Horseradish is a long, tapering root used as a condiment in the kitchens. The root has strong, hot, and sharp flavour, which can be only be described after experiencing its unique taste! Botanically, the spicy, pungent root belongs to the genus Armoracia, of brassicaceae (mustards) family, sharing with members like mustard, kale, radish, cabbage etc Scientific name: Armoracia rusticana.
Horseradish is native to Eastern and Mediterranean regions of Europe from where it spread to Americas during colonial times. The plant is a small perennial herb but can be grown as annual field crop for its thick, rough, fleshy roots in many parts of Europe, America, and Asia including Germany, USA, England, Hungary, Japan, and China.

The plant features broad, crinkled leaves. It grows best in cool climates with good sun light conditions. In general, the rootlets (root sections) planted in the spring and harvested by autumn. The roots are usually about 6-12 inches long with few rounded knots at the root end.
Wasabi (Wasabia japonica) is a Japanese variant of horseradish but has stronger flavour and delicate apple green colour flesh.

Health benefits

Horseradish is low in calories and fat; but contains good amount of dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. The active principles in the root found to have anti-inflammatory, diuretic (increase urine output), and nerve soothing effects.

The root contains many volatile phyto-chemical compounds, which give its much-famed pungent character. Some of the major constituents in the root are allyl isothiocyanates, 3-butenyl isothiocyanate, 2-propenylglucosinlate (sinigrin), 2-pentyl isothiocyanate, and phenylethyl isothiocyanate. It has been found that these compounds have anti-oxidant as well as de-toxification functions.

It is a potent gastric stimulant; increases appetite, and aids in digestion. The volatile phyto-chemical compounds in the root stimulate salivary, gastric, and intestinal glands to secrete digestive enzymes, thereby facilitate digestion.

Horseradish has good amounts of vitamin-C which is a powerful water soluble anti-oxidant. 100 g fresh root provides 29 mg or 41% of daily-recommended values. Vitamin C helps alleviate viral infections by boosting immunity. In addition, it helps remove harmful free radicals from the body and protects it from cancers, inflammation, infections etc.

The root spice has some of vital minerals in moderation like sodium, potassium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium. Iron is an important co-factor for cytochrome-oxidase enzymes during cellular metabolism. It is also required for red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Being an important component of cell and body fluids, potassium helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the powerful antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

In addition, the root has small amounts of essential vitamins such as folate, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid.

Immune System Health and Cancer Prevention: Horseradish is packed with beneficial nutrients and phytochemicals, some of which give it the distinctive, pungent odour that is so well known. This is the reason that it works so well as a food additive and an ingredient in cuisines all around the world. Some of these chemicals are various forms of isothiocyanates and sinigrin. These components have been found to have antioxidant characteristics that boost the strength of the immune system and stimulate the activity and production of white blood cells, the body’s main line of defence. The vitamin-C content of horseradish is also impressively high, which boosts the strength of the immune system and joins the defensive forces against free radicals.

In terms of cancer prevention, sinigrin is also a glucosinolate, a specific type of antioxidant that is beneficial in the defence of cancerous growth. It inhibits the mutation of healthy cells into cancerous cells, which occurs due to free radicals in the body, which are hazardous by-products of cellular metabolism that must be continually flushed out of the body. By adding a dollop of horseradish sauce to various foods, you are increasing your ability to fight off cancer and delay the spread of metastasis of cancerous cells if you have already contracted one of the deadly forms of cancer.

Weight Loss: Horseradish is very low in calories, only 6 per serving, and has no fat whatsoever. It does have omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids but they are an essential part of human metabolism, so just because they are labelled as “cholesterol” doesn’t mean that consuming them is always bad. Since it is high in fibre and rich in protein, horseradish can stimulate feelings of satiety, and it can be used freely in recipes without worrying about adding any unnecessary fats or calories. This way, overeating is reduced, and weight loss attempts are not compromised.

Blood Pressure: Potassium is an essential part of our bodies that regulates the flow of cellular fluids and regulates the tension of blood vessels. Potassium deficiency results in higher blood pressure, which means a higher risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases and conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Eating horseradish, which is a rich source of potassium, can increase your heart health by lowering your blood pressure and regulating the passage of fluids and nutrients between cellular membranes.

Digestion: Some of the elements in horseradish act as gastric stimulants, and the plant as a whole is known to have a sizable impact on digestion and nutritional absorption. The phytochemicals in horseradish root stimulate various glands in the body, including those for salivation, gastric and intestinal juices. When combined with the fibre content of the plant that bulks up bowel and stimulates peristaltic motion of the smooth intestinal muscles, horseradish can ease any digestive issues and regulate bowel movements, while also decreasing the occurrence of constipation and diarrhoea.

Bone Health: There is a modest amount of calcium in horseradish, and that is an essential part of bone health, growth, and repair. Adding a significant amount of calcium to your diet can keep your stronger and feeling younger, while also reducing your chances of developing debilitating conditions like osteoporosis.

Neural Tube Defects: The high levels of folate found in horseradish means that it protects mothers and infants from pregnancy issues, and also stimulates the proper developments of the fetus, thereby eliminating the chances of neural tube defects. However, too much horseradish can be dangerous for pregnant women, so be responsible with your intake.

Metabolic Function: Horseradish is packed with proteins, vitamins, and minerals, but lacks fat and calories. This means that the protein can directly be metabolized into useful energy, new tissue, muscle matter, or cellular material that can be used to repair and bolster defences against toxins and illness. Your energy levels can increase and the pungent sinigrin in horseradish can make you feel more aware and focused, raising your concentration level.

Antibacterial Quality: Studies have shown that the powerful, natural chemicals in horseradish can be a great defence against microbes and bacterial infections, including Listeria, E. coli, and Staphylococcus. Spread some horseradish on your sandwich or steak and protect yourself against these undesirable, infection-bearing bacteria. The specific antibacterial component is called allyl isothiocyanates.

Diuretic Quality: Horseradish has a diuretic quality to it that stimulates urination. This is good for a number of reasons, including the regular release of dangerous toxins from the body, cleanliness of the kidney, and a reduction in weight, since 4% of urine is actually composed of body fat!

Respiratory Conditions: That defining odour of horseradish that makes our noses curl up and our eyes water can also help clear the mucus secretions in the sinus and respiratory system. Taking a strong sniff or inhalation of pure horseradish can stimulate the secretion of various juices that help to clear out congestion that you may have developed due to a cold, illness, or allergy.

A Few Words of Caution: Horseradish is quite high in sodium, and the calories that are in it come from sugar. Although horseradish is usually consumed in small amounts, it is still important to remember that sodium can be detrimental to people struggling with obesity, as are calories derived from sugar. Also, horseradish has a slightly diuretic quality, which can exacerbate problems for people with kidney disorders, and for those with peptic ulcers or inflammatory bowel disease, the intense power of horseradish can make these conditions worse. Finally, if you suffer from hypothyroidism, some studies have shown that horseradish exacerbates this condition as well, so avoid it.