We’re subjected constantly to stories in the popular media about the latest heart healthy food. But many of these so-called ‘miracle’ foods don’t have any hard, scientific evidence to back up their claims. Now, however, scientists say compounds found in a Japanese ‘monster’ Radish may have promise…
Blogger Melissainjapan with a truly gigantic Sakurajima Daikon Radish. Originally from
Atlanta, GA, Melissa is an ESL teacher in Fukuoka, Japan.
It’s called the Sakurajima Daikon and it can grow to over 60 lb. / 27 kg in size. And a new study just published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry claims it could help protect coronary blood vessels and potentially prevent heart disease and stroke. And that’s big news, indeed.
Radishes are good sources of antioxidants and reportedly can reduce high blood pressure and the threat of clots, a pair of risk factors for heart attack and stroke. But to date, no studies had directly compared the heart-health benefits of the Sakurajima Daikon to other radishes.
What they did…
As part of a lab study, a team led by Dr. Katsuko Kajiya looked at the effects that the ‘monster’ Radish and other, smaller ones had on a number of heart health issues. They exposed human and pig endothelial (mucous membrane) cells to extracts from both kinds of Radish and compared the results.
What they found…
The team found the Sakurajima Daikon radish induced more nitric oxide production in these vascular cells than a smaller Japanese radish. They also identified trigonelline, a plant hormone, as the active component in Sakurajima Daikon that appears to promote a cascade of changes in coronary blood vessels resulting improved nitric oxide production.
Why nitric oxide?
It’s just recently been discovered that respiration involves not two but three gasses. Up until now, it’s been accepted that we breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, a waste gas from the process by which oxygen is absorbed into the body. But researchers say a third gas, nitric oxide, is also crucial to the circulatory process. It relaxes arteries allowing blood to flow more easily and reduces blood pressure. But it also, apparently, mediates the transfer of oxygen from the blood to the tissues that need it. So, anything that promotes nitric oxide production is a good thing for your heart.
The implications…
Kajiya says further study is needed to see if other veggies also contain the beneficial compounds that the ‘monster’ Radish has. And the good doctor also suggests that his team’s nitric oxide findings could also lead to the development of new anti heart disease drugs.
We’ll keep an eye on this one as further research unfolds…
Meanwhile…
Try this nutritionally-packed Radish Quinoa Salad from Jen Reviews. Get a complete protein and all the joy that Radishes and other Veggies of your choice have to offer!
~ Maggie J.