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Have you heard about horseradish, or have you used it? A spicy, pungent condiment that is generally served with steak and roast beef sandwich, also used for dressings. It is a taste enhancer and a health benefactor. A simple eatable that serves multiple benefits. Whether it is about culinary benefits or the health benefits of horseradish, it does wonders in every aspect. The root of horseradish is the main factor that lies behind the health benefits of horseradish. It is the root of horseradish that releases mustard oils that are made of glucosinolates that are natural compounds known to possess several biological functions which make it a healthy beneficiary vegetable.
What is horseradish?
Horseradish is a long white root vegetable with hairless bright green unlobed leaves and belongs to the Brassicaceae family (also known as the mustard family). Some of the other common vegetables that belong to the same family are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, mustard greens, wasabi, and kale. These are also famous as cruciferous vegetables.
Horseradish is not just a vegetable; it is a multifunctional eatable that is used for different culinary purposes and also used for medicinal purposes due to the health benefits of horseradish. It is not a new addition to the healthy world. It is in use for different culinary and non-culinary purposes since ancient times being native to Russia and Hungary. Though it has a bitter taste and spicy flavor, it is one of the healthiest and most nutritious products to add to your health provider list.
Horseradish – A Nutrient-rich Vegetable
It must be cleared till now that horseradish is one of the healthiest eatables that you can consume. Comprising several minerals and compounds, it is famous for being enriched with great nutritional value. This small vegetable is a big pack of key nutrients, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, dietary fiber, folate, manganese, vitamin C, and zinc.
15 gm of prepared horseradish provides you:
| Calories | 7 |
| Protein | Less Than 1 gm |
| Fat | Less Than 1 gm |
| Fibers | 0.5gm |
| Carbs | 2gm |
| Calcium | Little Amount |
| Potassium | Little Amount |
| Magnesium | Little Amount |
| Folate & Other Micronutrients | Little Amount |
5 Health Benefits of Horseradish – An Allrounder!
Horseradish is a spicy vegetable that is rich in nutrients and various healthy plant compounds that protect against many health problems. Being rich in nutrients and healthy compounds, there are multiple health benefits of horseradish and thus is preferred by many nutritionists and health concerned persons.
#1 May Shields Against Cancer
The root of horseradish releases mustard oils made of Glucosinolates, which are natural compounds known to possess several biological functions. The presence of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates promotes the anti-cancer properties in the vegetable. It may guard you against cancer by restraining the growth of cancer cells in your body and also promotes the death of such cells.
Horseradish also contains other healthy compounds like sinigrin that may also help in combating cell damage that is caused by free radicals that may increase the risk of various diseases in your body, including cancer. Sinigrin acts as an antioxidant that fights against these reactive molecules and prevents you from getting affected by such harmful cell growth in your body.
Some of the studies also reveal that this supplement has compounds that are capable of restricting the growth of colon, lung, and stomach cancer. Also, an enzyme is found in horseradish’s root that aids in activating and anti-cancer compounds that primarily target pancreatic cancer cells in the human body. However, on the one hand, these searches sound very pleasing; on the other hand, these properties still require a proper scientific stamp that proves these health benefits of horseradish true.
#2 Possess Antibacterial Properties
Many studies related to this vegetable recommend that it has a number of antibacterial properties that may prove very advantageous for human beings. Allyl isothiocyanate, the oil that can be drawn from horseradish root, is very powerful and can combat various diseases from cancer to different infections.
Allyl isothiocyanate is competent enough to fight against a wide range of harmful bacterias, including E.coli, H.pylori, Salmonella, and also can kill six types of oral bacterias. Along with killing such bacterias, horseradish released oils are also proficient in restricting chronic nail infections by inhibiting the growth of different types of fungi that lie behind the formation of these infections.
You can say that the oil released from horseradish root named Allyl isothiocyanate has many powerful properties that provide a number of health benefits of horseradish. Still, the exact mechanism of these advantageous properties is not fully researched and proved.
#3 Support Respiratory Health to a Great Extent
Besides having fighting properties for cancer, infections, and other such diseases, there are also some respiratory health benefits of horseradish. After the growth, when this horseradish is exposed to air or heat, it starts losing its pungency and starts getting darken in color, plus develops a bitter taste. Consuming this bitter vegetable may cause a burning sensation to your nose and throat, and this supports cold relieving properties. Horseradish has high sulfur levels, promotes the clearing of the sinus passage, and thus clears out mucus.
This is a great supplement that assists in relieving cold, cough, and sore throat. Even a study revealed that 1000s of people found this vegetable very beneficial in cold and cough. A supplement containing 80 mg of dried horseradish root mixed with 200 mg of nasturtium can work effectively to treat acute sinuses, infections, and bronchitis in a way traditional antibiotics can treat. Such studies and researches may promote respiratory health benefits of horseradish. However, it still requires deeper research that can make these statements 100% reliable and trustworthy.
#4 A Good Friend that Backs up Weight Loss
Yes, there are many health benefits of horseradish because of its antibacterial and powerful compounds. Thus, it is a healthy addition to the eatable list. However, it has one more benefit that also makes it a safe addition to the list of weight-concerned people. It is a beneficial vegetable with a lot of nutrients. However, this is low in calories while high in dietary fiber that makes it absolutely safe for you if you are the one who likes to take care of your weight.
Now enjoy various recipes comprising horseradish without concern about weight gaining as it is not a weight gainer but a friend of yours that know how to take care of you as well your weight. Add a pinch of heat to different recipes, do amazing dressings and draw different advantages of this healthy, nutritious condiment as much as you can.
