Know2eat

Wasabi root

Eutrema japonicum

What wasabi root has been studied for

1 association assessed — none with dependable human evidence behind them yet. Strongest first.

  • 1 Insufficient
3 things to know first — allergies, interactions and intake limits

About wasabi root

The grated rhizome of a semi-aquatic Japanese brassica, served in very small amounts alongside raw fish. Its pungency is volatile and fades within minutes of grating, which is why it is prepared to order.

Also known as Japanese horseradish, Hon-wasabi, Sawa wasabi

Inflammation

The evidence in depth

Best supported: Insufficient

What each association actually rests on, and the papers behind it. A rating describes the state of the research, not how impressive the food is. How we rate evidence.

Inflammatory markers

Inflammation
Insufficient evidence

Isothiocyanates from wasabi are active in laboratory models of inflammation, and the plant appears in a large number of cell-culture papers. No human trial has fed real wasabi rhizome and measured an inflammatory marker, and the realistic portion is tiny.

Insufficient evidence. Not enough human research to say anything useful yet.

1 source

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Ask about Wasabi root

Ask about Wasabi root

Answers are written only from the entries on this page — the same nutrients, compounds, claims and citations you can read above. Nothing is added from outside the database, and every answer lists what it was built from.

AI explanations are not switched on for this site, so there is nothing to ask here. Everything above is read straight from the database and does not need them.

Key nutrients

Nutrient content per 100 grams
NutrientAmount% DV
Macronutrients
Calories109 kcal5%
Protein4.8 g10%
Total fat0.63 g1%
Carbohydrate23.5 g9%
Fibre7.8 g28%
Water69.1 g—
Fats
Cholesterol0 mg0%
Vitamins
Vitamin A2 µg0%
Vitamin C41.9 mg47%
Vitamin D0 µg0%
Thiamin (B1)0.131 mg11%
Riboflavin (B2)0.114 mg9%
Niacin (B3)0.743 mg5%
Pantothenic acid (B5)0.203 mg4%
Vitamin B60.274 mg16%
Folate18 µg5%
Vitamin B120 µg0%
Minerals
Calcium128 mg10%
Iron1.03 mg6%
Magnesium69 mg16%
Phosphorus80 mg6%
Potassium568 mg12%
Sodium17 mg1%
Zinc1.62 mg15%
Copper0.155 mg17%
Manganese0.391 mg17%
Other measured compounds
Beta-carotene21 µg—
Alpha-carotene0 µg—
Ash1.92 g—

Nutrient values are per 100 g of the USDA reference entry named on this page and vary with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

Source record: Wasabi, root, raw (USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 168583).

% DV uses the FDA Daily Values for adults and children aged 4 and over. A dash means no Daily Value has been established for that nutrient.

Bioactive compounds

Compounds present in meaningful amounts. Presence is banded rather than quantified, because whole-food levels vary enormously with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

How preparation changes things

Only effects with real support are listed. If a preparation method is missing, it is because nothing dependable is documented — not because it makes no difference.

  • crushedIncreases allyl isothiocyanate

    Grating on a fine surface ruptures the most cells and gives the highest isothiocyanate yield. The compound then volatilises quickly, which is why the paste is made immediately before serving.

Things to know

Allergies, interactions and intake concerns. Every food gets this section — a reference where everything is uniformly good is not a reference.

  • Worth knowing

    Most wasabi sold is not wasabi

    The great majority of wasabi paste outside Japan is horseradish, mustard powder and green colouring. Its composition is not the same as the rhizome described on this page, and the USDA record here cannot be read across to it.

  • Worth knowing

    Airway and mucous membrane irritation

    Allyl isothiocyanate is a potent irritant of the nose and eyes. That is the intended sensory effect in a small amount, but larger quantities can cause genuine coughing and burning, and inhaling the vapour is unpleasant rather than harmful.

  • Worth knowing

    Portions are far too small to contribute nutrition

    Wasabi is eaten by the teaspoon at most. Whatever the composition per hundred grams says, the contribution of a realistic serving to daily nutrient intake is negligible.