1. Good Source of Calcium

One of the surprising health benefits of turnips is that they are a good source of calcium. One cup of cooked turnips will provide you with 5 percent of your daily value of calcium. That may not seem like much, but the calcium in turnips is absorbed by your body better than the calcium in calcium supplements. Therefore, including turnips in your diet will help you meet your calcium needs so your bones can stay strong.

2. High in Vitamin C

I am sure you know that oranges are a great source of vitamin C, but did you know that turnips are a great source of vitamin C as well? One cup of cooked turnips will provide you with 30 percent of your daily value of vitamin C! All of that vitamin C will help you keep your immune system strong during the cold and flu season.

3. Healthy Omega 3s

Omega 3 fatty acids are well known for their anti-inflammatory effects, and it is generally recommended that people eat foods high in omega 3 fatty acids often. Turnips have close to 50 milligrams of omega 3 fatty acids in a single cup! So, if you don’t like flax seeds or salmon, you can always eat turnips for your omega 3s.

4. Low in Calories

Turnips are a great weight loss food because they are very low in calories. One cup has a mere 34 calories! To get the most weight loss benefit from turnips, consider replacing your mashed potatoes with mashed turnips, which will allow you to cut your calories without having to feel deprived.

5. High in Fiber

Another reason turnips are a wonderful food to eat if you are trying to lose weight is because they are high in fiber. Fiber fills you up quickly, and with 12 percent of your daily value of fiber in a cup, you will certainly feel full longer. Aside from filling you up, fiber also supports you digestive health, which is why you should try to incorporate fiber rich foods like turnips in your diet.

6. High in Phytonutrients

Turnips are one of many vegetables that are high in phytonutrients. Turnips are an especially great source of specific phytonutrients called indoles. Indoles are a class of phytonutrients that have been shown to reduce the risk of lung and colorectal cancer.

7. High in Sulfur

Sulfur may not seem like something that is healthy, especially considering its strong odor. However, sulfur is a mineral that is very important for your health. It is a critical mineral for collagen formation, which supports all the tissues in your body. It also is an essential mineral for digestion and blood sugar regulation. Obviously, getting enough sulfur is important, and eating sulfur rich turnips can help get all the sulfur your body needs to function properly.

Turnips may not be the first vegetable you reach for at the grocery store. However, now that you know all of the health benefits of turnips, you just might be reaching for them a little more often. Do you like to eat turnips?

Sources: nutrition-and-you.com, nutritiondata.self.com, healthyeating.sfgate.com, ehow.com