Turnip greens are dark-green leafy tops of the plant turnip. The greens indeed hold more nutrition profile than the vegetable tuber itself concerning vitamins, minerals, and health-benefiting antioxidants. It’s a root vegetable in the Brassicaceae family of mustard plants. It’s ready for harvest in the spring and fall. The most common turnip is light purple on top and white on the bottom, but there are more than 30 kids with varying shapes and colors. Some are sweet, like a carrot, while others taste more like a potato.
| Turnip greens Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Turnip greens |
| Scientific Name: | Brassica rapa (Rapifera Group) |
| Origin | It is inherent throughout Europe, Central Asia, Russia and the Near East, with Europe projected as one center of origin. |
| Calories | 18 Kcal./cup |
| Major nutrients | Vitamin K (115.08%) Vitamin A (45.43%) Vitamin C (36.67%) Vitamin B9 (26.75%) Copper (21.44%) |
| Health benefits | Antioxidant activity, Eliminate free radicals, Healthy heart, Bone health, Supports vision |
Turnip greens are the leaves of plant turnip which are also known as turnip tops. Turnip plants are grown in a wide range commercially. It is cultivated generally for its roots rather than leaves. Besides its roots, leaves could be used in a variety of dishes.
Turnip officially belongs to the scientific species or genus known as Brassica rapa which consists of various subspecies that have been cultivated widely such as napa cabbage, turnip, turnip rape, Cime di Rapa, and mizuna. This group consists of many varieties of turnip which is classified in terms of the color of the root. Turnip with white roots includes varieties such as Egg White, Snowball, and Tokyo Cross. Orange or yellow root includes Orange Jelly, Golden Globe, and Petrowski. Red roots include Red Root, Scarlet Queen, and Red Round. Purple root varieties include Royal Crown, Purple Top White Globe, and Milan featuring lower white half and purple top half.
Turnips are vegetables that have been domesticated before the 15th century BC. The wild forms of hot turnip and its relatives such as radishes and mustards are found over Europe and West Asia which suggests its domestication took place in that area. Romans and Greeks considered that the turnip is very highly and developed various new varieties. Early European settlers and colonists introduced turnips to North America. It cultivated well in the South and was widely popular food in local cuisines of this region.
History of Turnip Greens
Turnips are a historical veggie that is considered to have been grown nearly 4,000 years back within the Near East. Both Greeks and also Romans believed extremely of the turnip and also created numerous brand new types. Its prevalent popularity in Europe continues, even though since the creation of the potato, it really is significantly less broadly grown than it was previously.
Turnips were launched into North America by the earlier European residents as well as colonists. They grew well within the South and have become a well-known food item in the local delicacies of the region. Turnip greens, which became a fundamental element of Southern African-American delicacies, are believed to have been used in this food culture due to the role they performed throughout the times of slavery. Apparently, the slave owners would reserve the turnip roots for themselves, leaving behind the leaves for the slaves. As Western African cuisine typically utilizes a wide selection of green leaves in the cooking, the African slaves used turnip greens as an alternative and included them in foodways.
Plant
Turnip is a biennial and herbaceous plant which grows upto 1 meter high. Stems are gray to blue, gray to green, glaucous, and glabrous. It has a thin taproot that measures 10 cm long. It has rarely 10 basal leaves. Leaves are smooth, softly hairy, deeply lobed, and are upto 50 cm long. Upper leaves are subentire, sessile, oblong-lanceolate in shape, and is constricted above the base. An inflorescence is an elongated raceme. Flowers form densely in clusters. Flowers are regular and bisexual. The blooming period occurs between late spring to early fall. Each flower measures 1/3 to ½ inches across and consists of four yellow petals, yellow sepals, stamens, and a pistol with a single style. Sepals are spreading, yellow to green measuring 5 to 8 mm long. Obovate petals are 0.5 to 1 cm long, clawed and are bright yellow in color. It has six stamens with a cylindrical, superior ovary which is two-celled. Flowers are replaced by a fruit which a linear silique is measuring 4 to 10 cm by 2 to 4 mm having tapering beak with 30 seeded. Seeds are globose in shape, finely reticulate, dark brown, and are about 1 to 1.5 mm in diameter.
