The world around us is created from a harmonious combination of good and harm. And the main task of a person is to distinguish where a plus awaits him, and where is a minus. First of all, it concerns nutrition - a process that directly affects the state of physical and even mental health. After all, often the wrong diet, eating the wrong foods, is fraught with many disorders of a different nature. In our article we will discuss one of the most useful food - radish. Consider what is the beneficial effect of this vegetable on the human body, especially its use in cooking and even in cosmetology.
Calorie and nutritional value
Radish - is, first of all, a godsend for those who want to lose weight, because it has an extremely low calorie content: a hundred grams of the product is only 15 kilocalories. As for the nutritional value of this healthy vegetable, 100 grams of root vegetables are rich in proteins (2 grams), carbohydrates (6.7 grams), fiber (2.1 grams). Relatively small in the composition of radish fat - only 0.1 grams. 
Did you know? Radish is so popular in France that in many countries it is even called French radish.
Vitamins, macro and micronutrients
The radish is a real inexhaustible storehouse of vitamins. Such a small, inconspicuous, at first glance, vegetable has a very rich chemical composition. Often we eat this product only in spring. But if we take into account the impressive stock of micro and macro elements, we can conclude that it is necessary to use salads from radish almost every day. Radish is rich in vitamins C, B6, B9 (folic acid), B2 (riboflavin), magnesium, potassium, copper, calcium, manganese, nicotinic, salicylic acid, pantothenic acid, thiamine, choline.
Find out what makes radishes good and how to grow them.The fact that such a small root vegetable contains a reserve of flavonoids, food indoles, zeaxanthins, lutein, beta-carotene is also impressive. Radish is used as a prophylactic agent of oncological diseases. The secret of the healing properties of root vegetables lies in the presence of a useful antioxidant compound sulforaphane in their composition. This substance is able to contain inflammation in the colon, ovaries, mammary glands.
Did you know? In Mexico, this vegetable is so popular that every year they spend here a kind of art festival "Radish Night" in the town of Oaxaca. The essence of the holiday comes down to the fact that everyone who wants is trying to cut out and compose various figures from this vegetable.
Body benefits
Balanced composition of the root - a source of benefits for the human body. If you eat this vegetable regularly, you can be sure: your organs and systems are in safe hands. Thus, micro- and macroelements present in the vegetable, contribute to the normalization of metabolism, improve appetite, eliminate toxins from the body, strengthen the immune system. 
Pantheic acid contributes to the formation of erythrocytes, and, accordingly, proper blood formation. The cellular composition of the radish is the key to the successful functioning of the digestive system and intestinal peristalsis, painless defecation. The enzymes contained in root vegetables, endow the vegetable with powerful antiseptic properties.
Important! This vegetable is an excellent antiseptic. Radish juice is used in compresses necessary for the healing process of purulent wounds.
Men
Especially valuable is the use of radish for men who abuse alcohol and cigarettes. The benefits of vegetable consumption is that the enzymes in its composition, contribute to the rapid elimination of toxins. Consumption of radish will also help reduce the symptoms of a hangover. The main symptom of hangover is severe headache.
For men, it is useful to eat walnut, cardamom and horseradish.Radish juice will help to get rid of it quickly and efficiently. Radish is also useful in that it is a prophylactic agent for oncological diseases. These diseases are particularly relevant for older men and they attack, most often, the digestive system.
Important! Remember: radishes, in the first place - food, not medicine. Yes, it will help eliminate and overcome the symptoms of disease, but, only in combination with qualified treatment.
Women
In women's circles, radish root vegetables are known not only as the main component of spring salads, but also as an instrument to combat those extra pounds. Vegetable will free a woman’s body, like men, from cholesterol, thus preventing the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. It will positively affect the cardiovascular system, and help prevent varicose veins. Vitamin reserve of this product will help improve immunity and protect against respiratory diseases. 
The main life rule of a woman is to always look perfect. But an obstacle on the way to its realization in life is often acne and pimples, which are pretty hard to get rid of. Consumption of radish salads will help to achieve the cherished perfectly clean skin, since this product helps to cleanse and restore the activity of the sebaceous glands. Also, radish juice - a means of anti-aging.
Did you know? The radish was not left unattended by the Guinness Book of Records commission. The record was grown by an Israeli farmer Nissan Tamira. The weight of the vegetable was 10 kg.
Usage features
Despite the huge number of advantages, to use radishes should be approached with caution and take into account some of the nuances.
When growing radish, you can also face some problems, the occurrence of disease or the invasion of pests.
