There is no such thing as over-emphasizing how beneficial vegetables are to our health and overall well-being. Cauliflower is broken or cut into florets and eaten raw or cooked most commonly in soups and stir-fries. These beautiful flower-heads are brimming with essential nutrients. Here are some benefits of adding cauliflower to your plate.
1. Cauliflower is nutrient-dense
It is packed with a wide range of nutrients. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. It has Vitamins C, K, and B6. It has folate, pantothenic acid, potassium, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus, zinc, sodium, and choline. All these nutrients offer a host of benefits.
It has vitamin C which in addition to supporting immunity is needed for DNA repair and the production of collagen and serotonin. Serotonin promotes happiness and healthy sleep. Vitamins K and C promote bone health with vitamin C playing an important role in the production of collagen which protects joints and bones from inflammatory damage and can even help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin K attracts calcium to the bone which helps in preventing bone loss. Calcium also strengthens teeth. Vitamin K also regulates blood clotting and maintains cardiovascular health.
2. High in fibre promoting digestive health and weight loss
Cauliflower has a high fibre content which is beneficial for overall health. Fibre feeds the healthy bacteria in your gut reducing inflammation and promoting digestive health. It promotes bowel regularity, improves bowel movement, ensures smooth elimination of stool and relieves constipation. It also reduces gas, bloating and flatulence.
Consuming fibre may help prevent digestive conditions like constipation and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, consuming too much of it may have the opposite effect in certain people of causing gas, bloating, and abdominal pain because of the high sulfur compounds. If you have a thyroid issue you need to minimize your intake of cauliflower. If you are on blood-thinning medication you may also need to confirm with your doctor if you can partake of this vegetable.
Studies show that vegetables that are high in fibre lower the risk of several illnesses including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Fibre may also help in obesity prevention because of its ability to promote the feeling of fullness and reduce overall calorie intake. It delays the return of hunger and helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. Cauliflower is high in fibre and water but low in calories. In this way, cauliflower supports healthy weight loss. Eating cauliflower in place of white rice can seriously displace calories without needing to sacrifice volume or quantity.
3. Rich in antioxidants, reducing inflammation and the risk of cancer and heart disease
Anti-oxidants protect your body from free radicals and inflammation. It is rich in antioxidants that are known to reduce inflammation and protect against several chronic illnesses. Its anti-inflammatory effects boost immune health and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Vitamin C which cauliflower is rich in acts as an antioxidant. The antioxidants and free radicals in cauliflower also slow the ageing process thus keeping you looking younger.
It is also rich in sulforaphane which is also an antioxidant. It is helpful for suppressing cancer development and inhibiting enzymes involved in cancer and tumour growth. It may also help reduce high blood pressure and keep arteries healthy, both of which prevent heart disease. It may also play a role in diabetes prevention and reducing the risk of diabetes-induced complications such as kidney disease. Sulforaphane helps in ageing and has been shown to protect the brain and nervous function and slow age-related cognitive decline. It also shields delicate tissues in the eye from oxidative stress which can lead to serious vision issues like cataracts, macular degeneration, and even loss of sight.
4. High in choline
Choline is an essential nutrient that is not found in many foods and that has several key functions in the body. It plays a major role in maintaining the integrity of cell membranes, synthesizing DNA, and supporting metabolism. It is also involved in the development of the brain and a healthy nervous system. It helps prevent cholesterol from accumulating in the liver thus reducing the risk of liver and heart disease as well as neurological disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Cauliflower and broccoli are the best sources of choline.
5. Helps you detox
Compounds present in cauliflower are involved in the detoxification process. Detoxification here means helping to deactivate potentially damaging chemicals and/or shuttle them out of the body quicker.
6. Good for pregnant women
This nutrient-packed vegetable contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are beneficial during pregnancy. Vitamin C and other antioxidants protect the uterus and the fetus from free radical damage. Folate or folic acid in cauliflower promotes brain development of the fetus and minimizes the risk of neural tube defects and spina bifida. Parenting: Nine Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy
7. May help with hormonal imbalance
It contains a compound that acts as a plant estrogen and may help balance hormones. It does this by lessening the abnormal levels of estrogen. Excess estrogen has been connected to health problems such as autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue, ovarian cancer, and hypothyroidism.
8. Easy to add to your diet
Cauliflower is readily available. It’s versatile and requires very little preparation. It can be consumed raw or cooked in a variety of simple ways such as steaming, roasting, or sautéing. It combines well with dishes like soups, stir-fries, and salads.
This nutrient-dense vegetable’s benefits are far-reaching from the promotion of brain development to reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease while boosting overall immunity. It’s easy to prepare to boot. Make cauliflower a regular on your plate.
As you add some healthy options, here are 7 Health Benefits Of Broccoli