Types of Turnip plants
Gardeners all over the United States, as well as Canada, grow turnips within their home gardens. Turnips are probably the few crops that are cultivated for just two distinctive parts: roots and leaves. Several turnip varieties have been carefully bred particularly to create delicious leaves, while some create big. Delicious roots. Couple of varieties creates both, so when you intend to consume turnip greens, variety selection is an essential action.
1. All-Top Turnip Greens
This particular variety creates a higher yield of leafy greens, yet doesn’t generate delicious roots. All-Top is actually a rapid grower, maturing in approximately 35 days and is also versatile to the wide selection of environments. The majority of areas can hold both spring and also fall crops. Seven-top is really a comparable variety displaying sufficient, dark-green leaves which mature in 40 days. All-top is resistant against mosaic, a typical illness affecting greens.
2. Alamo Turnip Greens
Alamo is actually a crossbreed turnip green variety. Suitable for processing by the University of Delaware, Alamo is extremely flexible as well as grows as well in Texas since it does in New England. This particular variety doesn’t create delicious roots.
3. Topper Turnip Greens
Topper produces an energetic crop of heavy, green leaves which regrow rapidly as soon as the first harvest. Maturation in 35 days, this particular variety, in addition, creates delicious, pale-green roots. Topper is probably the most cold-tolerant type and is also resistant against aphids, mosaic and downy mildew.
4. Shogoin Turnip Greens
Maturation in 42 days, Shogoin creates soft, mild-tasting leaves. The white roots are also delicious whenever younger; however, turn out to be inedible as the plants mature. Shogoin is resistant against mosaic and downy mildew and is also an excellent variety for fall planting.
Nutritional value of Turnip greens, raw
Calories 18 Kcal. Calories from Fat 1.53 Kcal.
| Proximity | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 49.32 g | N/D |
| Energy | 18 Kcal | N/D |
| Energy | 73 kJ | N/D |
| Protein | 0.82 g | 1.64% |
| Total Fat (lipid) | 0.17 g | 0.49% |
| Ash | 0.77 g | N/D |
| Carbohydrate | 3.92 g | 3.02% |
| Total dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 4.74% |
| Total Sugars | 0.45 g | N/D |
| Glucose (dextrose) | 0.29 g | N/D |
| Fructose | 0.16 g | N/D |
| Minerals | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 104 mg | 10.40% |
| Iron, Fe | 0.61 mg | 7.63% |
| Magnesium, Mg | 17 mg | 4.05% |
| Phosphorus, P | 23 mg | 3.29% |
| Potassium, K | 163 mg | 3.47% |
| Sodium, Na | 22 mg | 1.47% |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.1 mg | 0.91% |
| Copper, Cu | 0.193 mg | 21.44% |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.256 mg | 11.13% |
| Selenium, Se | 0.7 µg | 1.27% |
| Vitamins | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.039 mg | 3.25% |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.055 mg | 4.23% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.33 mg | 2.06% |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.209 mg | 4.18% |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.145 mg | 11.15% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 107 µg | 26.75% |
| Folate, food | 107 µg | N/D |
| Folate, DEF | 107 µg | N/D |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | 33 mg | 36.67% |
| Fat-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin A, RAE | 318 µg | 45.43% |
| Vitamin A, IU | 6373 IU | N/D |
| Beta Carotene | 3824 µg | N/D |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 7054 µg | N/D |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.57 mg | 10.47% |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.09 mg | N/D |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 138.1 µg | 115.08% |
| Lipids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.039 g | N/D |
| Caprylic acid 8:00 (octanoic acid) | 0.001 g | N/D |
| capric acid 10:00 (decanoic acid) | 0.001 g | N/D |
| Lauric acid (dodecanoic acid) 12:00 | 0.001 g | N/D |
| Myristic acid 14:00(Tetradecanoic acid) | 0.002 g | N/D |
| Palmitic acid 16:00 (Hexadecanoic acid) | 0.03 g | N/D |
| Stearic acid 18:00 (Octadecanoic acid) | 0.006 g | N/D |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.011 g | N/D |
| Palmitoleic acid 16:1 (hexadecenoic acid) | 0.008 g | N/D |
| Oleic acid 18:1 (octadecenoic acid) | 0.003 g | N/D |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.066 g | N/D |
