Radicchio is a quick growing Mediterranean red-coloured leafy vegetable. It actually is one of the varieties of leaf-chicory used in salads in Veneto region of Italy for centuries. Its wine-red succulent, bitter flavoured leaves hold several unique compounds like lactucopicrin (intybin), zea-xanthin, vitamin-K and several other vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Binomially, this beautiful leafy vegetable belongs to the Asteracae or daisy family; in the genus, Cichorium.

Scientific name: Cichorium intybus L.

Radicchio is a perennial, small cabbage like plant. It prefers cool weather, supplanted with well-draining, fertile, moisture rich soil. The crop is ready to harvest after about 75-90 days after seedling. Hot weather and inadequate watering might results in small, dense, and bolting heads. Well-grown radicchio features compact wine-red color leaves with prominent white veins about the size of a romaine leaves with prominent white veins about the size of head of romaine lettuce.

Different cultivars of radicchio are grown generally by the name of Veneto provincial cities. Chioggia variety has compact, beet-red, bitter leaves. Treviso variety has been less pungent, long, conical, compactly arranged leaves. Radicchio variegate di Castlefranco is a hybrid between radicchio and endive (Cichorium endiva). Castlefranco has loose, mild flavour leaves. Verona is another non-heading type, and has red colour, open leaves with broad white veins as in cabbage.

Health benefits

Radicchio, like other chicory class of vegetables, is very low in calories. 100 g fresh leaves carry just 23 calories.

The bitter principle in the radicchio is lactucopicrin (intybin), a sesquiterpene lactone. Lactucopicrin is a potent anti-malarial agent and has a sedative and analgesic (painkiller) effect.

Its leaves are an excellent source of phenolic flavonoid antioxidants such as zea-xanthin, and lutein. 100 grams leaves provide 8832 µg of these pigments. Zea-xanthin is a xanthophyll category of flavonoid carotenoid (yellow pigment) which concentrates mainly in the central part of retina in humans. Together with lutein, it helps protect eyes from age-related macular disease (ARMD) by filtering harmful ultra-violet rays.

Fresh leaves hold moderate amounts of essential B-complex groups of vitamins such as folic acid, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and thiamin (vitamin B1), niacin (B3). These vitamins are essential in the sense that human body requires them from external sources to replenish and required for fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism.

Fresh radicchio is one of the excellent sources of vitamin K. 100 g provides about 255.2 µg or 212% of daily-recommended values. Vitamin K has a potential role in bone health by promoting osteotrophic (bone formation and strengthening) activity. Further, adequate vitamin-K levels in the diet help limiting neuronal damage in the brain. It thus, has established role in the treatment of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Further, it is also good source of minerals like manganese, copper, iron, zinc, and potassium. Manganese is used as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Potassium is an important intracellular electrolyte helps counter the hypertension effects of sodium.

Heart ailments: Vitamin K helps to prevent arteries calcification which is one of the major causes for heart attacks. It carries calcium out of arteries and does not allow forming into harmful and hard deposits of plaque. It prevents the hardening of arteries.

Vitamin K helps to reduce inflammation and prevents the cells which line the blood vessels such as arteries and veins. Vitamin K helps to maintain the blood pressure and reduces the risk of having cardiac arrest.

Healthy bones:  Vitamin K increases the protein content which is needed to maintain the calcium in bones that lowers the chances of osteoporosis. The body requires Vitamin K for using calcium to form bones. The evidence shows that Vitamin K reduces the chances of bone fractures by enhancing the bone health. The high intake of Vitamin K2 reduces the chances of hip fracture by 65%.

The evidence shows that Vitamin D and Vitamin K works together in order to enhance the density of bones. Vitamin K has the positive effect on the balance of calcium which is required for the metabolism of bones. The intake of foods rich in Vitamin K by the injured patients helps to heal the broken bones and prevent twisted ankles.

Relieves pain:  Vitamin K lowers the PMS cramps and menstrual pains as it regulates the functions of hormones. Vitamin K also acts as a blood clotting agent by preventing over bleeding during menstruation and also relieves the symptoms of PMS. Over bleeding is the cause for more pain and cramps during menstruation. The research shows that the deficiency of Vitamin K could worsen the symptoms of PMS.

Treats cancer:  Vitamin K can reduce the chances of colon, nasal, prostate, stomach and oral cancer effectively. The research shows that high intake of Vitamin K assists the liver cancer patients by improving their functions of liver. The study shows that high intake of Vitamin K helps to lower the chances of cancer and cardiovascular.

Brain health:  Vitamin K is essential for the brain health. It involves in the sphingolipid metabolism which are the molecules widely found in the cell membranes of brain.

A study found that vitamin K dependent proteins are particularly important for the brain. Vitamin K involves in the nervous system by involving in sphingolipid metabolism, which is a class of molecules that occurs naturally and is present in the brain cell membranes.

The evidence shows that Vitamin K has anti-inflammatory properties which prevent the brain from oxidative stress caused due to damage made by free radicals. Oxidative stress may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s, cancer, Parkinson’s as well as heart failure.

Metabolism:  Copper is essential for the reactions of 50 various metabolic enzymes that takes place in the body normally. The enzymes reactions are essential for the proper functioning of metabolism which allows nerve for communication.

The copper enzymes are found in large number with high brain, liver and heart metabolic activities. Copper is required for the cardiovascular system, nervous system, digestive system and metabolic process. Copper is also required for ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is the source of energy for the body. The deficiency of copper may lead to slow metabolism, poor metabolic health and low energy.

Reduce arthritis:  Copper possess an anti-inflammatory properties which provides relief from the stiffness and pain related to arthritis. It assists the strength of muscles, repairs connective tissue and lowers the joint pain. The arthritis patients wear copper bands or bracelets with a belief that it can reduce the painful symptoms of arthritis.

Thyroid function: Copper is required for the proper function of thyroids as it works with potassium, zinc and calcium which help to balance the thyroid activities and prevents hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Due to the complex relationship of the trace minerals, the rise in one should be balanced by other. Due to the excessive presence or deficiency of these minerals, the thyroid takes place. It leads to weight loss or gain, fatigue, chance in appetite or body temperature.

Treats anaemia:  Iron and copper work together to synthesize the red blood cells and haemoglobin. The studies show that copper is vital for the iron absorption from an intestinal tract and releases it into liver where it is stored. The iron level decreases with the deficiency of copper due to which the anaemia could develop. The anaemia patients could experience the symptoms such as muscle aches, fatigue, impaired brain function and digestive problems.

Prevents neurodegenerative disease:  The copper may help the conditions of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease. The high intake of copper could be toxic and results in poising of copper and impairments of brain function. The research shows that the deficiency of copper increases the chances of impaired brain function and cognitive decline.