8 Health Benefits of Using Horseradish in Food.

 Eight Health Benefits of Using Horseradish in Food. 

The image was taken from Un splash.

This is my post for letter H of the A2Z writing challenge for April, and the letter G is here.  The post introduces the root vegetable horseradish and its use in old cultures and suggests its nutrition and health benefits in including in your foods. 

In this post, I consider the following:

• Introduction and a Peek into the History
• Did you know?
• Nutrition and health benefits
• Cultivation in South Africa
• Experience with horseradish
• Conclusion

Introduction and a Peek into the History.

Horseradish is a root vegetable initially used for medicinal purposes.  Then its pungent and tangy taste made it a choice to provide a potent and spicy relish for cooking, particularly meat and fish items and salads.  It is in the same family as mustard and wasabi and a cousin of Broccoli, Cauliflower and Brussel Sprouts.  

It is said to have originated in Central Europe, where exactly has no conclusive answers, but it was in use for 3000 years for its medicinal benefits.  Egyptians have used it since as far back 1500 BC for medicinal purposes. 

Did you know?

It is not the case if you think it has anything to do with it a horse, as I have.  It got the name not because there is a horse in the roots or because it resembles any part of a horse, or the horse eats it; it is poisonous to the horse to eat.  The horse part of it describes it as large and robust. 

The root has been used in various cultures for medicinal purposes, and the outcome of recent laboratory studies corroborates those benefits.

For the benefit of those readers familiar with Malayalam, it is known as a type of Mullanki. 

Nutrition and health benefits

Nutrition contents

 This tiny root includes:

• Calcium
• Dietary fibre
• Folate
• Manganese
• Magnesium
• Potassium 
• Vitamin C
• Zinc.

Health benefits

1.  Naturally antibiotic

• It has the natural power to kill infectious bacteria and microbes and may help against urinary tract infections.

2.  Boost circulation and clear mucus. 

• It can help to clear cold and sinus blockage and clear out mucus. 

3.  Aid weight loss

• Being low in calories and high in fibre is an excellent way to lose weight because a small portion of recipes can bring enough flavour and taste.

4.  Speeds up metabolism

• Assist weight loss and improves metabolism.

5.  Helps with digestion:

• It triggers the gold bladder to release bile, the critical aspect of the digestive system and keeps your body healthy and fit.

6.  Supports immunity.

• Its strong presence of antioxidants and vitamin C help produce and stimulate the white cell activities crucial to support your body's immunity.

7.  Possess anti-cancer properties

8.  Diuretic qualities.

• It helps urinate and cleanses your body, taking the toxin out.

Cultivation in South Africa.

Horseradish is easy to grow in South Africa.  The details you get here.

Me and Horseradish.

I have known it as an ingredient in the preparation of Ayurvedic oil and others as my father was doing it.  He was using it in its dried form.  And the use was strictly for medicinal purposes.  Now, I know its use has become common in Malayalam cuisines.

Horseradish was unfamiliar to me until the present study about it.  I have seen it at Food Lovers' Market in Cape Town, our regular grocer, but I have yet to try it.  Now I feel a loss.  

I read an article in the Times of India about a type of horseradish called Parsnip, distinct from the kind available in Food Lovers and other literature on it.  This variety I have seen in the Chinese grocer I frequent.  Once, my daughter recommended including it in food.

Conclusion:

Have you come across the use of this versatile root vegetable as a medicine or in cuisines?

This blog is for the letter H in the series of my A2Z blog posts, lasting for the entire month and is part of the A2Z Blog chatter challenge.  To read earlier posts, click on these letters.  A B C D E F G