| Linoleic acid 18:2 (octadecadienoic acid) | 0.02 g | N/D |
| Linolenic acid 18:3 (Octadecatrienoic acid) | 0.046 g | N/D |
| Phytosterols | 7 mg | N/D |
| Amino acids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan | 0.014 g | 3.18% |
| Threonine | 0.045 g | 2.56% |
| Isoleucine | 0.043 g | 2.57% |
| Leucine | 0.075 g | 2.03% |
| Lysine | 0.054 g | 1.61% |
| Methionine | 0.019 g | N/D |
| Cystine | 0.009 g | N/D |
| Phenylalanine | 0.051 g | N/D |
| Tyrosine | 0.032 g | N/D |
| Valine | 0.056 g | 2.65% |
| Arginine | 0.052 g | N/D |
| Histidine | 0.02 g | 1.62% |
| Alanine | 0.057 g | N/D |
| Aspartic acid | 0.087 g | N/D |
| Glutamic acid | 0.112 g | N/D |
| Glycine | 0.05 g | N/D |
| Proline | 0.039 g | N/D |
| Serine | 0.034 g | N/D |
| Amino acids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Kaempferol | 6.5 mg | N/D |
| Myricetin | 0 mg | N/D |
| Quercetin | 0.4 mg | N/D |
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not rxharun.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/
Health Benefits of Turnip greens
Turnip greens are loaded with impressive amounts of antioxidants such as glucosinolate which helps to counteract many diseases. A glucosinolate is a large group of sulfur that contains glucoside molecules and is well known for its ability to counteract cancer as it production of healthy cells and stimulates cell death within cancerous human tumors. Turnip greens have two vital glucosinolates. Glucotropaeolin and Gluconasturtiian are responsible for various health benefits. These greens are an excellent source of minerals and vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin K, calcium, and Vitamin C. It contains 10 times more amount of Vitamin A in comparison to cabbage and 10 times more calcium in comparison to cauliflower.
- Antioxidant activity – Leaves contain high content of antioxidants. The studies show that a diet rich in antioxidants assist in counteracting various illness such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune disease, and Parkinson’s disease. It has antioxidants such as quercetin, beta carotene, and myricetin which fight free radical damage and slow down aging. These greens promote immune function and lower the chances of oxidative stress which is caused by free radicals.
- Eliminate free radicals – The damage caused by free radicals increases the risk of the development of cancerous cells. Turnip greens have a high content of glucosinolates found in studies having an inverse relationship with rectal and colon cancers. Animal studies show that intake of food rich in glucosinolates is related to lower enzyme activities that lead to cell mutation and DNA damage which results in the growth of the cancerous tumor. Other studies show that turnip greens have a high content of Vitamin C and Vitamin A that prevents the body from cancer. According to studies leafy greens helps to prevent breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer.
- Healthy heart –An intake of cruciferous vegetables is related to lowering the chances of heart disease in men and women. It is associated with lowering the chances of cardiovascular disease mortality. Turnip greens have a high content of vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, folate, and various phytochemicals that have a positive effect on heart health through various biological pathways. Oxidative damage and bad cholesterol is the major factor for the development of heart disease. Turnip greens help to lower the level of LDL cholesterol, oxidative stress, homocysteine, inflammation and lowers high blood pressure which are the contributing factors of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Fiber and folate are found in turnip greens help to protect cardiovascular health. Fiber lowers the level of LDL cholesterol and Vitamin B prevents the buildup of homocysteine in arteries.
- Bone health – One cup of cooked turnip greens contains 600 percent of daily intake of Vitamin K. Vitamin K is vital to maintain bone health and prevent the breaking of bones. The deficiency of Vitamin K is related to an increase in the chances of hip fractures in women and men. An intake of leafy greens is associated with bone mineral density. A study found out women with low intake of Vitamin K had considerably low bone mineral density. The aged people have thin bones due to which consumption of ample amounts of whole foods as well as exercising is essential to lower the chances of osteoporosis, bone breaks, and pain.
