Daikon - useful properties and contraindications

Surely the ancient inhabitants of East Asia could not even imagine that a wild daikon plant could once become a real treat. But over time, this happened due to the fact that in Japan they managed to produce many varieties that differ significantly from each other not only in taste, but also in size and shape.

Interesting Facts

Translated from Japanese literally, this sonorous word means "big root", and the plant refers to a variety of radish, which is called Japanese or Chinese.

One of the most popular varieties, which are included in many original dishes, mainly salads, is aokubidaikon. On the shelves of shops you can recognize it right away, since it looks very much like carrots in shape, only the external difference of the daikon is that it is white, thin and much longer. The weight of this variety reaches 5 kg, but root crops of much lower weight are usually sold.

And the most unusual is sakurajima. How can one not recall the fairy tale about the turnip, which was pulled from the earth by both people and animals. This variety really resembles a very large turnip, the length of which can be more than two meters, and a record weight of up to 50 kg. But the most appetizing fruit is not exceeding 45 cm.

It turned out that daikon is not a whimsical plant at all, and it is easy to grow it not only in Asia, but also in Russia and other European countries. Therefore, the root crop in our time is not a wonder, actively used in cooking. But since it contains a lot of useful substances, it is also popular in folk medicine.

What is useful contains a white root

1. First of all, a lot of vitamins are hidden in the Japanese radish. First of all, this is a whole group of vitamins B and beta-carotene. If you eat 300 grams of daikon, the body will receive a daily dose of vitamin C. By the way, this is especially true for those who smoke a lot - they have a constant lack of this vitamin. The combination of these vitamins has a positive effect on the nervous system, helps a good concentration. Therefore, before exams or during intense responsible work, it is advisable to include a daikon salad on the menu.
2. The calcium salts contained here help to quickly get rid of the accumulated toxic substances with urine.
3. There is enough calcium in daikon to normalize hair growth, and have healthy teeth, nails and bones if you have white turnips every day.
4. Traditional medicine offers freshly squeezed daikon juice to drink before you go to bed. Then the dream will be long and calm.
5. You can clean the kidneys and liver with a daikon.
6. Doctors have long recognized that there is a small category of vegetables that dissolves kidney stones. This is daikon, horseradish and radish. But only Japanese radish is the most sparing vegetable, because, unlike horseradish and radish, it does not have those mustard oils, because of which there is an acute taste in vegetables. Therefore, people who have problems with the digestive system, choose daikon for treatment.
7. Colds are treated for a long time, but if daikon combined with honey is included in the treatment, recovery will come faster thanks to protein substances that actively inhibit the growth of bacteria.
8. Studies have shown that daikon can contribute to the removal of radiation from the human body. The presence of antioxidants in the vegetable prevents oxidation of active chemical compounds directly in the cells of the body.As a result, the risk of developing various diseases associated with exposure to people of chemical, radiation and bacteriological factors is reduced.
9. Daikon contains potassium, therefore, included in the daily diet, prevents diseases of the cardiovascular system and the development of atherosclerosis.
10. As a diet dish, daikon is useful for people who have diabetes, and those who have significantly impaired intestinal microflora. The juice of this vegetable is able to affect the pathogenic flora, suppressing it, but dysbiosis does not occur.
11. Heals daikon wounds. For treatment in this case, compresses are used. Grated slurry is applied until the wound is healed.
12. They use the “white root” of a woman when they want to get rid of freckles and strengthen their hair. For this, lotions, masks, rubbing, in which daikon is present, are used.
13. In daikon there are enough phytoncides, due to which: there is protection against various infections and digestion improves.

For digestion, the root crop is also useful in that it accelerates the digestion of products with a high starch content due to active enzymes. Fiber, enzymes and pectins contained in it contribute to the good work of the stomach.

Restrictions on the use of root crops

Daikon brings a lot of benefits to a person, but still, if eaten in large enough quantities, it can be harmful. This is because the vegetable:

1. Contains a large amount of essential oils. Frequent use of the vegetable will ultimately lead to irritation of the delicate intestinal mucosa. The consequences will be various digestive pathologies. For example, flatulence, a constant feeling of heaviness in the stomach, increased production of gastric juice.
2. The nervous system will worsen, and an unreasonable feeling of irritability, as well as a sleep disorder, may appear.
3. It contains fiber, which in too large doses begins to adversely affect digestion.
4. It can provoke a miscarriage in a pregnant woman, affecting the work of smooth muscles.

Contraindications daikon

1. It is not recommended to eat daikon for those people who have chronic diseases of the stomach, kidneys, 12 duodenal ulcer, gout, if there is an impaired metabolism.
2. It will be necessary to exclude daikon from the diet for those who experience heartburn or allergic manifestations due to the vegetable because of hypersensitivity to it.

How to store root vegetables

To keep the daikon for a long time and not spoil, you need to take into account its variety. Fruits grown in the summertime will not be able to be stored for a long time, will quickly deteriorate, will be tasteless.

To save daikon for a longer time, varieties are required to choose more stable, winter ones, be sure to free them from tops, wash, dry and then only place in a cold place in which the temperature regime is from 0 to 5 degrees Celsius. Vegetables are stored only in a dark place, the sun's rays are harmful to them. Poor effect on their conservation and low humidity, it should be a high percentage.

If root vegetables are kept in the cellar, they are placed in boxes of approximately 20 cm height. For better preservation, sprinkle with sand, laying first in layers. It is acceptable to store this vegetable with carrots. Periodically, you need to check the safety of the daikon, since rodents really like it. If damaged fruits are found, they must be removed immediately, checking the condition of those nearby.

If a balcony is chosen for storing a vegetable, it must be insulated, otherwise frost will immediately destroy it. Daikon should in this case be wrapped in a dense plastic wrap.

Daikon has some advantage over other vegetables.Its enzymes are activated closer to spring, and when the remaining fruits have already lost their useful substances, daikon leads as a source of vitamins and mineral components.

Daikon culinary features

They like to use daikon in various dishes due to the fact that it has a great taste and no bitterness. You can prepare the simplest salad by rubbing the root and seasoning it with vegetable oil or any sauce. And you can, as they cook in China, bake a pie, or, as in Japan, put in a soup, as well as pickle, dry or boil.

Most often, the root crop itself is consumed fresh. He has a very delicate taste. But its green leaves are also actively used in salads and other snacks. They can be fried and stewed. Daikon is very harmoniously combined with many products, so you can cook many delicious dishes with it. But you need to rub it immediately before serving, because after processing, after a few hours, it will lose many useful properties.

Video: what daikon is useful for