A root plant, which has many names - Japanese radish, Chinese radish, bailobo - and belongs to the cabbage family, is popularly known as daikon. The benefits and harms of the product are evaluated differently depending on the application. But in most cases, this root crop will give good health to someone who will eat it regularly for food, although there are some contraindications.
Daikon: product brief
The birthplace of this product is East Asia. It was here that the first wild-growing daikons appeared. The main distinguishing features of this root crop:
- a pleasant taste is ensured by the absence of mustard oil in the composition, unlike ordinary radish;
- peculiar aroma;
- low calorie content;
- unique mineral composition.
If translated from Japanese “daikon”, then this word means “big root”. In Russian literature, there are such names of this product as “mule”, “sweet radish” or “white radish”.
Daikon is characterized by high productivity: several crops can be harvested throughout the year. This is due to the vegetative method of reproduction. The daikon grows up to 60 cm (sometimes more) in length, and sometimes weighs more than a kilogram.
Nutritional value of the product
Many beneficial substances and trace elements are present in a product such as daikon. Benefit and harm, their ratio is determined precisely by its nutritional composition. In the white radish contains the following components, which are especially appreciated by nutritionists:
- vitamins: C, beta-carotene, group B;
- minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium, copper, sodium, iodine, selenium, chromium, phosphorus, iron);
- protein and protein compounds - lysozyme, characterized by antiseptic properties;
- volatile - have an antimicrobial effect, increase the body's resistance to a different kind of harmful fungi and bacteria, infectious diseases;
- antioxidants - are indispensable in the fight against a disease such as atherosclerosis (they also cleanse the body’s blood vessels of cholesterol, make them more elastic);
- fiber - helps cleanse the body of various contaminants and toxins;
- isoyordanic acid and ether prevent the development of cancer;
- the lack of fat in the daikon makes it an ideal product for people who follow a variety of diets.
In 100 gr. This root crop contains only 21 calories. Therefore, daikon is perfect as a main product on fasting days.
Daikon application
This root crop is widely used in cooking. The mild taste and pleasant peculiar aroma make it a versatile vegetable in comparison with its relatives radish and radish. Russian cuisine prefers mainly only daikon salads. And in Japan, for example, there are much more recipes from this product: pies stuffed with this vegetable, kimchi (pickled (salted) daikon for the winter in aromatic spicy spices). Soup from this root crop is also popular here. It is served with meat, fish, stew with seafood.
In dietetics, daikon has also found its application. The benefits and harms to health, their ratio, of course, is determined by the doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of each organism. A daikon diet is prescribed strictly by a doctor, since this vegetable has a number of contraindications.
In alternative medicine, this root crop is also actively used. Its composition has a beneficial effect on human health:
- cleanses the liver and kidneys, removes stones and dissolves sand;
- actively fights with respiratory and other infectious diseases;
- accelerates wound healing;
- helps to cleanse the skin from acne;
- prevents the development of cancer in the body;
- eliminates the symptoms of a hangover;
- increases appetite;
- activates the digestive system.
Daikon: benefits and harms, recipes
In Japan or China, there are many ways to make daikon. The benefits and harms, given the composition of this root crop, are obvious, so it would be nice for every housewife to have in reserve several recipes from this vegetable.
It should be noted that daikon is delicious in any form. It is eaten raw (salads), stewed with other vegetables, baked, boiled, fried. But nevertheless, it is better to use this root crop without subjecting it to heat treatment, since a high degree destroys vitamin C, useful for the body.
White Radish and Carrot Salad Recipe
Thinly cut daikon and carrots (in equal strips), season with special sauce. To prepare it, you need to take 15 ml of vinegar (rice), 5 ml of oil (sesame), 5 ml of sauce (soy) and a pinch of sugar. Mix everything thoroughly and season salad with this mixture . Lettuce should be insisted for several hours in the refrigerator.
Daikon and meat salad
Cut boiled meat into thin strips. Raw daikon grate. Cut eggs and onions into small cubes. Season the salad with sour cream or mayonnaise.
Daikon: benefits and harms, terms of cleaning and storage
This root crop is very useful, despite some contraindications. And even in such cases, doctors recommend using daikon, but along with other products. For example, dilute its juice with water so that it is not so saturated, and then you can drink such a drink for people with digestive problems. Since the harm of the vegetable is so insignificant, this root crop is very popular among the population.
Daikon has the following advantages:
- unpretentious when grown;
- has a delicate peculiar taste and aroma;
- stored for a long time;
- helps to get rid of many ailments.
Daikon is grown in the same way as ordinary radish. Harvesting is carried out approximately 80 days after it was landed in the ground. It is necessary to store the root crop in tightly closed boxes with sand.
This vegetable is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 4 weeks.
Contraindications to the use of daikon
Not all people can eat vegetables such as daikon. The benefits and harms of it, based on the composition, are obvious, but still there are some contraindications to the use of such a root crop:
- gastrointestinal problems (gastritis, ulcers and other diseases), since the organic acids contained in daikon cause stomach irritation and flatulence;
- kidney disease
- gout.
For a variety of daily diet, a vegetable such as daikon is perfect, the benefits and harms of which are obvious: the presence of a large amount of nutrients and a minimal list of contraindications. This root crop is an excellent tool for maintaining the health of the body!