- Supports vision – Turnip greens possess carotenoid antioxidants such as lutein, beta carotene, and zeaxanthin that help to protect the eyes. Zeaxanthin and Lutein are the two carotenoids in the retina and human macula which are natural pigments usually found in colored fruits as well as green leafy vegetables. Antioxidants prevent the development of eye diseases such as macular degeneration as it absorbs damaging blue light which enters the eye. Though the effects are unclear, research shows that antioxidants block light damage when once absorbed which helps to lower the effects of light scatter on visual performance and protect from photochemical reactions that damage the eye.
- Diabetes treatment – The studies show that high consumption of antioxidants from various fruits and vegetables helps to manage diabetic complications. Antioxidants help to defend the body from diabetes and lower the chances of complications such as heart disease and eye disorders. The high presence of free radicals results in damage of cellular enzymes which lead to the development of resistance to insulin becoming the main cause of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. In diabetic patients, free radicals are formed by the oxidation of glucose and have increased in the level of free radicals. Diabetic people suffer from cataracts, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure and also struggle with weight gain and inflammation. Antioxidants help to control these health problems by reducing oxidative stress.
- Enhance cognition – Oxidative damage of fatty nerve tissue is related to an increase in chances of various forms of brain disorders and nervous systems such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Sulforaphane is an antioxidant that protects brain health and cognitive function as it possesses cytoprotective effects for oxidative stress. The animal studies show that cruciferous vegetables having sulforaphane provided neuroprotective effects in oxidative stress.
- Mood and sleep – Choline is present in Turnip greens which are a vital nutrient that assists muscle movement, sleep, memory, and learning. It maintains the structure of cellular membranes, assists fat absorption, supports transmission of nerve impulses, and lowers chronic inflammation. It has folate which assists depression with the prevention of excess homocysteine from forming in the body. Homocysteine prevents the nutrients and blood from reaching the brain. Excess presence of homocysteine hinder the production of the good hormones serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These hormones regulate sleep, mood, and appetite.
- Treat atherosclerosis – The high presence of free radicals in the body causes oxidation of bad cholesterol and platelets in the body that leads to atherosclerosis which is a condition of blood vessel damage. Beta carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are found in turnip a green which acts as antioxidants that counteract free radicals in the body. The daily intake of turnips prevents the progression and development of atherosclerosis.
- Treat torn feet – Use turnip externally to treat torn feet. Boil 12 turnips with leaves in water and soak feet in this boiled water with turnips for about 10 minutes before going to bed and rub turnips on torn skin of the foot. Use it regularly for three days to make the feet soft and repair skin. Leaves of turnip assist in the elimination of wrinkles on feet.
- Prevent Atherosclerosis – Atherosclerosis is considered one of many dangerous health conditions, which in most cases would cause a fatal result in human’s life. Atherosclerosis is a health condition that will cause damage in the blood vessels, which then causes the oxidation of bad cholesterols and clumping of the platelets. One of the most efficient things to overcome those conditions is by improving the number of antioxidants in our bodies. As already mentioned above, turnip contains powerful antioxidants from Vitamin C and beta-carotene which will eliminate the free radicals. As the result, the amount of oxidation of bad cholesterol and platelet clumping would be significantly reduced.
- Prevent the Damage of Blood Vessels Wall – This benefit of turnip is closely related to the benefit already mentioned above. So, you already know that turnip contains a high amount of Vitamin C, E, as well as beta-carotene. Those nutrients are powerful antioxidants that will fight against free radicals. As the result, the oxidation of the bad cholesterol would significantly reduce and the blood vessels in the body will stay healthy. In addition to that, those nutrients would also reduce the amount of a specific dangerous substance called homocysteine, a substance that could damage the blood vessels wall. So, if you want to stay away from dangerous health conditions such as coronary artery disease, then consuming turnips would be a great choice.
- Prevent Cancer – Cancer is one of the deadliest health conditions in this world. So, you need to start to consume foods that will help you to avoid cancer. One of the beneficial foods that you can consume is turnip. In a matter of fact, many studies have proved that this vegetable can help people to avoid cancer because it can stimulate the detoxification process in the body. For your information, the detoxification process is one of the most effective ways to avoid many diseases, especially cancer. The powerful antioxidants from Vitamin C, E, as well as beta-carotene that are contained in turnip will get rid of the harmful toxins which potentially will turn our cells become cancerous.
