Antioxidant-packed radish leaf pesto
By Sari Huhtala
Don’t toss those radish leaves in the compost! Try a new twist on an old favorite. Swap out basil leaves in your next pesto dish with radish leaves and reap mounds of health benefits.
Looking for high antioxidant foods? Look no further than the radish leaf. The radish leaf has double the amount of polyphenols, antioxidants, compared to radish root, according to a 2019 study in the journal Nutrients – Deciphering the Nutraceutical Potential of Raphanus sativus—A Comprehensive Overview. Epicatechin and coumaric acid are the most active antioxidants in radish leaves, researchers found. You can buy them in supplement form, or get your fill through foods like radish leaves. Polyphenol heart-healthy epicatechin helps with nitric oxide production, fat burning and blood sugar regulating, among other benefits, while coumaric acid is a powerhouse anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and antioxidant.
While radishes are anti-cancer powerhouses, radish leaves have even more proteins, calcium and vitamin C than the radish itself, researchers discovered.
Easy radish leaf pesto
- 1 cup of radish leaves, stems removed and chopped
- ¼ plus 1/8 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp ground almonds
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toss all ingredients into a blender and blend to desired consistency. Stir into your favourite pasta, or add it to raw spiralized zucchini pasta.
(This information is not intended to replace medical advice and treatment from a health care practitioner).
Sari Huhtala is the creator, publisher and editor of Alive and Fit Magazine, which was created in 2007. She has over 25 years of experience in journalism and over 15 years of experience as a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor, and is a holistic chef, offering holistic cooking and edible wilds workshops. She is an organic farmer, wild-crafter and grandmother, who has spent over 20 years navigating a holistic, healthy path for her family. Reach her at friends@thelaughingforest.ca
