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Briefly introduced: The parsnip
It is thanks to organic farmers and traditional small farmers that parsnips are slowly finding their way back to our plates via the weekly markets. In Germany, we lost sight of the sweet and spicy root vegetable for a long time. Parsnips have been a staple food for most of our history. The extremely starchy roots provided our ancestors with vitamins and energy, especially in winter and spring. With the introduction of the potato in Europe, parsnips began to fall behind. In the last few decades, the healthy roots were completely forgotten.
Fortunately, today it is no longer impossible to get hold of parsnips. Today, consumers can find the wholesome root vegetable at weekly markets and in well-stocked supermarkets. Parsnips are reminiscent of carrots, but are pale yellowish to brownish and have a much broader head than carrots. A single parsnip can easily weigh between 1 and 2 kilograms. And these kilos have it all, because the root is an excellent source of vitamin C and contains
- Potassium
- calcium
- Phosphor
- Magnesium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1, B2, B6
- Niacin
- Vitamin E
- essential oils
These 3 things happen when you eat parsnips regularly
1. Strong immune system thanks to vitamin C
100 grams of parsnips contain around 18 milligrams of vitamin C, which is so important for the normal function of our immune system. The light yellow parsnip provides us with around three times more vitamin C than a carrot. You get a lot of vitamin C when you eat parsnips raw. The sensitive vitamin C does not tolerate the heat from cooking, steaming or frying well. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect our body’s cells from the damaging effects of free radical oxygen species.
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2. Healthy nerves and muscles thanks to potassium
Parsnips contain about 523 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams. Far more than the same amount of carrots or potatoes. Potassium is responsible for the normal functioning of our nervous system and plays an essential role in the transmission of stimuli between nerves and muscles. Potassium is also important for normal muscle function. Anyone who exercises regularly can benefit from a normal intake of potassium through a balanced diet. The mineral potassium also has a role in regulating blood pressure.
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3. Healthy gastrointestinal tract thanks to essential oils and prebiotics
Parsnips get their spicy sweetness from essential oils and polysaccharides such as fructans. Essential oils have an antibacterial effect and can soothe the stomach. Fructans are counted among the prebiotics. These are substrates that serve as food for the microorganisms in our intestinal flora and can thus develop a health-promoting effect. A balanced diet with parsnips can be beneficial for normal digestion. Symptoms such as flatulence, diarrhea or constipation can be prevented in this way.
4. Full and healthy thanks to fiber
Parsnips contain about 5 grams of fiber per 100 grams. These fibrous plant compounds fill you up faster and longer because they swell up in the stomach and increase in volume. At the same time, this increases the dwell time of the food in the stomach, which has positive effects on a stable blood sugar level, since nutrients are released more slowly and evenly. High-fiber foods help with a balanced, healthy diet. On average, adults should consume about 30 grams of fiber per day, and with a good portion of parsnips in your diet, you can already cover a large part of your daily requirement.
