Healthy Root Vegetables You Must Try

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Most often we do not classify veggies as stem or root vegetables. We club them together as vegetables and add them to our diet. However, the category healthy vegetables that grow under the earth have special nutritional benefits.

There are many root vegetables that are very commonly present in our kitchen. The best examples would be potatoes, onions and carrots. But there are also some rare but healthy root vegetables like maca or fennel that do not have widespread popularity. Root vegetables are healthy because they are usually energy boosters. Each of these vegetables has its own nutritional benefits.

Some religions like Jainism do not permit the eating of root vegetables. This religious belief stems from the fact that a plant cannot survive without its roots. So to have root vegetables you must kill the entire plant. With other plants you can just pluck the fruit or vegetable without killing the plant. Apart from that, many chronic diabetic patients are asked to avoid root vegetables like onions and potatoes because they have high sugar content.

Here are some healthy root vegetables that can add flavour and nutrients to your food.

Beet Root

The nutritional benefits of beet root are widely known. Beet has lots of iron that helps anaemic people who are deficient in iron. The beta-carotenoids in beet roots are very effective antioxidants.

Turnips

Turnips make great vegetables for salads. First and foremost, turnips are heart healthy vegetables because of their anti-inflammatory properties. They also have lots of healthy antioxidants.

Potatoes

Potatoes are rich in starch and give you loads of energy. But if you are on a diet, you must avoid potatoes because they make you obese. Potato skin provides roughage and the pulp of potatoes has kukoamines that helps lower blood pressure.

Onions

There is just no end to the nutritional benefits of onions. Onions contain anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that helps fight infections. They also contain zinc that boosts hormonal activity in men.

Garlic

Garlic contain allicin that makes it an extremely heart healthy root. Raw garlic is also very effective to cure cough and cold.

Fennel

Fennel contains both soluble and insoluble dietary fibres that helps keep the digestive system healthy. Fennel also has high amounts of folate that keeps the nervous system in order.

Ginger

To put in a nutshell, ginger has too many health benefits. Ginger has many digestive enzymes that is good for people prone of acidity. Ginger also helps cure cough, cold and throat infections.

Carrots

Carrots are the best vegetables for your eyes and skin. Carrots are rich in Vitamin A that helps improve eyesight and is also good for the skin. Other than that, they give you plenty of roughage.

Radish

Radish is an excellent choice for making raw vegetables salad. Radish is a boon for diabetics because they have very low glycemic index. They also have large amounts of potassium that helps to regulate blood pressure.

Yams

Yams are tubers that grow under the ground. They are rich sources of carbohydrates and a staple food in many African countries. Yams are extremely rich in Vitamin B-complex that helps to keep the neurons healthy.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are superfoods. They are rich sources of energy but does not have as much starch as normal potatoes. Apart from being sources of Vitamin B complex, they also help to cure insulin resistance