17 Amazing Benefits Of Black Radish For Skin, Hair, And Health

For centuries, this root vegetable has been popular for its rejuvenating properties.

Reviewed by Nilofar Pendhari, Certified Clinical Nutritionist
Written by Tanya Choudhary, B.Desgn, ISSA Certified Specialist In Fitness & Nutrition
Edited by Ravi Teja Tadimalla, BSc, Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition and Health
Fact-checked by Himanshi Mahajan, BSc (Life Sciences), Certified Health & Nutrition Life Coach  • 

While you must be familiar with the commonly found white radish and its many culinary preparations, are you aware of black radish benefits? Yes, there is a black Spanish radish variety as well! While the color might not seem that appealing, its many health benefits in itself should be enough for you to give it a try! To help you get familiar with this not-so-popular kind of radish, we have done all the research and summed it up in one page for you! Read on to know more about black radish, how it can benefit your health, and the various ways you can include them in your diet!

protip_icon Know Your Ingredient: Black Radish

What Is It?
A root vegetable that belongs to the Brassicaceae family.

What Are Its Benefits?
It may boost liver function, cure scurvy and colds, improve digestion, and aid in overall skin and hair health.

Who Can Consume It?
Anyone who is not allergic can consume it.

How Often?
It can be consumed daily in moderation.

Caution
It may cause digestive discomfort and allergic reactions such as hives.

Black Radish Benefits For Skin

From detoxifying our body to blessing one with flawless beauty, the black radish can truly do wonders for our skin. Check out some of its benefits:

1. Improve Overall Skin Health

A clean internal system is the first thing that we need to get bright and healthy skin. If your blood is full of impurities, your skin reflects it clearly. Black radish can be of great help to you in such a situation. Being a rich source of Vitamin-B complex, zinc, phosphorus, etc., it works as an effective blood purifier and eliminates all sorts of toxins as well as waste materials from our body (1). As a result, our overall skin health is improved to a large extent.

2. Possess Youthful Skin

Black radish boasts of having plenty of natural antioxidants (2). It contains a high level of Vitamin C which is crucial for our skin to fight against aging. Apart from this antioxidant vitamin, there are a number of other compounds present in this root vegetable that are extremely powerful in restraining the oxidization within our body. Therefore, regular consumption of black radish juice can help us get rid of harmful free radicals and thus, possess youthful skin.

3. Removes Unattractive Marks

If you are tired of those ugly blackheads, black spots, acne marks and blemishes on your face, black radish juice can be the perfect solution for you. Its anti-oxidative property prevents the breakout of acne, pimples, blackheads, etc. and reduces all unattractive marks caused due to various skin infections. Regular use of black radish juice on the affected areas can give you amazing results within a few days. Face packs made with black radish pulp can also help lighten the skin tone and get glowing skin.

Black Radish Benefits For Hair

Woman with healthy hair from black radish
Image: Shutterstock

Dying to get long and strong hair with zero problem of dandruff or stickiness? Black radish can exactly be the remedy that you are looking for. Find out below how it can help you:

4. Reduce Hair Fall Significantly

Hair loss is one of the most common issues around the world these days. But if you drink a glass of black radish juice every day, you can combat this successfully. This wonderful vegetable is capable of stimulating our hair roots, which eventually enhances the circulation of blood throughout our scalp. It is essential for proper nourishment of the hair. In addition, each and every hair shaft gets stronger through it. All these result in less hair fall as well as the growth of new hair.

5. Get Rid Of Excessive Dryness Or Oiliness

Black radish can also be used for treating excessive dryness or oiliness of the scalp. If you are suffering from too much dandruff, start applying black radish juice today. It would provide necessary nutrients to your hair and your scalp as well. Conversely, if you are facing greasiness of the scalp due to excess secretion of the sebum glands, go for a black radish hair mask. It would control the secretion of sebum and give you long and lustrous hair.

