Turnip: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Rajeev Singh

Introduction

The scientific name of turnip is Brassica rapa, belongs to the family Brassicaceae. It is an herbaceous plant grown across the world. Turnip vegetable is indigenous to Europe, America, Russia and Asia. Turnip is believed to have been cultivated around 4000 years back and its domestication has various ancient origins. It played an important role during slavery in America and Africa. Turnip is thought to be native to the Mediterranean region. Turnip is an economically important crop worldwide and is vividly cultivated for its tender growing tops, forage, fleshy roots and oilseeds. It is usually grown in a temperate climate in the early spring or winter. Turnips can be found in a mixture of purple, white and yellow and are bulbous in shape. It contains several organic acids, has a strong aroma, and is a crop with nutritional and medicinal value¹. Let us look at some of the health benefits of turnip. 

Nutritional Value of Turnip

Turnip contains several organic compounds like glycosinolates, isothiocyanates, flavonoids, indoles, sulfur compounds, phenolics, carbohydrates, and volatiles¹. It has the following nutritional components: 

• Energy: 16 kcal
• Water: 95.7 g
• Fat: 0.16 g
• Protein: 1.04 g
• Fibre: 1.8 g
• Carbohydrate: 2.94 g
• Iron: 0.7 mg
• Calcium: 23 mg
• Phosphorus: 20 mg
• Magnesium: 10 mg
• Sodium: 25 mg
• Potassium: 137 mg
• Vitamin C: 4.4 mg

Nutritional contents of turnips²

Properties of Turnip

Studies have shown that turnip may possess the following properties: 

• It may be an antioxidant 
• It may possess properties to lower sugar level 
• It may protect against cancer 
• It may fight against bacteria and fungi 
• It may protect the kidney and liver 
• It may relieve pain 
• It may reduce swelling¹

Potential Uses of Turnip for Overall Health

Some of the potential health benefits of turnip are given below. 

1. Potential Uses of Turnip to Protect the Liver

Consumption of herbs and vegetables in case of liver diseases has drawn great attention. Turnip contains several organic compounds like glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, flavonoids, phenols, indoles, volatiles and sulfur compounds that may possess antioxidant activity. The compounds present in turnip may reduce the risk of liver damage and might help maintain its structure and function. However, more studies are needed to check the action of turnip to protect the liver¹.

2. Potential Uses of Turnip to Protect the Kidney

Turnip may help to protect against kidney damage. It contains compounds like flavonoids, which may possess antioxidant activity and reduce oxidative stress in kidneys, thereby protecting it. However, more studies are needed to check the activity of turnips to protect the kidney. You must seek proper treatment if you have been diagnosed with kidney disorders¹.

3. Potential Uses of Turnip for Diabetes

Turnip may be used in case of diabetes. Turnip contains several constituents like quercetin, indole, alkaloids, etc. These constituents may be responsible for the anti-diabetic activity of turnip. A study¹ on mice showed that turnip might show its anti-diabetic activity against type-2 diabetes. However, these studies were conducted on animals therefore, more studies are required on humans to check the anti-diabetic effect. You must check your sugar levels regularly and seek medical advice in case of high sugar levels.

Turnip is readily available and has multiple health benefits. Among all other bioactive compounds, the presence of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant abilities of turnip might be useful for reducing hepatic damage being caused by diabetes⁴.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

4. Potential Uses of Turnip for Cancer

Turnip may reduce the risk of cancer. It contains several compounds that may inhibit DNA damage and reduce the risk of tumours and cancers in the body. It may allow the body to detoxify the harmful chemicals better. Further studies are required on the human body to confirm the anti-cancer activity of turnips. Cancer is a serious disease therefore, you must consult your doctor if you have been diagnosed¹.

Based on my observations, including turnip in your diet has several benefits. Many studies show that it contains antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective properties. Due to these properties, turnips might be useful in managing many diseases such as cancer, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, etc³.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

5. Potential Use of Turnip Against Bacterial and Fungal Infections

The use of natural products as antimicrobial agents has increased because of increased resistance and side effects of drugs. Turnip may be used in fungal and bacterial infections due to its presence on constituents like quercetin, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, flavonoids, phenols, indoles, volatiles, sulfur compounds, and other biological compounds. However, more research is required to confirm the antimicrobial activity of turnips¹.

6. Potential Use of Turnip to Relieve Pain and Swelling

Turnip may be used to alleviate pain. Turnip consists of several natural analgesics like flavonoids (substances that reduce pain). A study¹ on mice showed that turnips might possess analgesic properties. Swelling in the body may be caused due to various reasons like external stimuli, irritants, foreign organisms, etc. Flavonoids present in turnip may help reduce swelling too. However, further studies are needed on humans to check these effects. You must consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment related to any kind of pain.

7. Potential Use of Turnip to Lower Cholesterol Levels

Turnip may reduce bad cholesterol levels due to its antioxidant activity. The natural antioxidants like quercetin, tocopherols, ascorbic acid and beta carotene present in turnip may help breakdown the LDL (low-density lipoproteins). This may lead to lower LDL levels in the body. More research is required to confirm the activity of turnips in lowering cholesterol levels. You must check your cholesterol levels and consult your doctor in case of abnormal cholesterol levels¹.

Though studies show the benefits of turnips in various conditions, these are insufficient, and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of turnips on human health. 

How to Use Turnips?

Turnips can be included in the diet in the following way: 

• Turnips can be baked or boiled in stews and soups 
• Turnips can be included in sandwiches 
• It can be used to garnish various dishes 
• It can be eaten raw with a dip 

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.

Side Effects of Turnips

Turnip, a natural product, has no specific side effects. However, if any reaction is noticed on using it, seek immediate medical attention. Consult your ayurvedic physician who has prescribed it to you they will be able to identify the cause and treat it effectively.

Precautions to Take with Turnips

General precautions should be taken while having turnips, as in any other general medicine. Pregnant women and lactating mothers should take special care. You must consult your doctor before having turnips. Precaution should be taken before giving turnips to the elderly or children. In such cases, you must have turnips only if your doctor prescribes them. 

Interactions with Other Drugs

There is not enough evidence on the interaction of turnips with other drugs. Further studies on the interaction of turnips are required. Therefore, you must consult your doctor if you are on any other medication before consuming turnips.

Also Read: Peanut Butter: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Rajeev Singh

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Sheikh MA, Anjum N, Gull A, Saini CS. Turnip. In Antioxidants in Vegetables and Nuts-Properties and Health Benefits 2020 (pp. 143-158). Springer, Singapore. Available from: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-15-7470-2_7 
2. Food Data Central turnips, frozen, unprepared [Internet]. U.S. Department of Agriculture. [cited 2022 Sep 7]. Available from: [Internet]. U.S. Department of Agriculture. [cited 2022 Sep 8]. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170059/nutrients 
3. Paul S, Geng CA, Yang TH, Yang YP, Chen JJ. Phytochemical and health-beneficial progress of turnip (Brassica rapa). J Food Sci. 2019. Available from: https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1750-3841.14417
4. Javed A, Ahmad A, Nouman M, Hameed A, Tahir A, Shabbir U. Turnip (Brassica Rapus L.): a natural health tonic. Brazilian Journal of Food Technology. 2019;22:e2018253. Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/bjft/a/pH7R3CmhYrcSjxmCRzJmrVN/?lang=en

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