Useful properties and contraindications of rutabagas: how to use the root crop in cooking, cosmetology and folk medicine

The plant that will be discussed today is the closest relative of the turnip. They are often confused, but rutabaga is a very different vegetable.

The vitamins and microelements included in its composition are simply irreplaceable. Those who want to keep weight normal appreciate it for its low calorie content and the ability to quickly and permanently saturate. The root crop has a positive effect on almost all systems and internal organs. Let's get to know him better.

What is this vegetable

Swede - a representative of the cruciferous family. It is tolerant of adverse conditions such as drought or light frost. At the same time, it does not lose its beneficial properties, and the vegetable has a lot of them. Next, we will consider the useful properties and contraindications to the use of rutabagas, but first we will study its composition.

It is interesting! Goethe greatly appreciated rutabaga dishes. And in one of the Swiss cities of Richterswil, once a year they organize a festival in honor of a vegetable. Our compatriots from the city of Ivanovo also borrowed the tradition.

About the chemical composition and nutritional value

The nutrients included in the vegetable are shown in the table.

In addition to the vitamins, macro- and microelements listed in the table, rutabagas contain fatty acids, sugars, starch, polyunsaturated fatty acids, represented by omega-6 and omega-3. The calorie content of the vegetable is 37 kcal per 100 g of product.

What is useful

What are the health benefits and harms of a vegetable?

Rutabaga helps to eliminate puffiness, relieve various inflammations in the body, remove phlegm accumulated in the lungs, get rid of parasites and microbes. Its regular use normalizes blood pressure, improves digestion.

When consumed regularly, bones and teeth become significantly stronger, as does the immune system. Rutabaga accelerates metabolic processes, removes toxins, has a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels, gets rid of cholesterol plaques, and starts regenerative processes.

Do no harm

With positive properties, in some cases, rutabagas can harm the body:

• with excessive consumption of a vegetable, increased gas formation is observed;
• in the presence of acute or chronic diseases, accompanied by an inflammatory process in the digestive tract, fiber irritates the mucous membrane of the internal organs of the digestive system and worsens the patient's condition;
• substances that can harm are concentrated at the tip of the vegetable, therefore, if you eat it with reduced immunity, intoxication may occur;
• may worsen with inflammation of the bladder;
• the likelihood of an allergic reaction;
• you should also remember about individual intolerance to the product.

The body will help

The vegetable is useful both for the whole organism and for its individual systems and organs: blood vessels, bones, gastrointestinal tract, immune system, for heart disease and high blood pressure, for strengthening the nervous system.

In addition, rutabaga helps in the fight against migraines, strokes, high cholesterol, baldness. The vegetable cleanses and strengthens the walls of blood vessels, heals burns and wounds. It acts as a preventive measure against anemia. Regular consumption of the root vegetable improves the condition of the skin, hair, relieves fatigue and stress.

Did you know? In terms of vitamin C content, rutabaga is the leader among root crops. There is especially a lot of vitamin in a young vegetable - 70 mg per 100 g of product.

For ladies in position

Let's see if rutabaga is useful for pregnant women.

During pregnancy, most women face a problem such as swelling... Rutabaga helps to get rid of them. In addition, the vegetable is rich in folate, which is essential for pregnancy.

Another useful property of swede is to keep hemoglobin normal or raise it to the required level. The vegetable provides the expectant mother and baby with vitamins and microelements.

Attention! Women in a position should take particular care of themselves and their diet. Therefore, even such a useful product as rutabaga is best introduced into the diet after consulting a doctor.

Save the figure

Can rutabaga be used in diet food for weight loss? Definitely yes. IN It contains a lot of fiber, it perfectly cleanses the intestines and keeps you feeling full for a long time. The vegetable improves metabolism, which is also important for losing weight.

However, you should not replace all products with a root vegetable; it is better to add it to different dishes. The raw fruit brings maximum benefits, but even after heat treatment, many useful substances remain in it. Another plus is its low calorie content: a medium-sized vegetable will "pull" about 100-140 kcal.

What and for what diseases is it useful?

The high content of vitamins and microelements makes rutabagas indispensable for maintaining health and treating diseases. Now let's figure out why and how it is used.

For eczema

Rutabaga is one of the foods recommended for eczema. If the patient does not have an individual intolerance, the vegetable will be an excellent addition to the menu. With eczema, it is important that foods saturate the body with B vitamins and help maintain normal hemoglobin. Rutabaga easily copes with these tasks.

There is no need to refuse at all

The vegetable has a beneficial effect on the whole body, but it is contraindicated for people with high glucose levels in large quantities.... The swede has a high glycemic index, so it can be harmful.