#5 Assists in Boosting Immunity
Horseradish has a great nutritional value that makes it a healthful pack of advantageous properties. Its powerful antibacterial and antioxidant properties promote a healthy immune system. Also, it comprises high vitamin C content that makes it more beneficial. Vitamin C is one of the necessary nutrients that are essential for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. Hence, horseradish supports the proper functioning of the immune system as well as it contains natural chemicals revving up your metabolism too.
Consuming horseradish stimulates the growth of white blood cells in the body that are known to destroy harmful substances and prevent illness. These are one of the essential parts of the body’s immune system that play a primary role in fighting infection and other diseases.
Other than the benefits mentioned above, there are also some other benefits of horseradish that require more research and proves. One of such health benefits of horseradish is that it has diuretic properties, which imply that consuming this vegetable can promote urination. It helps you to expel toxins from your body regularly and also keep your liver clean.
It can be said that horseradish is a pack of overall healthy compounds and properties that can help you in a way that you may have never thought. It is just; all these properties need more researches.
Culinary Uses – Other Than Health Benefits of Horseradish
It has already been proved that horseradish is a nutritious and healthy vegetable. However, its properties are not just limited to medicinal purposes; it is also a great kitchen additive. This vegetable has a pungent flavor that allows it to complement different kinds of meats, and its peppery flavor makes it a useful addition in making the pungent Japanese wasabi paste. It is one of the common vegetables of Europe.
When it comes to India, besides being used in various dishes, it is also eaten as a salad, and when it comes to the UK, the sauce made from the root of horseradish and vinegar is preferred there with great love. Other than this, it also complements fatty and rich recipes like grilled fish and meat and can also be used for seasoning various dishes.
How can you cook horseradish?
Whenever you go to the grocery store, do not forget to pick horseradish. It is a great taste enhancer that can accompany many food recipes by giving them a pinch of heat. Make sure to grab a fresh piece of horseradish. Already cut pieces will be dried out quickly, so try to avoid them. You may also grow horseradish in your own garden. Now let’s start with the cooking process:-
Ingredients
- A long piece of horseradish
- Water
- White Vinegar
- Salt
Procedure
Step1: Take a vegetable peeler and peel off the top layer of the horseradish.
Step2: Chop the peeled horseradish immediately. Either convert it into larger, coarser pieces or smaller pieces.
Step3: Now, put the chopped horseradish into the food processor and add a couple of teaspoons of water to add. (Be careful while doing this as fresh horseradish is much more potent than freshly chopped onions and can hurt your eyes, keep it away from your eyes).
Step4: Add a tablespoon of vinegar and a pinch of salt to this mixture.
Step5: Transfer the mixture to the jar and keep it in the fridge for 3-4 weeks.
Check out the process in brief here
Learn how poultry seasoning can help in making the dish delicious.
Side effects of horseradish
Though horseradish is a healthy kitchen staple, excess consumption of it can be very harmful too, as like other things. It may lead to stomach ulcers, digestive issues, or inflammatory bowel diseases.
Too much information is not available according to researchers that may tell about horseradish’s side effects and also may clear that too much consumption of it is safe for children and pregnant women or not. Therefore, it is better to contact your dietician if you plan to add this vegetable to your eatable list because of the multiple health benefits of horseradish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1 What does horseradish cure?
Horseradish is generally used as a condiment, but there are many health benefits of horseradish too that make it an ideal product for medicinal purposes. It can be used for its anti-cancer and antibacterial properties and can also diuretic properties that promote urination. It has a great content of vitamin C that makes this vegetable a perfect immune booster, and it also revs up your metabolism. Plus, it supports good respirator health too.
Q2 Can horseradish be consumed every day?
Many health benefits of horseradish make it a healthy consumable, but consuming anything in excess is not good. Therefore, you should avoid eating horseradish every day. Although, the side effects of too much consumption of horseradish are not that much cleared out. But it can still lead to stomach ulcers, digestive issues, or inflammatory bowel diseases. So be careful with its consumption; don’t just drag out with the health benefits of horseradish.
Q3 Who should avoid eating horseradish?
There are some side effects of eating excess horseradish that you should consider. E.g., It can lead to stomach ulcers, digestive issues, or inflammatory bowel diseases. Plus, younger children of about less than four years are suggested not to eat the horseradish as it can cause digestive tract problems, and it is also unsafe to take horseradish from the mouth for pregnant ladies and for the ones who are breastfeeding.
Q4 Is horseradish good for our liver?
Some studies suggest that horseradish can be good for the liver this is because of its diuretic properties, which imply that consuming this vegetable can promote urination that helps you to expel toxins from your body regularly and also keep your liver clean. Other than this, there are many more health benefits of horseradish that make it a good addition to your healthy consumables list.
Q5 Is horseradish a superfood?
Yes, it can be said that horseradish is a superfood. This is because besides serving culinary uses, there are many health benefits of horseradish too because of its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It may fight cancer cells and also can kill various bacterias that may lead to a number of infections. Plus, it promotes a healthy digestive system and respiratory system.
Conclusion
Horseradish is a multifunctional vegetable that serves you multiple benefits. There is a wide range of health benefits of horseradish that brings it into use since ancient times for medicinal purposes. Also, it is a hot and spicy condiment that is a perfect taste enhancer. It can complement different recipes and dishes and can also be used for seasoning and dressing.
This European-based eatable is spreading all over the world to lay out its amazing uses. You can use it as a sauce and use it with curd to garnish different food items; you can use it to accompany your hot and spicy fish and for other such purposes. In addition to this, it is a guilt-free addition to your healthy diet as it does not promote weight gain; rather, it provides a number of health benefits that can make you even more active and stronger.
