Turnip is a traditional Russian dish. It was consumed fresh, boiled, baked and even cooked porridge. She often appears in fairy tales. This is truly the queen of the table, and the benefits of eating the fruit are enormous.
It was consumed on a regular basis in our country until the potato appeared. Then, for a long time, the turnip was forgotten, but now the popularity of this vegetable is increasing, because its benefits are invaluable to the body.
| Calories per 100 g, (kcal): | thirty |
| Protein in 100 g, (g): | 1.5 |
| Fats in 100 g, (g): | 0.1 |
| Carbohydrates in 100 g, (g): | 6.2 |
| Glycemic index: | fifteen |
Types and varieties of turnips
Turnip from the cruciferous genus. The vegetable is a completely unpretentious plant both in breeding and in care. It is for this reason that the expression “simpler than a steamed turnip” appeared. The fruits of the plant are fleshy and can reach 900 g.
The color of the fetus can be different: yellow, pink, green, purple and so on.
White
This is a lettuce turnip, bred in the Czech Republic. The ripening period is 70 days. These are fruits up to 12 cm in diameter with fruit weight up to 500 g.
The pulp of the underground part is very juicy and has a white color. In winter, the taste of the fruit is very similar to a real radish.
Black
This variety is considered the most useful for humans. It has a high content of nutrients and it has pronounced healing properties. The juice of this fruit is useful for treating coughs and colds. It is used in the treatment of gallstone disease, it is used to lubricate diseased joints and is used in the treatment of rheumatism.
The black turnip grows in North America and Eurasia. It is consumed raw, soups are prepared from it.
The most famous types of this variety are: “Nochka”, “Divnaya” and “Healer”.
Green
This root crop is selectively bred. It is elongated, the flesh has a light green tint. In terms of healing properties, it is inferior to black radish, but it has a milder taste and most of all resembles a radish.
But green turnips contain a lot of thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin A. The fruits stimulate appetite and have a positive effect on strengthening bones, lower glucose levels and are useful for gastritis. Common species: “Southerner” and “Green Goddess”.
Pink
The fruits of this variety of turnips have a slightly flattened shape. The skin of the root crops is even and smooth. Inside the fruit has a white pulp, mild and even sweetish. This type of vegetable does not like heat and is perfectly extracted from the soil.
The most famous species is the Milanese pink.
yellow
The fruits of this variety are elongated and the peel has a yellow color. It is these root crops that are most often stewed and boiled. It is useful for hair loss, in the fight against acne and to improve immunity. Popular types: “Dunyasha”, “Nurse” and “Granddaughter”.
The composition and calorie content of turnips
Turnip is 90% water. Root vegetables contain a huge amount of vitamin C, and they contain much more sugar than apples.
The vegetable is rich in potassium, iron, calcium, carotene. It contains a lot of essential oils and phytoncides. Turnips contain glucoraphanins , which prevent the appearance and further growth of cancer cells.
The calorie content of the vegetable is very low, only 31 kcal.
What is useful turnip, vitamins and minerals
Root vegetables contain a huge amount of potassium and calcium, and these elements help strengthen bones and prevent damage to blood vessels. Thanks to vitamin K, turnip is able to prevent the development of heart disease, lowers cholesterol levels. And vitamins A, E and C are antioxidants that not only remove cholesterol, but also reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Turnips will be useful in the presence of anemia, because these vegetables contain a lot of iron. Thanks to the B vitamins, the vegetable reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative pathologies.
Vitamin A will help get rid of bronchial diseases and cope with pulmonary pathologies. Turnip contains fiber in the optimal amount, which has a beneficial effect on the work of the digestive tract.
The benefits of turnips for women
For the female body, the root crop is useful in that it helps to establish the menstrual cycle. Regular consumption of the vegetable helps prevent the development of breast and uterine cancer.
Steamed, the vegetable does not increase appetite, but quickly saturates the body. This is the perfect product for dinner. In addition, turnip improves the quality of hair, prevents the development of inflammatory processes and helps to cope with diseases of the urogenital area.
The benefits of turnips for men
The main benefit that turnips have for the male body is the prevention of the development of prostate cancer. The root vegetable improves sexual function and increases the amount of testosterone in the body.
With the active development of alopecia, it is recommended to use root juice and rub it into the hair roots.
Regular consumption of vegetables will prevent the development of atherosclerosis and will have a cleansing effect on the vessels.
Turnip during pregnancy and breastfeeding
During pregnancy, turnip will contribute to the proper development of the fetal tube, as it contains the optimal ratio of vitamin PP.
During lactation, turnips are not recommended for consumption. The fact is that it will give a bitter taste to milk. It is unlikely that the baby will like it.
Is it possible to use turnips for children
Turnips are allowed to be introduced into the baby’s diet from 6-8 months. It is perfectly absorbed by a fragile organism and very rarely causes an allergic reaction.
For children, the root vegetable is an effective remedy for constipation, eliminates discomfort in the stomach. And vitamin C, which the vegetable is rich in, helps to strengthen the immune system and prevent frequent colds. Ascorbic acid allows the absorption of other products that enter the stomach, and contributes to the proper development of the brain.
However, you should always remember that turnips are introduced gradually, with an eye to the condition of the baby and the reaction of his body.
Is turnip good for weight loss
Turnip, by the way, is suitable for diet food. It is recommended to use it in a small amount, about 150 g per day, in paired or raw form. It is recommended to replace potatoes with turnips. After all, it has a lot less carbohydrates.
The use of turnips in diabetes
Fresh turnips have a very low glycemic index of just 30 units, making them suitable for diabetic patients. Root vegetable juice will calm down and prevent the occurrence of diseases that accompany diabetes.
Turnip dissolves stones and improves kidney function. At the same time, low calorie content will help to cope with excess body weight.
How to take turnip for medicinal purposes
Turnip is the basis of many medicines. It helps to improve the stomach, promotes the elimination of toxins and improves the general condition of the body.
As a diuretic, root juice is consumed 3 times a day, half a glass. But in no case should you exceed the dose. Plant juice can cause diathesis.
For general strengthening of the body, root seeds are recommended. They are eaten in half a teaspoon in their pure form before meals. The seeds can be added to salads. The course of treatment is 1 month.
The use of turnips in cosmetology
The pulp of the root crop is quite widely used as a cosmetic product. It allows you to keep the youth and elasticity of the skin.
From turnips, you can prepare a face mask that moisturizes the skin. For the mask you will need:
- gruel from the pulp of turnips;
- a spoonful of honey;
- cream.
All components are mixed and applied to cleansed skin for 10 minutes. Wash off the mask with brewed green tea.
Turnip helps to cope with dandruff. For a mask, turnip pulp is mixed with onion juice and burdock oil, in a ratio of 4:1:1. Rub into the scalp and leave for 30 minutes. After, wash your hair with shampoo.
Turnip harm and contraindications
It is not recommended to use turnips if there are diseases of the intestines or stomach, especially in the acute stage. This is due to the fact that the vegetable contains a large amount of aromatic and mustard oils, which irritate the mucous membrane.
If there is a history of nervous diseases, then fried and steamed turnips are prohibited.
Under any circumstances, if the product is introduced for the first time, it must be done gradually. A large amount of turnips in the diet can cause diarrhea and bloating.
How to choose and store turnips
It is better to choose small fruits. They should have a smooth skin, without defects. The leaves of the root crop should be juicy and have a bright green color. These signs indicate that the fetus is young.
You can store turnips in the refrigerator or in a dark, cool place. Before storage, it is better to remove the foliage and place the fruits in a plastic bag, tightly closing.
Turnip is a wonderful and healthy product recommended for regular use.