Horseradish offers many health benefits, some of which are particularly worth highlighting. The spicy vegetable scores particularly well in four areas.
Nutritionist Amanda Igel explains these four areas in a specialist article from the Cleveland Clinic (USA). The expert also describes the most important ingredients in horseradish and explains when it is better to be cautious when consuming the spicy vegetable.
Medicinal plant with high potential
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) can not only be used in the kitchen, but also has many medicinal uses and in 2020 horseradish was already voted medicinal plant of the year.
“Horseradish not only has an interesting, tangy taste, but is also healthy,” confirms Igel. Horseradish is comparable to mustard or wasabi, for example, and a tablespoon of prepared horseradish contains approximately:
- 2 grams of carbohydrates,
- 0.1 grams of fat,
- 0.5 grams of fiber,
- 0.2 grams of protein.
Horseradish also contains iron, zinc, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B1 and B2, as well as essential oils and various plant compounds that may have health benefits.
Horseradish inhibits inflammation
For example, horseradish has an anti-inflammatory effect due to the plant compound sinigrin, which is also found in broccoli and Brussels sprouts, explains Amanda Igel.
A 2016 study suggests that sinigrin can interrupt the inflammatory process in the body and stop it before it really flares up. The study also suggested that sinigrin can reduce the inflammation that contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Although more research is needed to clearly determine the extent to which horseradish reduces inflammation in humans, this has already been proven for sinigrin.
Anti-cancer ingredients
The remarkable plant compound also has anti-cancer properties, as do several other compounds in horseradish. For example, horseradish also contains isothiocyanates, which have shown a very convincing effect in a study on cancer cells, reports the nutritionist.
“Plants in the Brassicaceae family, which includes vegetables such as horseradish, cabbage, kale and cauliflower, contain a number of compounds that can destroy cancer cells,” adds Igel, citing another study.
Effective against bacteria and fungi
According to the expert, isothiocyanates can also destroy bacteria and fungi. “A handful of studies suggest that the isothiocyanates in horseradish have a strong antibacterial effect against some pretty strong germs,” explains Igel.
In a laboratory study, allyl isothiocyanate destroyed the bacterium Escherichia coli (a potential cause of food poisoning) and, according to the nutritionist, another research study indicated that isothiocyanates were effective against infections with Helicobacter pylori.
The isothiocyanates also work against salmonella and the antimicrobial effect also seems to be directed against fungi, reports Igel. Another laboratory study has shown that isothiocyanates from horseradish inhibit the growth of four different types of fungi that cause skin and nail fungal infections. Horseradish could be a possible natural remedy here.
However, further research is needed as very few studies have been conducted on humans to understand the therapeutic effects of isothiocyanates, said Igel.
Relieves inflammation in the bladder, sinuses & lungs
According to another study, a preparation made from horseradish and nasturtium has a comparable effect to antibiotics in the treatment of acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis and acute cystitis. At the same time, significantly fewer side effects occurred.
For example, the spiciness of horseradish increases mucus production in the sinuses, helping to flush out microbes and clear the infection. Next time you have a stuffy cough or runny nose, grab some horseradish sauce and drizzle a generous amount on your food, recommends Igel.
Can horseradish be harmful?
“You can eat horseradish every day as long as it doesn't cause irritation,” the nutritionist emphasizes. However, if it burns even more in your mouth, nose, stomach or throat, a break is recommended.
Caution is also advised in cases of inflammatory digestive problems, as horseradish can worsen the symptoms. According to Amanda Igel, this applies, for example, to:
- Morbus Crohn,
- esophagitis,
- Inflammatory bowel disease,
- Ulcerative colitis,
- stomach ulcers.
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