Regular Consumption of Radish Benefits Health
Radish is a common vegetable during winter. Every 100 grams of radish contains 0.8 grams of protein, 0.1 grams of fat, 0.6 grams of dietary fiber, 4 grams of carbohydrates, trace amounts of vitamin A, 0.03 mg of vitamin B1, 0.06 mg of vitamin B2, 1 mg of vitamin E, 18 mg of vitamin C, 178 mg of potassium, 60 mg of sodium, 56 mg of calcium, 0.3 mg of iron, 0.13 mg of zinc, 34 micrograms of phosphorus, plus enzymes such as amylase and oxidase needed by the human body. Regular consumption of radish benefits health.
Radish also has medicinal value. In the Ming Dynasty medical text *Compendium of Materia Medica* by Li Shizhen, it states: “Radish tastes sweet and pungent, non-toxic, resolves food stagnation, detoxifies alcohol, and disperses blood stasis.” Eating radish aids digestion, regulates qi, transforms phlegm, stops coughing, promotes urination, and supplements deficiencies. Medical research shows radish has certain anti-cancer properties. Its dietary fiber enhances the phagocytic ability of macrophages against bacteria and cancer cells, boosting the body’s anti-cancer capacity. The amylase in radish breaks down carcinogenic nitrosamines, thus preventing cancer. The interferon inducer in radish inhibits viral infection, activates natural killer cell activity, and suppresses malignant tumors. Raw radish juice stimulates upper digestive tract cells to induce interferon, thereby reducing the risk of digestive tract cancers.