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Horseradish

What the research shows

Unclear

the research on this page hasn’t settled it

The root of a perennial plant, used grated or preserved in vinegar.

When cut or grated, enzymes from broken cells break down sinigrin to make a mustard oil that irritates the sinuses and eyes.1

What research says

Studies in people

  • Open question

    Heart rate and blood pressure2

    In 22 young normal-weight men, horseradish slightly lowered heart rate and raised diastolic blood pressure, but the authors were unsure why.

Animal and lab studies only

  • Benefit

    DNA damage in cells3

    Horseradish root extract and its flavonoids reduced DNA damage in human cells.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.

Products

The 6 most-scanned of 1,278 products on Open Food Facts that list horseradish.

  • Wasabi peas The Foodie Market · 120 g 4 additives
  • Horseradish Sauce Colman's · 136 g 2 additives
  • Beetroot Apple & Pink Cabbage Slaw with a Yogurt Dressing M&S Food · 200 g 1 additive
  • Crinkle cut hand cooked crisps Tesco · 150 g 1 additive
  • dairylea Dunkers dairylea · 3 x 41 g 5 additives
  • Wasabi sauce for sandwiches and dipping Imp Kikkoman 3 additives

References

  1. 1horseradish: ingredient taxonomy entry. Open Food Facts.
  2. 2Gregersen NT, Belza A, Jensen MG, et al. Acute effects of mustard, horseradish, black pepper and ginger on energy expenditure, appetite, ad libitum energy intake and energy balance in human subjects. Br J Nutr. 2013;109(3):556-63. doi:10.1017/S0007114512001201
  3. 3Gafrikova M, Galova E, Sevcovicova A, Imreova P, Mucaji P, Miadokova E. Extract from Armoracia rusticana and its flavonoid components protect human lymphocytes against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. Molecules. 2014;19(3):3160-72. doi:10.3390/molecules19033160