What’s our favorite thing about winter? A common answer would certainly be seasonal fruits and vegetables. From fresh cauliflower and carrots to fenugreek and mustard greens – we get a variety of fresh and crunchy vegetables in the winter. Another popular winter product is radish, or we call it ‘shalgam’ in Hindi. This ivory white (with a hint of purple) root vegetable holds a constant place in most Indian kitchens at this time of year. It is very versatile and super easy to cook. You can include radish in salads, soups and also make sabzi with it. In most households in North India, turnips are combined with other winter vegetables – especially cauliflower – to make the popular dish gobhi-shalgam achaar. Besides versatility, this vegetable also contains many essential micronutrients. Radishes are rich in vitamins A, B, C, E and K, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium and other substances that help nourish us from within during winter.
Celebrity nutritionist Lovneet Batra has curated her Instagram to explain more about the benefits of including beets in our daily diet. She elaborates on the benefits of eating radishes and says, “One thing I love about winter is the wide variety of vegetables it offers, of which TURNIP (Shalgam) definitely stands out! Lighter than radishes! beets, are tastier and more versatile than beets.” Her post further reads, “So here’s your turnip 101: The health benefits of beets will make you fall in love with this vegetable. ” Let’s check them out.
Also read: Canadian man breaks world record for heaviest radish growing
Here are five health benefits of beets, according to nutritionist Lovneet Batra:
Reduce your risk of cancer:
Radishes have glucosinolates – phytochemicals – that may help prevent all types of cancer, from breast to prostate.
Hypotension:
Foods that contain nitrates in the diet, such as turnips, can have many benefits for the health of blood vessels. These include lowering blood pressure and inhibiting the adhesion of blood platelets together.
Protect eye health:
Radishes are rich in the antioxidant lutein. This helps keep your eyes healthy and avoids problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.
Soothes intestinal problems:
Radishes are a high-fiber food that may help reduce the incidence of diverticulitis flare-ups by absorbing water in the colon and making bowel movements easier.
Helps with weight management:
Radishes contain lipids that are known to boost your metabolism. It inhibits the accumulation of fat in the body and maintains blood sugar levels.
Now that you know the benefits of radish, we recommend including it in your winter diet for overall benefits. And if you’re wondering how to cook with beets, here we have some great recipes for you. Click here to see some of our favorite beet-based recipes.
Let us know which one you like best.
