The Underrated Pink Vegetable That Can Help You Age Gracefully

What pink-red food adds crunch, color, and a peppery pick-me-up to salads, slaws, and stir-fries? Radishes! Yet radishes aren't just a feast for the eyes and the palate. They may also help you age a little slower.

Radishes are root vegetables (like potatoes, carrots, and related produce), and because of their root vegetable background, radishes contain some specific nutritional traits. Many of these were outlined in a 2022 article published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Among the most relevant to those seeking an anti-aging ally is a high level of antioxidants. Antioxidants offer multiple benefits to humans, including providing assistance in fighting off systemic stressors (e.g., inflammation) that can cause the body to age faster. According to WebMD, radishes contain numerous compounds that fall into the antioxidant category.

In addition to antioxidants, radishes are packed with vitamin C. Together, the antioxidants and vitamin C work toward protecting the body's cells. Consequently, when you eat radishes (including the plant's antioxidant-rich green tips), you're eating a food that could have a positive effect at a cellular level.

Radishes don't just contain antioxidants and vitamin C, either. They offer up fiber and vitamin A as well. As noted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one cup of sliced radishes provides 1.86 grams of fiber and 8.12 micrograms of vitamin A. And both of those nutrients can be part of an anti-aging lifestyle regimen for different reasons.

For instance, fiber has been shown to fight aging in scientific trials by protecting age-related biomarkers. In one lab experiment that was performed on mice and discussed in Nutrients in 2022, the animals that were fed a high-fiber diet for eight weeks showed slowed-down progress in their overall aging markers. This result led researchers to conclude that eating fiber in humans could have a similar outcome.

Another study from 2018 also found in Nutrients explored the potential relationship between fiber intake and genetic biomarkers in a large sampling of U.S. adults. The study's authors determined that regularly adding 10 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories could reduce aging in an individual by several years.

What's vitamin A's role as an anti-aging nutrient? Many people use vitamin A topically to reduce fine lines and age-related skin concerns. However, some evidence indicates that consumption of vitamin A can have a similar effect on the skin. 

The journal Cosmetics reported on a 2023 trial that examined whether combining oral and topical vitamin A might double down on slowing the aging process. During the 12-week trial, participants used either topical and oral vitamin A or only topical vitamin A to address their moderate to severe facial aging. Those who combined vitamin A products experienced the greatest desired effect.

One caveat: Avoid going overboard with oral vitamin A as it can be problematic in large doses, potentially leading to bone thinning, liver damage, headache, diarrhea, nausea, skin irritation, and bone and joint pain. An article from the Mayo Clinic explains that excessive vitamin A consumption may also be unhealthy for those who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant since it can cause birth defects. It may also be harmful for people taking some medications (e.g., anticoagulants, weight-loss pills, topical cancer treatments.) Consequently, talk with a healthcare provider if you're considering vitamin A supplements in addition to getting vitamin A through foods like radishes.

Of course, radishes alone won't make you age gracefully. But they can certainly contribute toward looking your best at any age.