Turnips Benefits for Weight Loss Treatment
Thus, here are the health benefits of turnips for your daily dose diet tricks:
- Good for Your Diet – If you’re planning a diet program and want to lose some weight, then turnip is one of the vegetables that you need to consume regularly. So, as with most vegetables, the turnip has low calories. Thus, there is no surprise that this vegetable would be beneficial for weight loss. Aside from that, turnip is a kind of vegetable that has a great number of dietary fibers, which then of course will improve the metabolism process in the body. As the result, of course, you will have a healthy gastrointestinal and better control of your body weight.
- Detoxification Support – Various kinds of turnip, especially turnip greens, would bring a great advantage to detoxification of harmful chemical things out of your body. This is because turnip contains a special compound called glucosinolates, which is divided into two parts, gluconasturtiin, and glucotropaeolin. That compound would help to stimulate and control the detoxification process of various enzymes. In addition to that, the powerful antioxidants from turnips would also stimulate the phase I and phase II detoxification activities. As the result, many harmful chemical things will get out of your body and you will be healthier.
Turnips Benefits for Beauty Treatment
Here are the health benefits of turnips for your alternative beauty tricks:
- Boost the Skin Health – As one of the main sources of Vitamin C and A, there is no doubt that turnip is very reliable to enhance the health of your skin. Those vitamins have excellent anti-aging properties because they eliminate free radicals. Free radicals are well known as the main cause of various skin health problems such as wrinkles, fine lines, or black spots. As the result, of course, your skin will be smoother than before. Also, you will be more likely to look younger than your actual age. In addition to that, various minerals and the beta-carotene contained in turnips will also be essential to boost the health of your skin.
- Strengthen Your Hair – Aside from its benefit to your skin, it turns out that turnip is also offering a lot of benefits for your hair. Many research studies have shown that the regular consumption of turnips will cause a good effect on your hair. This is because turnip is being loaded with great amounts of the chopper. Chopper is a compound that has a great influence on melanin formation. As your information, melanin is a substance that plays a big role to provide the color of your hair. In addition to that, melanin is also being loaded with a lot of nutrients such as beta-carotene, Vitamin C, zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin. All of them are very important to improve the health of your hair. Hence, they will make your hair become stronger than before.
- Cures Torn Feet – It turns out that turnips would also offer a great benefit for your body if you apply them externally. So, in case you feel the pain or find wrinkles in your feet, then you might want to try to apply turnips in that area. As already mentioned above, turnips have anti-inflammatory properties as well as anti-aging properties which enable them to cure torn feet. You can apply the turnips externally by boiling some turnips into the water. After that, you can start to soak your feet for about 10 minutes with the mixture of turnips and boiled water. If you’re doing this regularly, then there is no surprise if you will get a soft and smooth foot immediately.
Turnips Benefits for Sexual Organs Health
Meanwhile, here are the health benefits of turnips for the traditional cure of ovary organs.
- Protect the Ovary Health – As a woman, it is really important to keep the health of the ovary. But, the ovary is really prone from the growth of the cancerous cells in it, which will promote ovarian cancer in the later stages. So, if you want to stay away from ovarian cancer, then you might want to consume turnip since this vegetable would be greatly beneficial to prevent the growth of cancerous cells in the ovary. According to researchers, 100 grams of turnip greens contain 12 milligrams of kaempferol. Kaempferol is a flavonoid that will prevent the growth of cancerous cells in the ovary. Although more studies are needed, but the researchers have suggested that this kaempferol would make the treatment of ovarian cancer become more efficient.
Traditional uses
The decoction prepared from leaves or stems of Turnip is used to treat cancer.
- Turnip tops carry more vitamins and minerals than that of the vegetable tuber itself. Besides, the leafy tops are very low in calories; carrying just 32 calories per 100 g.
- Like kale and mustard greens, turnip tops are quite compact regarding the nutrition profile of vitamins and minerals and health-benefiting antioxidant properties.
- Turnip greens are one of the excellent sources of ß-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. 100 g fresh raw greens provide 6952 µg, and 11984 µg of ß-carotene and lutein-zeaxanthin levels respectively. These flavonoids have potent antioxidant and anti-cancer activities. Beta-carotene converted into vitamin-A inside the human body.
- Zeaxanthin, an important dietary carotenoid is selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eyes where it thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions. Thus, it helps prevent retinal detachment and offers protection against “age-related macular degeneration related macular degeneration disease” (ARMD) in the elderly.
