Horseradish vs Radish - Health impact and Nutrition Comparison

Summary

In summary, horseradish is richer in sodium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, and folate. Although radishes are also a good source of vitamin C. Radishes are richer in water and have fewer calories. They have various beneficial effects on overall health.

Introduction

Horseradish is a root vegetable that has a pungent taste and odor. It is mainly used in the culinary world as a condiment but can also be used for cooking.

Throughout old cultures, horseradish was famous for its medicinal purposes. Till today it is used as an ingredient in alternative medicine.

It originated in southeast Europe and western Asia, but it is found almost everywhere throughout the world.

Radish is also a root vegetable that has a pungent taste and odor. However, radish is not used as a condiment; instead, it is mainly used as a crunchy vegetable added to salads or eaten by itself.

Radish was mostly found in the Asian continent; however, now it is spread worldwide like horseradish.

In this article, we will discuss the nutritional data, dietary usage, and health impacts of horseradish and radish.

Nutrition

The comparison between horseradish and radish is based on 100g of each. It is important to note that horseradish is composed of 85% water, and radish is composed of 95.3% water.

Calories

Horseradish and radish are both categorized as low-calorie foods. Still, there is a difference between them, as horseradish is higher in calories compared to radishes.

Carbs

Horseradish has higher amounts of carbohydrates compared to radish. In turn, carbs are divided into sugars and fibers. The fiber content of horseradish is higher than that of radish. The fiber content of horseradish covers 9% of the required daily intake.

The sugar content is also higher in horseradish compared to radish.

Fats

The fat content of both is negligible.

Proteins

Both horseradish and radish are low in protein. They provide up to 2% of the daily required value.

Glycemic index

Horseradish and radish are categorized as low glycemic index foods. Although there is a difference between them, it is not entirely relevant. The glycemic index of horseradish is 35, whereas the glycemic index of radish is 32.

Vitamins

Horseradish is richer in vitamin C and folate compared to radish. It is important to note that radishes are a great source of vitamin C and folate; however, they have less vitamin content than horseradish.

Vitamin Comparison

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

Horseradish

5

:

4

Radish

Contains more Vitamin E +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +68.2%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +52%

Contains more Folate +128%

Contains more Vitamin A +250%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +50%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +62.5%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +77.4%

Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.071

Equal in Vitamin K - 1.3

Horseradish

Radish

Contains more Vitamin E +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +68.2%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +52%

Contains more Folate +128%

Contains more Vitamin A +250%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +50%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +62.5%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +77.4%

Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.071

Equal in Vitamin K - 1.3

Minerals

Horseradish is richer in sodium, calcium, and magnesium compared to radish.

The sodium content of horseradish is nearly 18% of the required daily value. In this case, it is important to take into consideration sodium intake.

Mineral Comparison

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

Horseradish

7

:

1

Radish

Contains more Calcium +124%

Contains more Iron +23.5%

Contains more Magnesium +170%

Contains more Phosphorus +55%

Contains more Zinc +196.4%

Contains more Copper +16%

Contains less Sodium -90.7%

Equal in Potassium - 233

Horseradish

Radish

Contains more Calcium +124%

Contains more Iron +23.5%

Contains more Magnesium +170%

Contains more Phosphorus +55%

Contains more Zinc +196.4%

Contains more Copper +16%

Contains less Sodium -90.7%

Equal in Potassium - 233

Weight loss and diets

Horseradish and radish are low carbs and low-fat foods. They are ideal to consume during weight loss regimens.

Keto

Given that horseradish and radish are low on carbs, they are ideal foods on keto diets.

Horseradish has an advantage over radish due to its higher content of fibers.

Radish, on the other hand, can be an alternate use of potato. Some keto recipes consider radish as one of the main ingredients of the dish.

Vegan

Since both are plants, vegans can easily consume them in vegan diets without any issues.

They both can provide extra flavor and texture to dishes.

Miscellaneous diets

It is recommended to eat radish by people who suffer from high calcium oxalate levels in urine and calcium oxalate kidney stones. Radish affects solubilizing the calcium oxalate crystals and excreting them from the body in urine.

Health impacts

Health benefits

Inflammation

Horseradish and radish extracts have anti-inflammatory effects that have a similar effect compared to NSAIDs, like aspirin or ibuprofen. (1) (2)

Antioxidant

Horseradish extract has antioxidant effects; they function in scavenging oxidants and superoxides. These oxidants and superoxides are causative agents of many diseases, including cancer. (3)

On the other hand, radishes have high antioxidative properties. These are attributed to their bioactive elements that fight off oxidation generated by the disease. (4)

Cancer

Horseradish extract has antimutagenic effects meaning that whenever there is a mutation in the DNA that induces cancer, horseradish extract has proven to eliminate the oxidative agents that cause that mutation and have direct antimutagenic effects on the DNA. (5)

On the other hand, radish, specifically radish leaves, have anti-tumor effects that induce apoptosis of cancer cells; (programmed cell death of cancer cells). (6)

Cardiovascular health

Radishes have positive effects on cardiovascular health. As previously mentioned, they reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which prevents blood vessel damage. In addition, it reduces blood pressure since it has anti-hypertensive properties. (7)

On the other hand, horseradish has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, decreasing the risks of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Diabetes

Radish has an anti-diabetic effect, and it firstly regulates the absorption of dietary glucose. In addition to this, it has regulatory effects of hormonal regulation of blood sugar balance. (8)

Reflux

Radish has an alkaline pH which reduces reflux in people who suffer from acidic reflux and heartburns.

Downsides & Risks

Reflux

Although horseradish has an alkaline pH, it would induce stomach irritation and reflux if consumed in large amounts. If consumed in large amounts, it can also induce vomiting. It is important to consume it in moderate amounts.

Thyroid hormones

Long-term consumption of radish has a negative effect on the thyroid gland. It mimics the symptoms of iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, even though iodine levels are normal.

Urinary system

Long-term ingestion of horseradish extract has been shown to cause lesions in the urinary bladder. (9)

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5274677/#sec4title
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5383142/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11237192/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6412475/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11237192/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3180678/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16448395/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5622774/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22129740/