Black Radish Uses For Health

Woman making salad in the kitchen
Image: Shutterstock

The white flesh of these black-skinned vegetables is highly beneficial for our health. Here are the ways you can take advantage of this item:

6. Boost The Function Of The Liver

Our liver is the most vital organ of the body and black radish can help us boost its functions to a great extent. The flesh of this vegetable holds several vitamins (Vitamin B1, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, etc.) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, etc.), which facilitate the flow of bile and keep our internal system healthy at the same time. Hence, include black radish in your diet as much as possible and keep your liver healthy (3).

7. Get Rid Of Cold And Cough

According to anecdotal evidence, the magical power of black radish can also be used to treat chronic cold and cough. Just take out a slice from the upper part of the vegetable and put some sugar in the flesh. Now place the ‘cap’ in its initial position and leave it for the night. The juice that will come out of the flesh in the morning is excellent for healing infections of the respiratory system.

8. Cure Hyperthyroidism (Graves’ Disease)

The over secretion of the thyroid gland, popularly known as ‘hyperthyroidism’ or ‘Graves’ Disease’, can also be cured with black radish. The major sulfur compound of the vegetable named ‘raphanin’ plays a key role in regulating the secretion of our thyroid glands. Therefore, regular consumption of black radish may help us stay away from hyperthyroidism  (4).

9. Regulates Cholesterol

Woman cooking food in kitchen
Image: Shutterstock

One of the best medicinal uses of radish is that it actively participates in the circulation and metabolism of fat in the body. It makes the liver functional and active. This triggers fat circulation and metabolism. The liver absorbs cholesterol before it gets deposited in the adipose tissues and arterial walls. It filters the impurities and processes the fat further. The process keeps on repeating. This eliminates fat accumulation. Thus, it reduces cholesterol formation, decreasing the risk of a heart attack and improving heart health.

10. Improves Digestion

As mentioned above, black radish is a wonderful detoxification agent. It also clears toxins from the stomach. This ensures that the PH level of the stomach is maintained. Moreover, it is also rich in fibers. Fibers ease the process of digestion. Additionally, it improves the bile function that leads to improved digestion. As a result, the overall digestive rate of the body improves.

11. Cures Bloating And Acidity

It nullifies the effect of free radicals with its high dose of fresh antioxidants. It makes the gut, intestines and abdomen toxin free. As a result, acidity reduces. Hence bloating is eased with the consumption of black radish naturally.

protip_icon Trivia

In ancient Egypt, black radishes were frequently utilized for culinary and medicinal purposes. They were commonly provided to workers constructing the pyramids to sustain and improve energy levels.

12. Cures Cold

Black radish is exceptionally rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants make this miracle food an amazing anti-inflammatory agent as well. Its powerful anecdotal formula clears the chest off congestion. It also eases the mucosal passage through nose and throat. Hence, it is an amazing ailment against a cold.

13. Helpful In Stones Removal

Woman in pain due to kidney stones sits and holds her stomach
Image: Shutterstock

Black radish is a natural remedy against stones in kidney and gallbladder. It also eases the pain caused due to stones. It increases urination. The diuretic properties of black radish are put to play and increased urination cleans the kidney and gallbladder off the stones and stone dust.

14. Cures Scurvy

Scurvy is caused in humans due to a deficiency of vitamin C. Black radish is a rich source of vitamin C and it possibly treats scurvy with ease and causes no side effects upon consumption. It also makes the bones stronger. It is known to treat joint inflammation as well.

15. Increases Mental Alertness

Black radish is an amazing source of potassium and magnesium. These two minerals are required to maintain the chemical balance in the brain. They are active components of the electrolytic solution. Hence, black radish becomes a supplement of these essential minerals to the body and brain. As a result, the electrochemical balance of the brain is restored. It increases mental alertness. Magnesium and potassium are memory chargers as well. Thus, they improve mental concentration.