- The top greens are one of the highest vitamin-A sources in the plant kingdom. 100 g leaves provide 11,587 IU or 386% of RDA.
- Vitamin-A is required for maintaining healthy mucosa and skin and is essential for vision. Foods rich in this vitamin are known to offer protection against lung and oral cavity cancers.
- Again, they are among the top vegetable sources for vitamin K; 100 g provides 251 µg of this vitamin that is about 209% of recommended intake. Vitamin-K has a potential role in bone health by promoting osteoblastic (bone formation and strengthening) activity. Adequate vitamin-K levels in the diet help limit neuronal damage in the brain; thus, has an established role in the treatment of patients who have Alzheimer’s disease.
- 100 g of fresh leaves contain 60 mg, or 100% of daily recommended levels of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a modestly potent water-soluble antioxidant that helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen-free radicals.
- This leafy vegetable is notably good in many B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, folate (48% of RDA/100g), niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin, pantothenic acid, etc., that are essential to the body as part of coenzymes during the metabolism in the body.
- Its leaves are also a rich source of minerals like magnesium, copper, calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure by countering the effects of sodium. The human body uses manganese as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is required for cellular oxidation and red blood cell formation.
Turnip greens are one of the finest sources of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can offer protection from vitamin-A deficiency, osteoporosis, iron-deficiency anemia, and are believed to protect from cardiovascular diseases and possibly from colon cancers.
How to Buy Turnip Greens
- In case the greens are connected to the turnips, choose the ones that seem fresh, dark green, and crisp. They appear much like spinach leaves.
- However, it really is recommended that you simply buy turnip greens which are sold individually. As the big roots may have bitter leaves, the smaller ones may have better leaves, ideal for ingesting.
- Avoid turnip greens that are yellow or even wilted since they are a sign of older stock. In addition, don’t buy greens that have spots and therefore are wilted.
Turnip Greens Storage Tips
- In case you’ve bought greens with their roots connected, split them through the roots.
- Wrap the greens in a moist towel and put them in a plastic material bag. Squash out just as much air as you possibly can through the bag and keep them within the very coldest section of the refrigerator exactly where they’ll continue for as much as four days.
- Never keep turnips as well as turnip greens with each other.
- For best flavor as well as taste, take in the greens as quickly as possible since they have a tendency to lose their nutrition rapidly.
How to Eat
- Since prehistoric times, in Europe, it is consumed as greens that resemble the flavor of mustard flavor.
- Add leaves to salads.
- Sautéed turnip greens with lemon juice, soy sauce, and cayenne pepper.
- Cook turnip greens and serve it with rice and beans.
- Sauté sweet potatoes, turnip greens, and tofu. Serve with your favorite grain.
- Make vegetarian lasagna by adding turnip greens and spinach.
Precautions
- Allergic people should avoid its consumption.
- Consume it in moderate amounts.
- Turnip greens contain oxalates so people with gall bladder or kidney problems should prevent its frequent usage.
Turnips Side Effects
Although you already know that turnips could bring you tons of advantages, of course, they will have some side effects on certain people with certain conditions. So, in case you wonder whether you’re allowed to consume turnips or not, here are some side effects and precautions on turnips that you need to take notice:
- Patients with gallbladder stones or kidney problems should not consume turnips. This is because turnip green is one of the certain foods that contain a high amount of oxalates it. The high amount of oxalates will concentrate in the body fluids and then crystallize. That phenomenon will harm people with kidney problems in the future.
- Patients with thyroid problems also should not consume turnips. This is because turnips contain a specific substance called goitrogens. These substances are commonly known could interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland. As the result, those substances will harm people with thyroid problems.
- In most cases, people with a constant flatulence problem are also not recommended to consume turnips. This is because turnip contains a high amount of sulfur compounds. As you already know, the high amount of sulfur compounds will cause digestive problems and flatulence for certain people.
So, now you already know all of the turnip’s health benefits. Also, you already know how to buy them, how to store them, and some side effects about them as well. There is no surprise that turnip is considered one of the greatest vegetables you could consume since it will bring a lot of good for your body. So, just grab some turnips from now on and consume them immediately. Stay healthy!
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