Originally from China – it is also very present in Asian cuisines – black radish has been popular in Europe for several years. And that’s good news! This root vegetable from the Brassicaceae family (formerly “cruciferous“) indeed has more than one health advantage under its ebony dress. Low in calories, it is however well provided in potassium (good for the heart), calcium (which promotes bone strength) and folate (or vitamin B9), which are involved in the functioning of the nervous system.
It helps eliminate toxins
The black radish is the friend of lazy livers. “General drainer, it helps eliminate toxins by acting directly on the liver, pancreas and gall bladder, explains Hélène Comlan. “It increases bile secretions and facilitates their evacuation to the intestine, which allows the liver to be purified. In addition, it is rich in sulfur compounds, which gives it diuretic and purifying properties in the kidneys.” Perfect for a detox cure at the end of winter, this concentrate of benefits can be taken occasionally, after a heavy meal for example. Because it is useful in case of difficult digestion, flatulence and bloating. Digestive qualities that have been recognized by Commission E, a panel of German experts who assess the effectiveness of plants in herbal medicine.
It is perfect to fight against winter ailments
Like many crucifers (broccoli, cabbage, kale …), black radish contains glucosinolates, sulfur compounds. The interest? These have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Another asset: its rich in antioxidants (especially vitamin C), which stimulate the immune system and help fight infections. Thus, 100 g of black radish covers 8% of the daily needs. in vitamin C. Finally, it is also an excellent expectorant, useful for clearing the bronchi in the event of a fatty cough.
In what form to consume it then? We make a homemade syrup by alternating, in a jar, slices of black radish and organic brown sugar (same quantity of radish as sugar), leaving to stand for 24 hours then filtering. To relieve the fits, you can take 2 to 4 tablespoons per day of this syrup, which can be kept 48 hours in the refrigerator.
3 express recipes
These recipes are for one person.
- A juice in good shape : peel 1/2 black radish and pass it through a juice extractor with 1/2 bulb of fennel and 1 carrot. Filter to obtain a smooth juice, add the juice of 1/2 a lime and drink well chilled.
- A pan : cooked, the black radish loses its spicy side, which can be interesting for sensitive palates. To taste it in a pan, quickly fry 1/2 black radish, 5 Jerusalem artichokes and 1 small turnip cut into mini-cubes with a sprig of fresh thyme in 1 tbsp. to s. hot olive oil.
- Crunchy canapes : Cut 1 small black radish into slightly thick slices and garnish the top with a mixture of fresh cheese (count 50 g of cheese type faisselle) and aromatic herbs. Add pepper.
Read also :
9 tips to make your diet detox
Infographic: what the detox cure does to your body
