What are the benefits of turnips? Medically mashed potatoes meme by Miho Hatanaka, RDN, L.
Written by Megan Ware, RDN, L. Turnips are vegetables with a creamy white color and a purple top. People often group this popular European staple food with root vegetables, such as potato and beetroot. However, the turnip is actually a cousin of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, arugula, and kale. Like other cruciferous vegetables, turnips provide plenty of nutrients and are low in calories.
Both the turnip and its leafy greens are tasty and nutritious. This article will mainly focus on the dietary benefits of the root, however. In this article, learn more about the health benefits of turnips, their nutritional content, and some tips on how to include them in the diet. The fiber in turnips may help relieve intestinal problems. Specifically, high fiber diets are associated with a lower risk of intestinal problems, including diverticulitis. Turnips and other high fiber foods can help reduce the prevalence of diverticulitis flares by absorbing water in the colon and making bowel movements easier. However, doctors do not always recommend a high fiber diet for people with diverticulitis.
Talk to a doctor before eating high fiber foods. In 2014, a large prospective study found that different types of fiber had different effects on a person’s risk of diverticulitis. Overall, however, fiber reduced the risk. That said, one 2012 study found that a high fiber intake did not change a person’s risk of diverticulitis if it is asymptomatic.