During pregnancy
Healthy pregnant women can safely eat salads with radishes. Vegetable does not just do no harm, but also provides the body of the pregnant woman with necessary vitamins and trace elements (in particular, folic acid). But it is not recommended to abuse radishes, women in the position. First, it concerns future mothers who are predisposed to uterus tone. Essential oils contained in this root, can improve tone, which is fraught with the threat of abortion. 
Important! Excessive consumption of radish can lead to increased gas formation, which is a very undesirable symptom during pregnancy.
During lactation
The chemical composition of radish promotes milk production in the body of a nursing woman. But you should not blindly cling to this fact and abuse the vegetable, because the amount of milk does not indicate its quality. The fact is that if the mother is too keen on radish dishes, then the child can experience colic and flatulence, therefore, it is necessary to introduce a vegetable into the diet gradually.
When losing weight
For women, whose main dream of life is the cherished model parameters, radish will become a real find, as it will help to rationally organize a diet without harm to the body. Product enzymes break down fats without problems and remove excess moisture from the body.
Important! Women who watch their body shape and nutrition should remember that radish contributes to an increase in appetite.Nutritionists say that if you organize a diet using radish salads, you can not just lose weight, but also improve metabolic processes, clean the body of toxins, and normalize the gastrointestinal tract robot.
With diabetes
The main advantage of radish is a low glycemic index, only 15 units. The consumption of radish foods for food practically does not appear on the level of glucose in human blood, since the root crop contains natural insulin, which will contribute to the normalization of blood sugar levels.
In case of diabetes, take marigold, Jerusalem artichoke, turnip, yucca, blueberry, white acacia, viburnum, creeping couch, dogwood, stevia, currant, cactus, orange, apricot, green onions, blueberries, beets, parsley, Chinese cabbage, aspen, chaff, and purple carrot.
From what age can children
Pediatric doctors recommend eliminating radishes from a baby’s diet before they reach the age of two. 
How to choose when buying
The best radish for consumption is one that is distinguished by a smooth surface structure. Root vegetables must not be damaged or cracked. One of the main requirements for radishes is its juiciness. To buy juicy root vegetables, it is necessary to carefully consider the examination of their appearance. Sluggish and friable fruits are not recommended for use, as they were probably kept for a long time, and, accordingly, do not differ in expected benefits.
Cracks in the radish root vegetables indicate that the vegetable suffered from a lack of moisture, and therefore will be different stiffness and bitterness. It is not recommended to be seduced by the large size of radish and to choose a vegetable precisely by this criterion - large fruits are often hollow. It is best to give preference to medium-sized fruits, which are advised to buy with tops, because it contributes to the fact that the roots remain fresh longer. But at home, the foliage must be cut so that it does not pull out the vitamin reserve from the fruit.
Important! To get involved in too early radish is not recommended. It is possible that the early root crops were grown in greenhouses using a large amount of nitrates, which can harm the human body.
How and how much can be stored in the refrigerator
The shelf life of radishes may depend on the variety of the plant and how you intend to store the product (whole or sliced). The duration of storage of radishes in the refrigerator is several weeks. Early and medium grades are recommended to be used within 10-15 days, late ripening stored longer. 
As for the storage of radishes in the cellar, or basement, at a temperature of + 2 ... +3 ° C, it does not waste its qualities and presentation even for 2 months. Regardless of the place of storage, it is worthwhile to ensure that damaged, rotten, or diseased units do not get to the roots, as they will provoke the rottenness of the entire lot.
Important! It is not recommended to freeze the radish, because its composition contains a large amount of water, which, when frozen, turns into ice. Accordingly, after defrosting, the product will completely lose its crunchy texture and taste.
How is used in cooking
Radish is an integral part of various tasty and healthy dishes. Interestingly, it is practically not subject to any kind of thermal processing. Fruits can be eaten as they are with salt and pepper, they will perfectly complement the vegetable platter. Radish is a popular component of various salads, cold okroshka, borscht, and other healthy dishes. It is used as a filling for pies.
Caring for black radish.Radish root vegetables are well combined with other vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers). An excellent companion of radish are eggs, dairy products. Many people refuse to eat radish due to the fact that it has a bitter taste, which is explained by the presence of mustard oils in its composition. It is possible to get rid of this supposedly “deficiency” by peeling the fruit from the peel and placing it in salted water (1 tablespoon salt / 2 l water). But, it should be remembered that along with bitterness and skin, many useful substances will go away.
Use in traditional medicine
Useful vitamin composition of radish provoked the fact that the vegetable is widely used not only in cooking, but also in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases.
