A widespread root crop is known to every inhabitant of our latitudes. Radish ripens quickly, has a bitter taste and since childhood has been advertised by adults as a product of extraordinary utility. Is it so - let's understand together.
Calorie and chemical composition
White root vegetable low calories - Only 21 kcal per 100 g of product. It contains 1.4 grams of protein, 4.1 grams of carbohydrates and no fats. However, radish and beneficial vitamins and minerals: there is retinol (vitamin A), a group of vitamins B, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), biotin, phytoncides, sodium, the content of potassium is very high, there is magnesium, phosphorus, calcium. Also contains mustard oil and essential oils. 
How useful white radish for the body
The most well-known useful feature of the product - help in the treatment and prevention catarrhal diseases. Radish has a beneficial effect on the immune system, has an antiviral effect due to the high content of vitamin C and phytoncids. Pay attention that the root crop needs to be eaten raw for achievement of the maximum effect.
Did you know? It's funny how controversial the root vegetable we are discussing here today. On the one hand, radish is an incredibly useful product, its influence is noticeable to the naked eye. Here, even in ancient Greece, this amazing vegetable often turned out to be a bowl of offerings to Apollo, and in ancient Egypt it was as far as available, which was considered a feed crop - they were fed slaves.
Also, the use of this vegetable has a positive effect on:
- the appearance of hair, nails and skin (vitamin A, vitamin B7);
- stability and performance of the nervous system (vitamin B, magnesium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus);
- balanced blood sugar (vitamin B, magnesium);
- strengthening bones and teeth (calcium, phosphorus);
- normalization of metabolism (vitamins of group B, potassium);
- normalization of heart rhythm (potassium);
- maintaining the pH and normal functioning of the digestive tract (sodium);
- support of the muscular system (vitamin B7, sodium, calcium, phosphorus);
- removal of toxins, heavy metals (magnesium);
- normalization of water-salt metabolism (potassium, sodium).
Due to the content of vitamin B7 (synonymous with vitamin H or biotin), radish is very useful for children. Vitamin is involved in cellular metabolism, the removal of toxins from tissues, in cell synthesis. In general, biotin is surprisingly useful. It is established that the vitamin has insulin-like activity, which is why it is recommended for use in diabetes. Affects the central and peripheral nervous systems, muscle tissue. Useful for epilepsy, mycosis.
Read also about the beneficial properties and the use of radishes in folk medicine.
Usage features
Radish and its juice are very useful for maintaining the body. However, they can be used both internally and externally. In particular, compresses help with radiculitis and rheumatism. Rub a grated vegetable and put on a sore spot. Cover the compress with a warm towel or handkerchief, placing parchment or paper, if necessary.
During pregnancy
Is it possible to eat this root during pregnancy - a moot point. On the one hand, it is a useful root crop, and besides biotin is involved in the production of new cells. On the other hand, some components of the product enhance the generation of sex hormones, as well as the activity of the uterus, which, if overused, can cause miscarriage.
Sure to consult a doctor! And, in any case, do not lean on the product before delivery. 
Breastfeeding
But in the period of lactation, radish is not just possible, but also highly desirable. All its beneficial substances will be passed on to the baby along with the mother's breast milk. At the same time, the side effect in the form of impaired uterine tone no longer carries any threat. Some mothers begin to give radish (with small doses) to babies already with the first complementary foods. How much it is necessary in this particular case - it is better to ask the doctor.
When losing weight
White radish, like daikon, - product dietary, cheap and very diverse in use. That is why it is so popular among those who want to lose weight. And all would be nothing, just do not forget that in this root completely no fat and little protein.
Learn more about growing daikon.
Regardless of your beliefs, fats, proteins and carbohydrates are absolutely important to everyone. So do not be too attracted by the diet. Use radish for weight loss only as a component of the diet or as an emergency short-term remedy. 
With diabetes
Radish is good and useful in particular the fact that you can eat not only the root vegetable, but also the tops. This should especially please patients with diabetes, because it is in the leaves of this vegetable that it contains the concentrate of all the beneficial vitamins and minerals, macro- and microelements. Plant improves digestion, has an antiseptic effect, improves the functioning of the heart and removes cholesterol from the blood vessels.
Also, in case of diabetes, it is also useful to eat the fruits of a vegetable. Use of tops is similar to other representatives. Cabbage family: add to salads, soups, use as greens in other hot and cold dishes.
The Cabbage family includes all kinds of cabbage (white, red, Savoy, kohlrabi, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, romanesco), arugula, mustard.
How to use in cooking
Like any root vegetable, you can stew radish, fry, bake, boil, but it is better to eat it fresh. First, in this way beneficial substances are preserved. Secondly, the unusual savory taste of the vegetable will be excellent accents in various snacks, salads. 
During seasonal flu epidemics, buy radish during the offseason and make it salads, cut to the main dish or simply rub with butter and salt and eat as a snack. Such a budget, simple and tasty course will allow you to avoid the traditional spring and autumn cold without buying expensive medicines and dietary supplements.
Important! For therapeutic purposes, it is better to take black radish - it is stronger in terms of treatment. However, if children are to be treated, or you have some complaints about the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and liver, then nevertheless it is better to opt for white. It is sweeter and softer both in taste and in effect.
The darker the radish, the more volatile, and, hence, bitterness in it. Radish Daikon - the most tender taste of this vegetable. That is why it is easiest for children to use it. By the way, they make desserts from the root, such as marmalade, jam, and also add to fruit salads.
White radish with cough honey: a recipe
There is one interesting way to deal with a cold:
- We take a large and, preferably, a round radish. Cut off the "cover" and make a recess in the core.
- In the resulting container pour honey, close the "lid" and leave for a day. Please note that honey should not be poured to the very top, as juice will still be extracted from the vegetable.
The resulting mixture of honey and juice eaten by 1 tsp. 3 times a day. Helps cough, relieves sore throat. Some patients also report a general improvement in the condition of the body.
Also, the vegetable can be mixed with milk, as well as the juice and pulp of beets, sea buckthorn, raspberries.
Important! The most effective treatment will be a large adult root vegetable. In young vegetables, as a rule, the concentration of useful components is still too low, so the treatment of young radish requires a much longer course.
Almost exactly the same preparing syrup:
- Washed and peeled fruit rubbed on a grater.
- Squeeze the juice into a separate container.
- To the resulting juice add liquid or melted honey to taste.
It is better to take lime or flower honey. From buckwheat bitter taste only intensifies. The resulting mixture is used as a sweet syrup: in tea, for bread and just like that. Just do not get carried away much - you should not eat more than 2 tbsp per day. l for an adult.Read also about the cultivation of radishes, black radish and Chinese radish lobo, as well as fodder oilseed radish.
Contraindications and harm
No matter how useful a product is, it often has side effects and contraindications.
So, if you overdo it with eating a vegetable, among side effects bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea possible. In sensible quantities, the root crop has a beneficial effect on the intestines, however, if eaten excessively, it can stimulate the development of ulcers and gastritis. Also, if you have problems with your kidneys and liver, you should first consult with your doctor.
By the way, with ulcers of the digestive tract, there is a radish, in principle, not worth it. Since the plant has mustard oil, it makes it impossible for people with allergies to mustard to use it. 
Expensive health treatment only. Act on the warning - do not allow colds, using, among other things, radish for their prevention. Perhaps, from such an easy correction of the daily diet, your health will start to delight you a little more.
