contains vitamin A, which protects from oxidative stress.

Lower Risk of Skin Cancer

Radishes are a good source of “glucosinolates,” which are sulfur-containing compounds found in members of the cruciferous vegetable family (like broccoli). These compounds have significant research behind them showing them to protect cells from genetic mutations that cause cancer. The Linus Pauling Institute recommends five servings of these veggies a week to boost glucosinolate intake.

Fewer Breakouts

If you’re suffering from acne and haven’t found a solution, you may want to try black radish juice or pulp in a homemade mask. Mashed white radishes may also do the trick. The key here is the anti-bacterial property, which can help kill bacteria on the face before it develops into blackheads and pimples.

Radishes also have an astringent property, which can help reduce the appearance of pores. The high water content prevents overdrying. Mix radish juice with a few drops of citrus juice to cleanse skin and reduce acne.
Lighten skin: The vitamin C and A content in radishes, as well as some of its other components, are said to help lighten and brighten skin. Mix with yogurt and honey to create a gentle, moisturizing, lightening mask.

Looking for more ways to get radishes into your daily diet? Try these tips:

• Add them to salads (of course!)
• Julienne them and add to risotto
• Roast them
• Add them to your tacos
• Put them in your coleslaw
• Pickle them
• Add them to your tuna salad
• Snack on them with cream cheese and chives

Did you know radishes were good for skin? Please share any recipes you may have.

Sources:

François Du Port - Treatment of Jaundice

Nutra - Spanish Black Radish Shows Detox Benefits, Support Liver Health: Human Data

Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal, Aromatic & Poisonous Plants Research Center - Gastroprotective Effect of Radish “Raphanus Sativus” on Experimental Gastric Ulcer Models in Rats

Pakistan Journal of Pharmacology - Physics-Chemical Studies of Indige

European Journal of Cancer Prevention - Diet and Gallbladder Cancer: A Case-Control Study

Acta Pharmacologie Sinica - Are Isothiocyanates Potential Anti-Cander Drugs

SF Gate - What Are the Benefits of Eating Radishes

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