The turnip (Brassica rapa) is a Brassica family vegetable from the same group of plants as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. The turnip is a staple food all across Europe and Asia and has traditionally played a significant role in providing energy to the diets of millions, who have relied on it as a staple crop. Like all Brassica family plants, the turnip contains glucosinolates and isothiocyanates (mainly 2-phenylethyl, 4-pentenyl, and 3-butenyl derivatives) that may be important anti-cancer agents. In addition, the turnip contains flavonoids, phenolics, indoles and volatiles that may provide significant health benefits to the consumer. In particular, studies suggest that the turnip may possess antitumor, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective effects. Turnips have good free radical scavenging ability on account of the flavonoids and phenolics, and this may provide significant general health effects against all Western lifestyle diseases.
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