Medicine in the garden: radishes

Last Modified: June 01, 2023

Nutrition & Recipes

This post was written based on a presentation by Rachel Stohlman, RDN, LD, community outreach dietitian, Parkview Health.

Radishes, with their peppery flavor and crunchy texture, tend to get overlooked at the supermarket. However, you might want to give them another look, as they are packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals and can be a fun way to mix up your daily fruit and vegetable intake. Let's learn more about the benefits of the humble radish, as well as how to prepare them for maximum flavor.

Fruits and vegetables are important components of our diets because they are nutrient-dense foods. That means, when compared to calorie-dense, processed foods, fruits and vegetables provide maximum nutritional benefits in every bite.

Eating produce can have a positive effect on our health. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can:

Data suggests that 9 out of 10 Americans do not get the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables per day, which are:

Radishes are a root vegetable, specifically a taproot (scientific name raphanus sativus), and are part of the Brassica vegetable family along with broccoli and cabbage. They have a long history as a garden staple, having been first domesticated in Asia prior to Roman times.

There are several types of radishes including:

Radishes are easy to grow and can be harvested all year long, depending on the variety. When picking a radish at the store, you want them to be firm, smooth and brightly colored. If the tops are attached, they should be green and fresh.

For short-term storage, remove the radish tops and store them in a container in the refrigerator. Radishes do not freeze well, so to store them longer term, they do best pickled. Daikon radishes have long been pickled in Asian cultures in the form of kimchee, which can be made with radishes and other fermented products.

Radishes really pack a nutritional punch for their size. They contain:

Radishes are often eaten raw and served sliced in salads, but there are many delicious ways to prepare them, such as …

Pair your radishes with avocado, celery, chives, lemon, parsley, pepper, thyme and vinegar. For more ideas on how to prepare radishes or other ways to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, browse our Pinterest for inspiration.