What Not To Cook With Daikon!

Foodpairing with purpose® for White Radishes

White radishes (also known as Daikon radishes) are native to East Asia and have been cultivated for centuries[i]. They can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled[ii] and are popular in many dishes. While their peak season is fall through winter, white radishes are available year-round[iii].

A History of White Radishes

In China and around the Mediterranean Sea, radishes have been cultivated for thousands of years. One of the most ancient of plants, they were a common food in Egypt even before the pyramids were built[iv].

There are several different varieties of daikon radishes, with many of these differences dependant on which region in which they were grown and harvested[v].

It is unknown if these vegetables originated in China or the Mediterranean, but they made their way to China, Japan, and Korea sometime during the third or fourth century and are now a mainstay in many types of Asian cuisine[vi]. Two big reasons for their popularity is because are very versatile and have many health benefits.

White Radish Health Benefits

It helps regulate your heartbeat, ensure that your muscles and nerves are functioning correctly, and synthesizes protein and while metabolizing carbohydrates.

As mentioned, there are many benefits to white radishes. Firstly, they are high in folate[vii] which is important for red blood cell formation as well as for healthy cell growth and function[viii]. This vitamin is important for all people, but it is especially critical for those who are pregnant or likely to become pregnant. This is because folate helps prevent birth defects in babies.

Daikon radishes are also high in potassium[ix]. This nutrient is needed for the normal functioning of all cells[x]. It helps regulate your heartbeat, ensure that your muscles and nerves are functioning correctly, and synthesizes protein and while metabolizing carbohydrates. Potassium intake can help maintain a healthy blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke.

White radishes are also high in magnesium[xi], which is crucial for heart health, can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and even improve your mood[xii]. Magnesium also has anti-inflammatory benefits, and it can help people who have chronic inflammation.

Another important benefit to eating white radishes is that they are an excellent source of vitamin C[xiii]. There are many benefits to vitamin C and it is a very important vitamin for the human body.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant. This means it protects your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are produced when your body is exposed to toxins, such as smoke, radiation, or other situations[xiv]. These free radicals can damage DNA, increasing your risk of conditions such as heart disease and cancer[xv].

Vitamin C also provides support to a healthy immune system[xvi]. It is important for the for the growth and repair of body tissue and helps heal wounds and maintain healthy bones, skin, teeth, and cartilage.

Vitamin C also promotes healthy aging. Since your body does not produce vitamin C on its own, you need to get it from your diet.

This is why eating foods such as white radishes is so important. Eating them alongside certain other foods can boost their benefits and improve your health.

White Radish Food Pairings

While white radishes have many health benefits on their own, at Foodpairing with Purpose, we aim to provide you with the information you need to get the most from foods by pairing them with other foods to maximize their benefits.

Here are some powerful combinations that will complement white radishes and improve health.

White radish + seaweed

o Antioxidants keep your immune system strong and working properly. Both white radishes and seaweed contain vitamin C and vitamin E[xvii], which help your immune system by fighting off the effects of free radicals[xviii].

o Therefore, if you have a cold or other illness, this combination can be very powerful.

White radish + tofu

o Both tofu and white radishes have good amounts of fiber[xix], which makes this combination good for digestion[xx].

o Since both of these foods are very nutrient dense, they can give you a lot of the nutrition your body needs without bloating.

White radish + pork

o Grass-fed free-range pork has good levels of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids[xxi] while white radishes contain a good amount of magnesium. Both nutrients have anti-inflammatory properties.

White radish + brown rice

o Like white radishes, brown rice has high levels of magnesium, which is important for heart health[xxii]. Both are also good sources of dietary fiber, which helps with digestion.

Try this recipe to enjoy a warm soup in the cold winter.

Daikon Spareribs Soup with Seaweeds

Makes 2 - 3 servings

Ingredients:

¼ lb Spareribs

1 stalk Green onion,

2 slices of Ginger

1 small white radish, cut into ½” slices

Salt and pepper to taste

6 pieces Seasoned seaweed, cut into small pieces

Steps:

1. In a 2 quarts stockpot, add spareribs, green onion, ginger slices, and white radish slices.

2. Simmer over medium low heat for 1 to 2 hours until spareribs are tender.

3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Sprinkle with seaweed and serve.

What not to pair with White Radishes?

While there are many benefits to eating white radishes, there are some combinations that should be avoided.

White radish + mushrooms

o Eating white radishes and mushrooms together can cause epidermatitis.

White radish + carrots

o While white radishes are high in vitamin C, carrot lose vitamin C when cooked[xxiii]. Therefore, cooking the two together can lower the vitamin C content of the entire dish.

References: [i] Delighted Cooking, Retrieved 2022 November 13. “What Is a White Radish?” https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-a-white-radish.htm [ii] The Spruce Eats. Retrieved 2022 November 13. “What Is Daikon Radish?” https://www.thespruceeats.com/chinese-white-radish-daikon-694717 [iii] Specialty Produce. Retrieved 2022 November 13. “Daikon Radish” https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/Daikon_Radish_744.php [iv] Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved 2022 November 13. “Radish” https://www.gov.nl.ca/ffa/files/agrifoods-plants-pdf-radish.pdf [v] Devour Asia. Retrieved 2022 November 13. “Daikon is a White Radish Native to China and Japan” https://devour.asia/daikon-is-white-radish/ [vi] Gardener’s Path. Retrieved 2022 November 13. “How to Plant and Grow Daikon” https://gardenerspath.com/plants/vegetables/grow-daikon/ [vii] Nourish by WebMD. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “What Are the Health Benefits of Daikon Radishes?” https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-health-benefits-daikon-radishes [viii] Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “Folate (folic acid) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-folate/art-20364625 [ix] Healthline. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “What Is Daikon Radish, and What Is It Used For?” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/daikon-radish [x] Harvard University. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “The importance of potassium” https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-potassium [xi] Eat This Much. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “Daikon Radish” https://www.eatthismuch.com/food/nutrition/daikon-radish,759635/ [xii] Healthline. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “12 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Magnesium” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/magnesium-benefits [xiii] Eating Well. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “What Is Daikon and How Can I Use It?” https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7631118/what-is-daikon-and-how-can-i-use-it/ [xiv] Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “Vitamin C” https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-c/art-20363932 [xv] Very Well Health. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “Free Radicals: Definition, Cause, and Role in Cancer” https://www.verywellhealth.com/information-about-free-radicals-2249103 [xvi] Eat Right. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “How Vitamin C Supports a Healthy Immune System” https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/types-of-vitamins-and-nutrients/how-vitamin-c-supports-a-healthy-immune-system [xvii] WebMD. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “Health Benefits of Seaweed” https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-seaweed [xviii] WebMD. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “Starve a Cold, Feed a Fever?” https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/starve-cold-feed-fever#1 [xix] NDTV. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “10 Health Benefits of Radish: The Power Source of Potassium, Vitamin C and Fiber” https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/10-incredible-radish-benefits-the-power-source-of-potassium-vitamin-c-and-fiber-1397076 [xx] Healthline. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “What Is Tofu, and Is It Healthy?” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-tofu [xxi] Prevention. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “The 10 Best Anti-Inflammatory Foods To Keep On Hand” https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a20500170/10-best-anti-inflammatory-foods/ [xxii] WebMD. Retrieved 2022 November 14. “Brown Rice: Health Benefits, Nutrition Facts, and How to Prepare It” https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-brown-rice [xxiii] Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences . Retrieved 2022 November 14. “Estimation of Vitamin C in Carrot Before Cooking and After Cooking” https://article.sciencepg.com/html/10.11648.j.jfns.20160404.16.html