![]() Inflammation is associated with many chronic diseases, such as arthritis, cancer, and high blood pressure caused by the hardening of the arteries. However, given that the studies only tested different types of extracts on rats, it’s unclear whether fresh turnip and turnip greens have similar effects in humans. lowered glucose (sugar) production by the liver.One 28-day study in rats with diabetes observed that those fed a daily dose of 90–180 mg of turnip leaf extract per pound (200–400 mg per kg) experienced significantly reduced blood sugar, as well as lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels ( 23).īoth studies agree that the antidiabetic effects of turnip and turnip green extract may be due to multiple factors, including ( 13, 22, 23): Similar results were found after testing the antidiabetic effects of turnip greens. The study also determined that the extract helped correct other metabolic disorders associated with diabetes, such as high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. One 9-month study in rats on a high sugar diet found that treatment with 45 mg of turnip extract per pound (100 mg per kg) of body weight lowered blood sugar levels and increased levels of insulin, compared with the control group ( 22). Managing your blood sugar is critical for health, especially for those who have diabetes, and animal studies suggest that turnips may have antidiabetic effects. Numerous studies have linked higher intakes of glucosinolates with a reduced risk of different types of cancer, including lung, colon, and rectal cancers ( 15, 16, 17, 18).įurthermore, turnips contain high amounts of flavonoids - mainly anthocyanins - another type of antioxidant with proven anticancer effects ( 13, 19).Īnthocyanins are present in blue and purple fruits and vegetables, such as turnips, and eating them is linked to lower rates of chronic and degenerative diseases ( 20, 21). Glucosinolates are a group of bioactive plant compounds that also provide antioxidant activity, meaning they mitigate the cancer-promoting effects of oxidative stress ( 13, 14). Turnips contain several beneficial plant compounds associated with cancer-fighting properties.īesides their high vitamin C content, which may help prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells, turnips are rich in glucosinolates ( 5). Additionally, the greens are a great source of folate, vitamin K, and provitamin A.ĭue to their nutritional composition, turnips - and turnip greens - offer many health-promoting effects. Summaryīoth turnips and turnip greens provide over 30% of the DV for vitamin C. Plus, vitamin A is vital for eye, skin, and lung health ( 6, 7, 8, 9, 10).Īdditionally, the leaves contain high amounts of folate, which aids the production of red blood cells and helps prevent developmental irregularities in fetuses ( 11, 12). ![]() Vitamin K plays an essential role as a clotting agent, meaning that it helps prevent excessive bleeding. This nutrient also improves iron absorption and helps regulate blood cholesterol, among many other health benefits ( 5).įurthermore, turnip greens are rich in the fat-soluble vitamins K and A, the type that your body absorbs better when consumed with fats. Nevertheless, the leaves contain even higher nutrient quantities, with 1 cup (55 grams) of chopped turnip greens providing ( 4):īoth the roots and leaves are great sources of vitamin C, which protects your body from free radical damage when levels of these molecules become too high in the body. Like other cruciferous vegetables, they’re low in calories but pack plenty of vitamins and minerals.Ī 1-cup (130-gram) serving of cubed raw turnips contains ( 3): Turnips have an excellent nutritional profile.
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