A common vegetable that graces every Christmas dinner table could be a secret weapon for your digestive system and mood, according to health experts.
Parsnips, the familiar root veg often found nestled next to your festive turkey, boast some surprising health benefits that might go unnoticed.
The health gurus at BBC Good Food have pointed out that this humble vegetable can do wonders for your gut health, aiding digestion thanks to its rich fibre content. With both soluble and insoluble fibre, parsnips can introduce beneficial bacteria to your gut microbiome.
Your gut microbiome is a unique ecosystem within your body, characterised by its environment and inhabitants. The bacteria in your gut assist in breaking down complex carbs and dietary fibres that you can’t digest on your own.
They produce short-chain fatty acids – a crucial nutrient – as by-products, and also provide enzymes needed to synthesise certain vitamins. In a recent Instagram video, BBC Good Food’s health editor revealed: “They (parsnips) contain a protective plant compound called falcarinol which can have a calming effect, as well as influencing the good brain chemical serotonin.”
Found in both parsnips and carrots, around 70 per cent of falcarinol is “lost during cooking”, but the remainder is absorbed and may have a calming effect.
This compound has also been suggested to potentially impact cancer development.
A 2005 study by researchers from the University of Newcastle discovered that a natural compound could reduce the risk of cancer in rats by one third. Science Daily reported that falcarinol, which protects carrots from fungal diseases like liquorice rot, was tested on 24 rats with pre-cancerous tumours.
The rats were divided into three groups and fed different diets. After 18 weeks, it was found that rats who ate carrots or consumed falcarinol with their feed were one third less likely to develop full-scale tumours than the control group.
Parsnips are also rich in vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamin C, which can boost your immune system. Nutritionist Kerry Torrens listed five top benefits of incorporating parsnips into your diet.
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