Nutritional Advantages of Root Vegetables
Root vegetables are great for immunity as they contain fibre and antioxidants. People on a diet can also eat these veggies as they are low in calories, cholesterol, and fat.
The nutrients that root vegetables include:
Complex Carbohydrates
Potassium
Folate
Manganese
Vitamins A, B, and C
Health Benefits of Various Root Vegetables
Listed below are some of the best health benefits of root vegetables:
Onions
Onions are high in antioxidants and vitamin C. They help in fighting infections and reduce your blood pressure levels. They also help minimise the risk of certain cancers. Onions can be added to your pasta dishes, lentils, scrambled eggs, and salads.
Sweet Potatoes
High in vitamin A, sweet potatoes help improve vision, skin health, and immunity. They also aid in controlling blood sugar levels. You can bake this veggie for a nice smoky and sweet flavour. These can even be enjoyed in sandwiches or as a side dish.
Turnips
These veggies have immune-boosting vitamin C in them. This helps in reducing the risk of respiratory infections. Turnips are also known as cruciferous vegetables and eating them may lower the risk of certain cancers. Use them in salads or add them to stir-fry dishes.
Beetroot
Beets have a good amount of nitrates that improve exercise performance, help in blood pressure, and help minimise the growth of cancer cells. These can be relished as a salad, in sandwiches, rolls, or even as a juice ingredient.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the healthiest root vegetables known to have medicinal properties due to a compound known as allicin. This veggie improves immunity, controls blood pressure, and decreases triglyceride and cholesterol levels. You can amplify the flavour of your dishes with garlic. Adding them to soups, sauces, or curries makes the taste richer.
Radishes
This root vegetable has fibres and vitamin C. They are also known to have antifungal properties and protect against stomach ulcers. Use them in tacos, sandwiches, or as a pickle.
Carrots
This root vegetable has high beta carotene, which helps lower the risk of vision issues and certain cancers. Eating carrots also reduces cholesterol levels. These can be eaten raw with hummus or stir-fried with garlic and potatoes.
Potatoes
They are a nutritious vegetable and have fibres, vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese, and potassium. These veggies are high in starch, which makes them very filling.
Turmeric
It has an essential component called curcumin, which helps improve joint pain, blood sugar levels, and signs of depression. Add a pinch of turmeric to your dishes to get the medicinal qualities of this veggie in your diet.
Cons of Root Vegetables
Apart from the health benefits, one should also know that all root vegetables have starch in them. This means they have carbs, which are used by our bodies for energy. Eating large servings will cause your blood sugar to increase. Repeated intake of large portions will cause repeated blood sugar spikes, leading to diabetes. Therefore, eating these veggies in moderate amounts is good for your health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we now know that there are different types of root vegetables, each with unique advantages for your health. Using them in your daily meals with other vegetables will help you eat a balanced diet. However, make sure to eat them in moderation.
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