Daikon vs. Turnip — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

by Elen Khachatrian | Last updated on November 02, 2022

Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

Summary

Turnips are richer in minerals, and vitamins, contain less saturated fats and are cheaper than daikons.

On the other hand, daikons contain less sodium and lower calories, saturated fats, and sugars than parsnips. The glycemic index of daikon is also lower.

Table of contents

Introduction

What’s The Actual Difference?

Nutrition

Vitamins

Minerals

Glycemic Index

Calories

Carbs

Fiber

Health Impact

Diabetes

Anti-inflammatory effects

Side Effects

References

Introduction

In this article, you can find the differences between daikon and turnip and their impact on your health.

What’s The Actual Difference?

It is easy to confuse daikon with turnip because they both have similar tastes and coloring. Daikon and turnip are both root vegetables in the cabbage family.

However, daikon is a radish, not a turnip. The main difference between the daikon and the turnip is that the turnip is generally smaller than the daikon. Daikon tastes like red radish; it contains more water than the turnip. Turnip has a slightly milder taste than daikon.

Both daikon and turnips can be eaten in various ways: baked, boiled, fried, sauteed, roasted, steamed, and grilled. They can be easily added to a healthy diet.

Nutrition

Below, you can find the nutrition infographics that visually show the differences between raw daikon and raw turnip.

Vitamins

The vitamin content of turnip is higher than that of daikon.

Turnip contains more Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin B6.

On the other hand, daikon contains more Vitamin K and folate.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Daikon

Turnip

Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K	+200%
Contains more FolateFolate	+86.7%

Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1	+100%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2	+50%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+100%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5	+44.9%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+95.7%
Contains more CholineCholine	+52.1%

~equal in Vitamin C ~21mg

~equal in Vitamin A ~0IU

~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg

~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg

Minerals

Daikons are richer in minerals than turnips. They contain more iron, magnesium, potassium, and copper. Daikons are also lower in sodium.

However, turnips are richer in calcium, phosphorus, and zinc.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Daikon

Turnip

Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium	+45.5%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium	+18.8%
Contains more IronIron	+33.3%
Contains more CopperCopper	+35.3%
Contains less SodiumSodium	-68.7%

Contains more CalciumCalcium	+11.1%
Contains more ZincZinc	+80%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus	+17.4%
Contains more ManganeseManganese	+252.6%

~equal in Selenium ~0.7µg

Glycemic Index

Daikon is considered low glycemic food. The glycemic index of turnip is two times higher than that of daikon. The GI of turnip is equal to 73, whereas the GI of daikon is equal to 32.

Calories

Daikon has 18 calories per 100g, while a turnip has 28 calories per 100g. Both are considered low-calorie foods.

Carbs

Both vegetables have low-carb content. Daikon has 4.2 g of carbs, whereas turnip has only 6.43g.

Fiber

Daikon contains 1.6g of fiber per 100g, while a turnip has 1.8g.

Health Impact

Diabetes

Daikons contain glucosinolate and isothiocyanate chemical compounds that may help regulate blood sugar levels. Daikon contains coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that may help block the formation of diabetes [1].

In a 9-month study of rats fed a high-sugar diet, treatment with 45 mg of turnip extract per pound of body weight reduced blood sugar levels while increasing insulin levels compared to the control group [2].

Anti-inflammatory effects

Turnip glucosinolates degrade into indoles and isothiocyanates, both bioactive byproducts with anti-inflammatory properties.

Arvelexin, a type of indole found in turnips, has been shown in studies to block pro-inflammatory compounds such as nitric oxide, a free radical involved in the inflammation process [3].

Side Effects

Daikon is thought to be a relatively safe vegetable. However, daikons may not be suitable for people who have gallstones. Cooking and increasing selenium intake can reduce the risk of harmful effects in people with impaired thyroid function [4].

If you have thyroid problems, it is best to avoid eating turnips because they contain compounds that can affect the thyroid gland and interfere with hormone function [5].

References

Author name: Elen Khachatrian

Education: Nutrition & Microbiology at YSU

Last updated: November 02, 2022

Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

Infographic

Infographic link

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Daikon

Protein: 0.6 g

Fats: 0.1 g

Carbs: 4.1 g

Water: 94.62 g

Other: 0.58 g

Turnip

Protein: 0.9 g

Fats: 0.1 g

Carbs: 6.43 g

Water: 91.87 g

Other: 0.7 g

Contains more ProteinProtein	+50%
Contains more CarbsCarbs	+56.8%
Contains more OtherOther	+20.7%

~equal in Fats ~0.1g

~equal in Water ~91.87g

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Daikon

Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 0.03 g

Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 0.017 g

Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.045 g

Turnip

Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 0.011 g

Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 0.006 g

Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.053 g

Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat

+183.3%

Contains less Sat. FatSaturated Fat	-63.3%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat	+17.8%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.


Lower in Saturated Fat
Lower in price
Rich in vitamins
Lower in Sugar
Lower in Sodium
Lower in Glycemic Index
Lower in Cholesterol	Equal
Rich in minerals	Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient			Opinion
Calories	18kcal	28kcal
Protein	0.6g	0.9g
Fats	0.1g	0.1g
Vitamin C	22mg	21mg
Net carbs	2.5g	4.63g
Carbs	4.1g	6.43g
Magnesium	16mg	11mg
Calcium	27mg	30mg
Potassium	227mg	191mg
Iron	0.4mg	0.3mg
Sugar	2.5g	3.8g
Fiber	1.6g	1.8g
Copper	0.115mg	0.085mg
Zinc	0.15mg	0.27mg
Phosphorus	23mg	27mg
Sodium	21mg	67mg
Vitamin E	0mg	0.03mg
Manganese	0.038mg	0.134mg
Selenium	0.7µg	0.7µg
Vitamin B1	0.02mg	0.04mg
Vitamin B2	0.02mg	0.03mg
Vitamin B3	0.2mg	0.4mg
Vitamin B5	0.138mg	0.2mg
Vitamin B6	0.046mg	0.09mg
Vitamin K	0.3µg	0.1µg
Folate	28µg	15µg
Choline	7.3mg	11.1mg
Saturated Fat	0.03g	0.011g
Monounsaturated Fat	0.017g	0.006g
Polyunsaturated fat	0.045g	0.053g
Tryptophan	0.003mg	0.009mg
Threonine	0.025mg	0.025mg
Isoleucine	0.026mg	0.036mg
Leucine	0.031mg	0.033mg
Lysine	0.03mg	0.036mg
Methionine	0.006mg	0.011mg
Phenylalanine	0.02mg	0.017mg
Valine	0.028mg	0.03mg
Histidine	0.011mg	0.014mg

Which food is preferable for your diet?

Low Calories diet

Low Fats diet

Low Carbs diet

Low Glycemic Index diet

is better in case of low diet


Low Calories diet
Low Fats diet	Equal
Low Carbs diet
Low Glycemic Index diet

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Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).

Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score

10%

11%

Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

12%

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?

Turnip is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 0.019g)

Which food is cheaper?

Turnip is cheaper (difference - $0.2)

Which food is richer in vitamins?

Turnip is relatively richer in vitamins

Which food is lower in Sugar?

Daikon is lower in Sugar (difference - 1.3g)

Which food contains less Sodium?

Daikon contains less Sodium (difference - 46mg)

Which food is lower in glycemic index?

Daikon is lower in glycemic index (difference - 41)

Which food contains less Cholesterol?

The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (0 mg)

Which food is richer in minerals?

It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.