With anemia
If the radish grows without the use of chemicals, then it is a good way to combat anemia, since it helps to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
With headaches
It turns out that getting rid of a headache is easy. And for this you do not need a bunch of different pills. All you need is radish root vegetables, more precisely, their juice. This juice is necessary to lubricate the lobes of the temples and the area of the nose. A few minutes after the procedure, the pain will disappear. 
With a cold
The vegetable is rich in phytoncides, and this suggests that it has antibacterial properties. It can be used both as a prophylactic against respiratory diseases and during cold to speed up the healing process. Rich vitamin reserves of root crops can strengthen the human immune system.
Important! In order to treat colds, traditional healers advise you to prepare a medicine that should include radish juice, onion juice, and honey in the same dosage. Take this medicinal mixture advise 20 ml 3 times a day.
When pain in the joints compress
Suffering from joint pain and radiculitis, traditional healers recommend making a compress from the frayed flesh of the fetus. Compress attach to the sore spot and keep as you can endure. If a strong burning sensation begins, the compress should be removed, since it is possible to damage the skin. 
With diarrhea
It is contraindicated to use radishes for diarrhea. On the contrary, it is useful for constipation. To eliminate such an unpleasant problem, it is necessary to prepare an infusion of radish leaves. To do this, you need 1 tbsp. l crushed tops, which must be poured a glass of boiling water. After the mixture lasts 1 hour, you can drink it. Taking this medication should be carried out 20 minutes after a meal.
How can be used for cosmetic purposes
Not everyone knows, but radish is popular in cosmetology. The main thing - to choose for this environmentally friendly and fresh root vegetables.
Moisturizing lotion
For the preparation of this tonic will need:
- 15 ml of radish juice;
- 5 ml of almond oil;
- 100 ml of mineral water.
Refreshing mask
A refreshing radish mask will give your face skin lightness and elasticity, remove fatigue from it, relieve puffiness, and saturate with oxygen. This tool is like a light peeling, because it helps to remove dead skin particles from the dermis. To prepare the mask, you must mix crushed radish, a sprig of parsley and 1 tsp. rye flour. It is necessary to slightly steam the face skin using a hot compress, then apply the mask itself, hold for 15 minutes and rinse. The procedure should be carried out once a week.
Whitening mask
Most women dream of a healthy and radiant skin. Cosmetics made, among other things, on the basis of an ordinary radish, can give such an effect.
Did you know? In Europe, the radish appeared thanks to the famous traveler Marco Polo, who brought her seeds from China at the end of the XIII century.For the preparation of a whitening face mask, you will need crushed radish, a tablespoon of kefir and 1 tsp. white clay. Components must be thoroughly mixed and massage movements applied to the skin after washing. After 10 minutes, the mask must be washed off. The procedure is carried out 5 times a month.
Cleansing mask
It will help to cleanse the skin, rid it of acne and blackheads, a mask made from radish juice, ground on a coffee grinder with a teaspoon of chamomile, and 1 tsp. coffee grounds. All this is thoroughly mixed. The skin of the face should be washed with micellar water, then apply a natural cleansing mask. The procedure time is 8 minutes. It is necessary to repeat it up to 6 times a month. 
Contraindications and harm
Using all the healing gifts of radishes is not given to everyone, because there is a category of people to whom this vegetable is absolutely contraindicated. So, it is forbidden to eat radishes for people suffering from ulcerative diseases of the digestive system, as well as diseases of the kidneys, liver and gallbladder. The fact is that due to the bitter taste and sharpness (a consequence of the content of mustard acid in the composition) exacerbations can begin in patients. Also, it is not recommended to use radish if you have endocrinological problems. Cyanogenic glycosides that are present in the composition of root crops can provoke the emergence of goiter.
Important! Before use, the radish must be thoroughly washed with running water, as there may be many infections on the surface of the fetus that can provoke intestinal diseases.It is not recommended to buy radishes, which are packed in vacuum bags. Such roots often attract to themselves a bright seductive color. But you can not be seduced by such a bait. Under vacuum conditions, radishes can be stored for a very long time, and a long shelf life suggests that the roots have lost their beneficial properties and accumulate calories, starch and fiber, which can harm the digestive system after consumption. Essential oils in radish roots can provoke diseases of the duodenum, pancreas, kidney, stomach, gall bladder, liver. As you can see, such an inconspicuous, at first glance, vegetable, like radish, can not only deliciously diversify the diet, but also become an original remedy - provide your body with healthy substances, vitamins and microelements. In addition, radish is a good cosmetic, scrubs and facials with which will help to eliminate unpleasant skin problems.