In type 2 diabetes, it is better to add a root vegetable little by little to different dishes, combine it with protein products, and season it with vegetable oils. Vegetable crops are perfect as a preventive measure against diabetes. Using it regularly, a healthy person is less likely to get sick with it.

Protects against cancer

Doctors note a significant reduction in the risk of cancer and an improvement in the condition in patients who regularly consume rutabagas. The product is especially useful for men. The root vegetable halves the risk of prostate cancer.

It is enough to eat a vegetable three times a week, it can be included in other dishes, for prophylaxis and for oncology. It is advisable not to subject it to heat treatment.

What to cook

Rutabaga supplements and expands the diet, dishes with it are very useful, and their variety only pleases. These are soups, salads, casseroles, puddings. Here are some recipes using rutabagas.

Pudding with rutabaga

Ingredients:

• rutabaga - 1 pc.;
• cottage cheese - 100 g;
• eggs - 2 pcs.;
• milk - 20-30 ml;
• butter - 20-30 g.

Pass the curd through a sieve, finely grate the rutabagas, beat the eggs. Mix all ingredients and bake in the oven in tins.

Salad with rutabaga

Ingredients:

• swede - 1 pc.;
• radish - 1 bunch;
• ham - 100-150 g;
• eggs - 2-3 pcs;
• greenery;
• sour cream for dressing.

Finely chop everything. Mix sour cream and herbs, season salad, add salt to taste.

Traditional medicine tips

In folk medicine, the vegetable is widely used to treat various diseases:

1. For dry cough it is recommended to grind the root vegetable into gruel, mix with honey in a 2/1 ratio and take 1 dessert spoon 3-5 times a day.
2. Honey-rutabaga cocktail restores calcium levels in case of arthritis. Prepare it like this: add 1 tablespoon of honey to 100 ml of vegetable juice. The cocktail is drunk daily until the problem is eliminated.
3. 250 g rutabaga puree or 100 g baked vegetable, consumed twice a week, helps relieve constipation.
4. 100 ml of vegetable juice 2-3 times a day have a diuretic effect. As a result, swelling decreases.
5. Mixed in a ratio of 1/1 root vegetable juice and honey treat burns. The composition is lubricated with sore spots until they heal.

For the beauty of skin and hair

Rutabaga masks improve the condition of the facial skin. A raw root vegetable, crushed into gruel, is diluted with sour cream, 1 teaspoon of honey is added and applied to the face for a quarter of an hour. Wash off with warm water.

It is also helpful to wipe your face with swede juice. It relieves and dries inflammation. If you rub it into your scalp, your hair gets better and grows faster.

Consumption rates

For a healthy body, there are no restrictions on the use of vegetables. But it's still better to know when to stop. Overeating threatens with increased gas production.

It is recommended to be careful and diabetics. The swede has a high glycemic index, but it is not completely excluded from the diet. They eat it in small doses - 80, maximum 100 g, preferably in salads and other dishes.

Are there any contraindications

There are few contraindications for swede. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the stage of exacerbation, are a reason to completely abandon or reduce to a minimum the consumption of vegetables. Natural fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the process of food digestion, has the opposite effect in case of inflammation: the mucous membrane of the internal organs is irritated even more.

Note! Most of the harmful substances are found in the tip of the swede, so it is best to get rid of it before cooking. The fruit is chosen firm, without damage and rot.

From those who have tried

Real reviews of people confirm that rutabaga is not only healthy, but also tasty.

Nikolay, 26 years old:“I love the“ snowy ”rutabaga salad. The vegetable is grated on a fine grater, a little salt to it, sprinkle with lemon juice and season with unrefined sunflower oil. The salad is ready. Delicious and very healthy. "

Peter, 60 years old:“Once I tried rutabaga puree as a side dish for meat dishes - I liked it. Many years have passed, and I still grow my favorite vegetable in my garden. Tasty and healthy!"

Galina, 32 years old:“Rutabaga is a great addition to any menu. In stews, salads, it is good. Recently I tried to make mashed potatoes. There are no difficulties in cooking - I cooked, salted and chopped. If you add cream or milk, it tastes even better. I add the fried onions and garlic before chopping. For those who do not eat meat products, such a vitamin supplement will be very useful. "

Read also:

Review of the best varieties of radish for open ground and greenhouses.

What vitamins are in radishes and how are they useful for health.

Why dried dill is useful, how to prepare and use it.

Conclusion

Rutabaga is a tasty and healthy root vegetable that helps in the treatment of many diseases, as well as in their prevention. There are practically no contraindications to its use, but they should not be neglected. The vegetable is widely used both separately prepared and as part of various dishes. Bon appetit and be healthy!