White Radish

 

The white radish is called “Chinese radish” in the West, which is a common vegetable to every Chinese.

 

The white radish is the most important vegetable for making various dishes, especially in the winter in northern China, and normally used as the main fillings to the dumplings. 

 

When I was a child, my mother often made radish soup for me to drink. Before making the fillings for dumplings, she normally cooked radish in water for a while and asked me to drink it. I didn’t like it because of its flavor. But mom said, “It’s good for your health. You won’t catch a cold if you drink it.”

 

I did so and rarely catch a cold, even in the periods of flu. 

 

Eventually, I became used to the radish soup, just like adapting many other foods, and gradually it has become my dietary habits.

 

When I became older, I found out that most parents did the same as my mother with the radish soup to their children. It is just common knowledge.

 

I learned the knowledge of food practice from my mom, such as white radish, ginger ( please refer to the article Ginger) and many other foods. I got to know more about the characteristics of different foods in balancing the body and keeping healthy.

 

Food functions as medicine. This is the essence of traditional Chinese food ideology and methodology, inherited for thousands of years.

 

The White radish is also called little ginseng.  Research shows that 95% of the white radish is water, containing only 18 calories per 100 grams. It has a lot of dietary fiber and digestive enzymes inside.

 

The strong flavor of white radish comes from the antioxidant sulfur compound - glucosinolate, which plays a role in the medical functions.

 

The white radish has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, it can effectively reduce the symptoms of colds, fever, runny nose and coughing, and can reduce sputum and relieve asthma.  

 

The white radish can promote the human digestive system and improve bowel movements. It also has detoxification and cancer prevention effects. 

 

In addition,  white radish can enhance the immune function of the human body and improve the defense system of the body from diseases.

 

White radish can be used in many ways. For example,  it is usually cooked either alone or with other vegetables or meat. It can also be made raw for salads. 

 

If you prefer less pungent flavors, peel them first. Alternatively, you can stir fry or add to a pot to make a radish soup.

 

Why don’t you try this amazing white radish to your diet?