Health Benefits, Nutrition, Side Effects

Horseradish is not just a spicy condiment. The herbal supplement, horseradish, Armorcia rusticanasa is an annual herb Brassicaceae family. Horseradish has been traditionally used for many years for its medicinal properties.

The horseradish plant is native to Eastern Europe. Known for its pungent smell, it is less known for its traditional uses. The component in horseradish known to cause this familiar smell may also be the reason behind many of the traditional benefits attributed to the plant.

Horseradish has several nutrients, such as vitamin C, folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It is the main component sinigrin.

This article discusses the potential nutritional and health benefits of horseradish, as well as how to take it as a supplement, precautions to consider, and more.

Uses of Horseradish

Supplement use should be individualized and reviewed by a health care professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or physician. No supplement is intended to treat, cure or prevent disease.

Horseradish contains vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and sinigrin. Apart from its use as a table condiment, these components in horseradish may explain its more traditional uses.

Antibacterial

Horseradish also appears in traditional medicine as an antibacterial. With the increasing resistance to antibiotics, scientists are searching for new ways to respond to the possible effects of bacteria on the human body. For this reason, they are studying the components (chemicals) of the horseradish plant.

The sinigrin found in horseradish releases allyl isothiocyanatemustard oil containing sulphur. It is the activity of the isothiocyanates that acts against bacteria such as Escherichia coli. This prompted the need to further study the activity of horseradish and its effects on bacteria.

Early studies indicate that horseradish may have antibacterial properties. But again, the data to support these claims is insufficient. More clinical studies (human studies) are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections are common infections that affect all ages and genders. It is essential to manage this condition because of its widespread impact.

Compound activity found in the plant known as horseradish isothiocyanate may promote antimicrobial (germ-killing) activity. These studies are in their early stages and human data are needed to support these claims.

Cancer

There have been no clinical studies on the use of the horseradish plant for cancer.

Early laboratory studies have also shown that sinigrin, as a result of degradation glucosinolatescan cause death in some cancer cells. Although these early results are promising, there is no clinical data to support these claims.

As with most supplements, more research is needed to support claims of traditional uses for horseradish. Apart from this, other possible treatment purposes of horseradish include:

Nutrients in Horseradish

Although horseradish has nutrients, such as vitamin C, folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, very few of these nutrients are consumed due to the small serving size used as a stew or in sauces.

One teaspoon of horseradish contains:

• calories: 2.4
• Total fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrate: 0,5 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Sodium: 21 mg
• Vitamin C: 1.2 mg
• Folate: 1.8 mg
• Calcium: 2.8 mg
• Magnesium: 1.4 mg
• Potassium: 12.3 mg

Horseradish also contains flavonoids – compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties thought to promote health and prevent disease. However, the flavonoid content in commonly consumed parts may not be significant compared to the flavonoid content in extracts or supplements.

How to eat Horseradish

Always speak with a health care provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage is appropriate for your individual needs.

Horseradish is available in a variety of forms, including fresh or dried root, capsules, and liquid. Follow label recommendations when growing any type of horseradish.

The fresh horseradish root should be taken before meals. Take 3-4 grams (g) every day. Fresh horseradish can be used as a condiment or added to mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, cocktail sauce, and salad dressings.

The dried root can be taken in doses of 20 g per day. As an infusion and syrup, horseradish can be taken in 2 g doses several times a day. Horseradish can also be prepared in a tincture. Take 2-4 g of the dried equivalent daily as a tincture.

Horseradish capsules come in various doses from 500 milligrams (mg) to 1000 mg. There is no recommended dosage for horseradish capsules, so follow the label recommendations.

What Are the Side Effects of Horseradish?

Horseradish has no clinical data showing potential side effects as an herbal supplement. Horseradish is most commonly consumed as a food item. Most people recognize horseradish as a condiment. But, as with any supplement, there may be allergies.

Common Side Effects

Clinical studies on the medicinal properties of horseradish are very recent. Most of these studies have been completed in cells or animals and not in humans. There is a lack of information on the possible side effects of horseradish as a supplement.

As a food, horseradish is often spicy or hot. It may irritate your throat if it is too gentle. When a person eats horseradish, its oils can cause eye irritation.

Serious Side Effects

Serious side effects of horseradish are rare. Clinical data about side effects of horseradish are lacking. As with any supplement, there is a risk of an allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening.

If any condition changes while using horseradish, consult your healthcare provider.

Precautions

Although horseradish is generally safe, there is some reason to be cautious. People with hypothyroidism, ulcers, gastritis, or kidney disease should use horseradish with caution. If you have any of these conditions, talk to your healthcare provider about your individual use of horseradish.

It is also not recommended to use horseradish at therapeutic levels during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

What Happens If I Consume Too Much Horseradish?

Horseradish is generally safe. If you eat as a condiment in large quantities, the spicy root may irritate your mouth, nose, or stomach. It is best to take small quantities when using this concoction or supplement.

Store-bought sauces that contain horseradish can be high in sodium. Be sure to read the nutrition label carefully. Eating too many foods high in sodium can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Horseradish can be toxic if eaten in high quantities. The toxic part of the plant can be found in the root. The IS glucosinolates found in the root cause of this risk of toxicity. When eaten in high quantities, it can cause profuse sweating, upset stomach, weakness, and disorientation.

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

Interactions

There are no recent reports of horseradish having any drug interactions. However, it has been mentioned that horseradish may interact with thyroid medications such as levothyroxine due to the possibility of decreased thyroid activity.

Because of this uncertainty, if you take levothyroxine, talk to your healthcare provider before using horseradish.

Carefully read a supplement’s ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to find out which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements and medications.

How to Store Horseradish

Follow the storage and disposal recommendations on the supplement label. Fresh horseradish is best stored in a refrigerator. When the supplement is fresh, keeping it in the fridge will minimize the loss of flavor and maintain its quality.

Horseradish is available in freeze-dried and dehydrated forms. In these forms, follow the storage recommendations found on the supplement label.

Sources of Horseradish and What to Look For

Horseradish can be found in many forms. It is available as a spicy food condiment or as a supplement. The best way to get the benefits of horseradish is through supplemental form.

Horseradish Supplements

Horseradish supplements are available in many forms. The actual root, from which most supplements are made, can be purchased at grocery stores.

The supplement can be obtained as a tincture, infusion, or syrup. It is likely that the concentration of these preparations will be higher than what you would get from naturally increasing horseradish in your diet.

Summary

The horseradish condiment that may be on your kitchen table has more uses than just spicing things up. Traditional medicine has used horseradish to act on many health issues from infections to inflammation. Early studies of some of these traditional uses may be promising, but more data from human research is needed to support the traditional uses of horseradish.