Rapunzel and the radish

We all remember the story of the cobbler's wife who so longed for the neighbour's radishes that she made her husband climb over the wall and steal some for her. The disgusted neighbour turned out to be a witch who made him promise to give her his first born daughter, Rapunzel.

This must be a truly magical vegetable for a woman to go to such lengths to get hold of it, right? Yes, indeed!

Here are a few health properties of radishes:

• Radishes are very high in vitamin C. Having a 100 gram serving (approx. 10 radishes) provides about 25% of your daily recommended vitamin C intake.

• Other micronutrients in radishes include:

• Folate (vitamin B9)

• Riboflavin (vitamin B2)

• Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)

• Potassium

• Magnesium

• Copper

• Manganese

• Calcium

• Just like we saw with beetroot, the leaves of radishes can also be used instead of spinach.

• Having radishes may help some people who are prone to bladder infections and who experience a burning pain with urination. Radishes are natural diuretics and help to purify the urinary system and kidneys and lower inflammation levels.

• Radishes contain a variety of antioxidants i.e. flavonoids (including beta carotene) and sulphoraphane, an antioxidant that has been proven to inhibit various cancers (ovarian, breast, colon and prostate amongst others).

• Radishes are also effective when used in asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory infections. They have antibacterial, antifungal properties.

Thankfully we don't have to climb over walls to get some radishes. Just go to your local fruit and vegetable store and ask them to show you where to find these red, magical wonders.