16. Controls And Regulates Thyroid

Woman holding her neck due to sore throat
Image: Shutterstock

This is one of the best black radish medicinal uses. The thyroid is a lifelong syndrome caused due to an imbalance in thyroid hormones. It needs lifelong medication. Black radish is rich in Raphanin. Raphanin is a natural enzyme that regulates the secretion and production of thyroid hormones. As a result, this miracle food can be used as a preventive remedy against hyper/hypothyroidism. It is also known to offer relief to the patients suffering from hyper/hypothyroidism.

17. Anti-Cancerous Benefits

Black radish comes loaded with the goodness of antioxidants. This makes it an amazing anti-cancerous remedy. Antioxidants keep a check on the free radical formation in cells and tissues. This keeps cell division and functioning under control. Hence, it reduces the risk of cancer.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that black radish might also help with weight loss and boost the immune system. So, just include black radish juice in your breakfast or add a few pieces of black radish to your daily diet. You will be able to see the difference within a few days.
Stay healthy and beautiful always!

protip_icon Quick Tip

Black radish can be consumed raw or cooked in stews and soups.

You can add black radish to your daily diet to reap its benefits. Wondering how? The following recipe can be a good start.

Black Radish Recipe

Creamy Black Radish Soup

Black radish soup
Image: Shutterstock

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter or olive oil
  • 1 medium-sized white onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium black radishes
  • 1 medium-sized russet potato, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon of horseradish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of crème fraîche or sour cream

Instructions

  1. Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Sauté the onion for about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the potato, salt, radishes, pepper, and water to it.
  4. Boil the soup and lower it to medium-low heat.
  5. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat.
  6. Add the horseradish and crème fraîche to a food processor and blend until smooth.
  7. Garnish with grated radish.

Infographic: Top 5 Health Benefits Of Black Radish

Black radish is one of the most underrated vegetables and is packed with numerous health benefits. It is enriched with vitamin C, vitamin B complex, and minerals like magnesium and calcium, making it a super healthy food. In the infographic below, we have listed the top 5 health benefits of consuming black radish. Take a look.

top 5 health benefits of black radish(infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Black radish is a root vegetable that is high in nutrition. It is also known as black Spanish radish and is slightly larger than the traditional varieties. The many benefits of black radish can be attributed to its dietary fiber and other vitamins and minerals. Black radish may improve overall skin health, remove black spots, reduce hair fall, treat oiliness of the scalp, boost liver function, treat chronic cold and cough, regulate thyroid gland secretions, and decreases the risk of heart disease. Include black radish in your diet and enjoy its benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat black radish raw?

Yes. You can add it to your salads, make noodles from it, or mix it in sauces and have it.

Is it OK to eat radish every day?

Yes. Consuming moderate amounts of radish every day can help boost your skin, hair, and overall health in many ways.

Is radish good for reducing high uric acid levels?

Radish is good for those with high uric acid levels as it contains less uric acid compared to other plant foods (about 30mg/100 g of uric acid) (5). However, information on the ability of radish to reduce uric acid levels is lacking.

Key Takeaways

  • Black radish helps ease bile movement and keeps our liver functioning at its best.
  • Drinking black radish juice can stimulate hair growth.
  • Black radish is anti-oxidative, which helps fade dark spots on our skin.
  • It can treat colds and coughs. It also helps in relieving respiratory issues.
black radish benefits

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover the amazing health benefits of black radish! Learn how to use this nutrient-rich vegetable to improve your health in this helpful video. Check it out now!

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Radish (Raphanus sativus) and Diabetes
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5622774/
  2. Antioxidant effect of squeezed juice from black radish (Raphanus sativus L. var niger) in alimentary hyperlipidaemia in rats
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16161062/
  3. Black Radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. niger) Extract Mediates Its Hepatoprotective Effect on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Injury by Attenuating Oxidative Stress
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30067118/
  4. Effect of radish (Raphanus sativus Linn.) on thyroid status under conditions of varying iodine intake in rats
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16924836/
  5. Uric acid in plants and microorganisms: Biological applications and genetics – A review
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5512154/
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