One of the basic vegetables in the Moroccan Couscous recipe which we eat once a week in the North African ( Berber ) culture. This way we make sure we get these amazing health benefits that Turnips offer. I even love its smell when it's being cooked and the texture it gets later when done.
Turnips are starchy vegetables belonging to the Brassicaceae family which also includes cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts etc. Though we usually refer to the bulbous roots as turnips, their sprouts and leaves are also edible and highly nutritious, and are used in European, Asian and Eastern American cuisines.
I collected these info about Turnips benefits below together with recipes to make delicious low carb meals with them on my Cooking Pinterest Board.
I collected these info about Turnips benefits below together with recipes to make delicious low carb meals with them on my Cooking Pinterest Board.
Health Benefits of Turnips:
1. Cancer Prevention:
These cruciferous vegetables contain high levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals, which reduce the risk of cancer. Presence of glucosinolates prevents as well as reduces the effect of cancer. These are natural plant chemicals that break into two compounds while digesting i.e. indoles and isothiocyanates. They help the liver process toxins, fight the effects of carcinogens and can inhibit the growth of tumor cells. Inclusion of this vegetable in your daily diet can reduce the risk of breast cancer as well as colon and rectal tumors (2).
2. Cardiovascular Health:
Turnips possess great anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of large amount of vitamin K. These help in preventing heart attacks, heart strokes and other heart ailments. Turnip greens aid in digestion by absorbing more amount of bile which uses up the cholesterol present in the body. This results in the reduction of cholesterol. Turnips are also excellent sources of folate, which further helps to boost up the cardiovascular system (3).
3. Bone Health:
Turnips are an important source of calcium and potassium which are vital for healthy bone growth and maintenance. Regular consumption of turnip inhibits joint damage, risk of osteoporosis and the incidence of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is also an excellent source of calcium, a mineral that supports the body’s production of connective tissues (4).
4. Lung Health:
The carcinogens present in cigarette smoke cause vitamin A deficiency, resulting in lung inflammation, emphysema and other lung problems. The vitamin A contained in turnip greens helps in maintaining healthy lungs by counteracting this defect (5).
5. Aids in Digestion:
The high fiber content in turnip greens supports the body’s digestive system (6). Research has proved that glucosinolates may also help the stomach process bacteria like Helicobacter pylori.
Too many free radicals in the body cause oxidation of bad cholesterol and clumping of platelets in our body, thus leading to atherosclerosis, a condition that damages the blood vessels. Vitamins E, C and beta carotene in turnip roots and greens are excellent antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body. Thus, regular consumption of turnips prevents the development and progression of this condition (7).
7. Treatment of Common Ailments:
The curative power of turnips is beneficial in preventing several common illnesses such as lack of hunger and hemorrhoids. Regular consumption of turnip can even cure kidney stone if it is small enough (8).
8. Beneficial for Weight Loss:
The anti-inflammatory properties of turnips can be attributed to their high content of vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant. These properties are effective in curing asthma and curbing the symptoms of asthma. Studies have proved that giving turnips to asthmatic patients can lessen wheezing.
9. Cures Asthma:
The anti-inflammatory properties of turnips can be attributed to their high content of vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant. These properties are effective in curing asthma and curbing the symptoms of asthma. Studies have proved that giving turnips to asthmatic patients can lessen wheezing.
10. Prevents Body Odor:
Body odor is a common problem, particularly in the summer months. Turnip juice is quite beneficial in getting rid of body odor. Drinking turnip juice is generally good for health and also helps to avoid body odor (10).
11. Strengthens the Immune System:
Turnip root plays an important role in the proper functioning of the body’s immune system (11). The beta-carotene content in turnips helps the body in producing healthy membranes.
12. Eye Health:
Turnip greens are a rich source of lutein, a carotenoid that promotes eye health and prevents ocular diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts (12).
13. Benefits of Antioxidants:
Turnips are rich in antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, manganese and beta-carotene (13). The roots are particularly rich in vitamin C whereas the leaf-greens are full of all these antioxidants. They also contain complex phytonutrients which stimulate antioxidant activity, thus increasing their ability to combat free radicals and preventing DNA damage to cells.
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