Cauliflower is a vegetable belonging to the cruciferous family of vegetables known to be a superfood owing to its high nutritional content. Let’s take a look at all of the nutrition facts and amazing health benefits of cauliflower
Nutrition Facts (1)
The nutrition facts for 100 g of raw cauliflower are:
- Calories: 25
- Vitamins such as choline (45.2 mg), vitamin A (13.0 IU), K (16.0 mcg), Folate (57.0 mcg)
- Various minerals such as potassium (303 mg), zinc (0.3 mg), magnesium (15.0 mg), iron (0.4 mg) and calcium (22.0 mg)
- Proteins, carbohydrates
- Fiber: 2,5 g
- Water: 91.9 g
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Phytonutrients with antioxidant properties such as isothiocyanates, carotenoids, glucosinolates, and sulforaphane
Cauliflower can be consumed either in the raw, juiced, steamed or roasted forms availing the above nutrients into the body.
Cauliflower Health Benefits
Fighting cancer
The antioxidant properties of cauliflower when consumed helps in fighting a number of different cancers within the body such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate, colon, lung pancreatic and liver cancer. The antioxidants and vitamins in cauliflower help in inhibiting the formation of free radicals in the body as a result of oxidative stress which is often linked to cancer development.
Glucosinolates in cauliflower help in preventing cancer development within the body by aiding in the repair of damaged DNA which can cause cancer. They also help in the shrinking of already developed cancer cells thus reducing cancer cell proliferation.
Other phytonutrients such as sulforaphane help in slowing down and inhibiting the activity of enzymes responsible for cancer modulation within the body preventing the progression of cancer. Sulforaphane, like glucosinolates, also help in shrinking already developed tumors.
Boosting brainpower
Cauliflower is rich in choline, a type of vitamin that aids the development of the brain, and the neurotransmission of nerve impulses to the brain. Choline is also responsible for quality sleep which improves cognitive function and memory even in patients suffering from memory loss.
Reducing inflammation
The vast nutrients in cauliflower and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help in fighting a number of health conditions associated with pain and inflammation by suppressing the activity of immune – mediating inflammatory cytokines within the body and also by reducing pain neurotransmission to the brain. This helps in alleviating and treating symptoms of inflammation associated with diseases such s cancer, arthritis, neurodegenerative brain diseases such as Alhezemia’s disease.
The bottom line
Cauliflower is also known to improve heart health, strengthen bones and improve overall digestion. Apart from causing some minimal gastrointestinal disturbance, cauliflower is known to be safe and it is recommended to include it in the diet for the amazing cauliflower benefits.
