Is Radish High or Low in Potassium? Unpacking the Nutritional Facts

October 24, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Kidney Foundation, radishes are considered a good vegetable choice for those on a potassium-restricted diet. For those managing kidney health or watching their mineral intake, the question, Is radish high or low in potassium? is important. The simple answer is that this crunchy root vegetable is a low-potassium option, making it a safe and healthy dietary addition for many.

Quick Summary

Radishes are a low-potassium vegetable, making them a suitable option for those on a potassium-restricted diet, particularly for kidney health. A standard half-cup serving of sliced radishes contains a minimal amount of potassium.

Key Points

Radishes are Low in Potassium: A standard half-cup serving of sliced radishes contains a very low amount of potassium, making it suitable for restricted diets.
Benefit for Kidney Health: Due to their low potassium content, radishes are a safe and healthy vegetable for people with kidney disease who need to monitor their mineral intake.
Rich in Vitamin C and Antioxidants: Radishes are a good source of Vitamin C and other antioxidants that help protect cells from damage.
Versatile in Cooking: Radishes can be enjoyed raw in salads, roasted, or added to various dishes to add a crunchy texture and peppery flavor.
Compare with High-Potassium Foods: The potassium in radishes is significantly lower than in high-potassium alternatives like potatoes, bananas, and spinach.
Contributes to Hydration: With their high water content, radishes are a hydrating vegetable that's also very low in calories.

Understanding Potassium in Your Diet

Potassium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in bodily functions, including maintaining fluid balance, nerve signaling, and muscle contractions. For most healthy individuals, a diet rich in potassium is beneficial. However, for people with kidney disease or other specific health conditions, high potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia) can be dangerous and require a restricted diet. In these cases, understanding the potassium content of foods is crucial for health management.

The Answer: Is Radish Low in Potassium?

Yes, radishes are low in potassium. A half-cup (about 58 grams) of sliced raw radishes contains approximately 135 mg of potassium, and a 100-gram serving contains around 233 mg. To put this into perspective, many low-potassium diets recommend limiting intake to 2,000–3,000 mg per day. The modest potassium content in radishes allows them to be enjoyed regularly without causing issues for those needing to monitor their intake.

Radish Nutrition and Health Benefits

Beyond their low potassium content, radishes offer several other health benefits:

Rich in Vitamin C: A half-cup serving provides a notable percentage of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant.
Good for Digestion: The dietary fiber in radishes can help prevent constipation and aid overall digestive health.
Antifungal Properties: Radishes contain an antifungal protein called RsAFP2, which has shown to be effective against Candida albicans, a common fungus.
Hydrating: With a high water content, radishes contribute to overall hydration.
Weight Management: Radishes are very low in calories, making them a great crunchy, guilt-free snack.

Comparison: Radish vs. High-Potassium Foods

To fully appreciate the low-potassium nature of radishes, it is helpful to compare their potassium content with some common high-potassium foods that are often restricted in specific diets.


Food Item	Serving Size	Approximate Potassium (mg)
Radish (raw, sliced)	1/2 cup (58 g)	135
Potato (baked, skin)	1 medium	941
Banana	1 medium	422
Spinach (cooked)	1/2 cup	420
Tomato Sauce	1/2 cup	549
Avocado	1/4 fruit	250

As the table illustrates, the potassium in a typical serving of radish is significantly lower than that of high-potassium foods like potatoes, bananas, and cooked spinach, making it a safe choice for those on a restricted diet.

Incorporating Radishes into a Low-Potassium Diet

Radishes are versatile and easy to add to meals. Here are some simple ideas:

Salads: Add thinly sliced radishes to salads for a peppery, crunchy texture.
Snacks: Enjoy raw radish slices with a low-sodium dip.
Sandwiches: Include sliced radishes on sandwiches or wraps for extra crunch.
Roasted: Radishes can be roasted with other low-potassium vegetables like carrots or bell peppers. Roasting mellows their flavor and brings out their sweetness.
Soups and Stews: Add radishes towards the end of cooking to maintain their crispness and flavor.

Tips for Reducing Potassium Further

For extremely strict diets, some techniques can further reduce the potassium in vegetables, a process known as leaching. This involves peeling and slicing the vegetable, soaking it in warm water for at least two hours, and then rinsing it before cooking. While generally unnecessary for a low-potassium vegetable like radish, it is an option for certain dietary needs.

Beyond Radishes: Other Low-Potassium Vegetables

If you're building a low-potassium diet, it helps to know other safe vegetable options:

Asparagus
Cabbage (green and red)
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Eggplant
Green beans
Kale
Lettuce
Onions
Peas
Peppers

These vegetables, along with radishes, provide a wide variety of flavors and nutrients without a high potassium load. Always remember to consult a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian for personalized dietary advice, especially concerning chronic conditions like kidney disease. Managing your potassium intake effectively through informed food choices is key to maintaining good health.

Conclusion

In summary, radishes are a low-potassium vegetable and an excellent addition to a healthy diet, particularly for individuals who need to monitor their potassium intake for conditions such as kidney disease. They offer a good source of Vitamin C, fiber, and other nutrients while being low in calories. By incorporating radishes and other low-potassium vegetables into your meals, you can maintain a balanced and flavorful diet while adhering to specific health-related dietary restrictions. Always prioritize consulting with a healthcare professional to determine the right dietary plan for your specific needs.

For more resources on low-potassium diets, visit the National Kidney Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

A half-cup (approx. 58 g) of sliced raw radishes contains about 135 mg of potassium. A larger, 100-gram serving contains around 233 mg.

Yes, radishes are a recommended vegetable for people with kidney disease because they are very low in both potassium and phosphorus.

High-potassium foods include bananas, potatoes, oranges, tomatoes, spinach, and dried fruits. These are often restricted in diets for conditions like hyperkalemia.

The potassium content in radishes is already low, so cooking is not necessary to reduce it further. However, boiling vegetables and discarding the water can leach out some potassium, a technique sometimes used for high-potassium vegetables.

Radishes are a good source of Vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. They also have a high water content and are very low in calories.

You can add radishes to salads, sandwiches, and wraps for a crunchy, peppery flavor. They can also be roasted to mellow their taste or thinly sliced as a snack.

Yes, other low-potassium vegetables include cucumber, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, and green beans. These can be used to add variety to a restricted diet.