6 Reasons Why Turnips Are Good For Your Health

Turnips belong to the Brassica family, which includes cabbage, broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts. They are a root vegetable that is native to Europe, and thrive in cooler temperatures. The small, tender varieties are the most common turnip to be found on the menu, being less bitter and healthier to eat than the larger varieties.

Like all vegetables, turnips are very low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They are a good source of vitamin B6, folate, calcium, potassium, and copper. A very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and manganese.

The turnip greens are a super food and packed with nutrients. They are a good source of protein, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, iron, and phosphorus. Turnip greens are a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese.

# Reduces The Risk Of Various Types Of Cancer(S)

Vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds present in the turnips protect our cells and tissues from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, abdominal cancer, and intestinal cancer, etc.Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that get stabilized by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and while doing so it causes oxidative damage to them.

“Glucosinolates”, a natural chemical compound present in the asparagus breaks down into indoles and isothiocyanates, and inhibits the growth of tumor cells, and fight off against the harmful effect of the carcinogens.

# Maintains Our Cholesterol Level

Turnips maintain our cholesterol level and improve our cardiovascular health.Dietary fibers in the turnip reduce the level of bad LDL cholesterol in our system and thus prevents the clogging of arteries by the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits.Atherosclerosis is a condition that causes the hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits within the arterial walls. This increases the risk of several cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.Vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and other antioxidantal compounds in the turnips protects the arteries from free radical damage and improves their efficiency. They also play an important role in reducing the level of bad LDL cholesterol.

# Provides Relief From Hypertension

Turnip contains potassium, a natural vasodilator that relaxes our blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and thus provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure.Hypertension is a common health problem that affects millions of people around the world and is a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, irregular heartbeat, and coronary artery disease, etc.Iron, vitamin C and B vitamins in the turnips improves blood circulation and thus regulates blood pressure.

# Keeps Our Cardiovascular System Healthy

Turnip is good for our heart health and improves our cardiovascular health.Vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and beta-carotene in turnip protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.Dietary fibers in this root vegetable lower LDL cholesterol and thus minimizes the risk of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems.Vasodilating properties of the potassium in turnip relaxes blood vessels and provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure, and thereby reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, irregular heartbeat, etc.Vitamin K prevents the buildup of calcium in the arteries, keeps them healthy, and improves cardiovascular health.Other nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, and vitamin B complex, etc also play a significant role in improving cardiovascular health.

# Make Our Bones Stronger

Turnips strengthen our bones and teeth due to the presence of bone-strengthening minerals like calcium, potassium, and vitamin K in it.Calcium a vital mineral present in the turnip promotes growth and development of the bones, and deficiency of it can give rise to Osteoporosis.Osteoporosis is a bone disorder in which our bones become extremely weak and fragile, and are at a higher risk of being fracture and damage.Eating turnips regularly reduces the risk of osteoporosis, joint damage, and as well as rheumatoid arthritis.Other nutrients like potassium and magnesium also play a significant role in making our bones stronger.Potassium in the turnip neutralizes acid load and prevents the loss of calcium from the bones, and thus improves bone density.Vitamin K also improves bone density and thus strengthens our bones and teeth.

# Keeps Our Respiratory System Healthy

Turnip improves our respiratory health as they contain essential nutrients in them
Vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds in the turnip protect our respiratory system from free radical damage and improves our respiratory health.Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and during the process, it causes oxidative damage to them.Vitamin C is also an anti-inflammatory compound that protects our respiratory system from pain and inflammation and minimizes the risk of inflammatory respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchial asthma.It also prevents the inflammation of the lungs and improves our respiratory health.