About Turnip
Turnip, (Brassica rapa, various rapa), also called white turnip, biennial hardy plant of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), grown for fleshy roots and soft tops. It is believed that the turnip originated in Central and East Asia and grows in tropical regions. Young turnip roots are eaten in salads or pickled, and can be cooked green.
The root is also boiled and given whole or ground, and used in stews. Although sometimes called turnips yellow or wax, rutabagas (Brassica napus, variety napobrassica) is a different species.
Turnip root is grown by grafting the taproot of the plant to the base of the small plant directly above it. The grass is short for the first year and bears fruit that forms a rosette like bouquet on the root. Its leaves are green and hairy. If it is allowed to grow a second time, the bud in the middle of the rosette develops strong, straight, slippery branches, small glossy leaves (with waxy coating).
The stem and branches end in a cluster of small bright yellow, cross-shaped flowers, followed by soft, elongated, short pods. Turnip is a winter crop but does not require a long growing season. In mild climates, turnips are planted in early spring or summer and grow quickly enough to produce crops before summer or fall weather conditions begin. . Sometimes it is grown as animal feed
Planting
Turnip grows best in full sun when temperatures range from 40°C to 75°C. As soon as the field can be worked, loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches. Mix in 2 to 4 inches of aged food and/or compost. Add in heavy clay soil to improve drainage.
When to plant turnips
For spring harvest, plant turnip seeds about 2 to 3 weeks before the average date of the last spring frost.
For fall crops, plant turnips in the summer after summer onions, squash, beans or sweet corn. For a late fall harvest, set the trees in early fall.
How to plant turnips
- Before planting, mix a good weak organic fertilizer (eg 5-5-5) about 12 inches into the soil. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, or you’ll end up with plants that lack large roots. Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization. Sow the seeds directly into the soil ¼ to ½ inch deep, 1 inch apart, in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.
- You can also scatter turnip seeds and the needs of the seedlings later. Cover the seeds with no more than ½ inch of soil.
- Water all the time. Protect crops in the spring from pests and cover the rows during sowing.
Health Benefits
Many researchers and health experts believe that the nutrients in turnips provide many health benefits, such as
High blood pressure
According to a 2013 study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, foods containing dietary nitrates, such as turnips and collard greens, can provide many benefits for blood vessel health.
These include lowering blood pressure and preventing platelet adhesion in the blood. However, the long-term risks of a high nitrate diet and its effects on cardiovascular health are still unclear.
In general, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has a positive effect on blood pressure. They play an important role in the Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s DASH diet, designed by medical professionals to reduce high blood pressure.
Turnips also provide potassium, which can help lower blood pressure by releasing sodium from the body and helping muscles to relax.
Reduce the risk of cancer
A high consumption of cruciferous vegetables – including turnips, cauliflower and cabbage – is associated with a lower risk of cancer.
These vegetables contain many compounds that may have a protective effect against certain cancers. One of them is 3,3′-diindolylmethane, according to a 2016 study.
Foods containing a compound called sulforaphane may also play an important role in cancer treatment. Cruciferous vegetables contain high levels of sulforaphane.
A 2015 study found that sulforaphane can inhibit the activity of histone deacetylase, an enzyme that plays a role in the growth of cancer cells.
Helps in weight loss and digestion
Turnips and other cruciferous vegetables contain fiber that helps people feel fuller for longer, with fewer calories. Eating fiber-rich foods also helps stabilize blood sugar levels. The fiber content of turnips can also prevent constipation and promote a healthy digestive tract. Adequate bowel movements are important for removing toxins from bile and stool
Get rid of bowel problems
A cup of raw turnips weighing 130 grams (g) provides 2.34 g of fiber. Fiber helps reduce stress and inflammation in the intestines.
Specifically, high-fiber foods are associated with fewer problems with bowel problems, including diverticulitis. Turnips and other fiber-rich foods can help reduce the spread of diverticulitis flare-ups by absorbing water into the colon and making bowel movements easier. However, doctors do not always recommend that people with diverticulitis eat a high-quality diet. Talk to a doctor before eating foods high in fiber.
In 2014, a large study found that different types of fiber have different effects on a person’s risk of diverticulitis. However, in general, fiber reduced the risk.
That said, a 2012 study found that high-fat diets do not change a person’s risk of diverticulitis if they are asymptomatic. Further research will help clarify the benefits of fiber for preventing diverticulitis. People should talk to a doctor before increasing their bowel movements.
