The word “Cauliflower” is built on ancient words that mean "Cabbage (|Stem, Stalk, |Cole (of |ColeSlaw), Kale) + |Thrive, |Bloom (Flower)." #CauliflowerEar
1. Contains Many Nutrients
- Calories: 25
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Vitamin C: 77% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 20% of the RDI
- Vitamin B6: 11% of the RDI
- Folate: 14% of the RDI
- Pantothenic acid: 7% of the RDI
- Potassium: 9% of the RDI
- Manganese: 8% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 4% of the RDI
- Phosphorus: 4% of the RDI
Cauliflower is high in choline, an essential nutrient that many people are deficient in.
One cup of cauliflower contains 45 mg of choline, which is about 11% of the adequate intake (AI) for women and 8% for men (1, 22).
Choline has several important functions in the body.
To begin with, it plays a major role in maintaining the integrity of cell membranes, synthesizing DNA and supporting metabolism (
23
,
24 ).Choline is also involved in brain development and the production of neurotransmitters that are necessary for a healthy nervous system. What’s more, it helps prevent cholesterol from accumulating in the liver (
24 ).Those who don’t consume enough choline may have a higher risk of liver and heart disease, in addition to neurological disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s (
25 ,26 ).Not many foods contain choline. Cauliflower, along with broccoli, is one of the best plant-based sources of the nutrient.
SUMMARY:Cauliflower is a good source of choline, a nutrient many people are lacking. It is involved in many processes in the body and works to prevent several diseases.
Cauliflower contains sulforaphane, an extensively studied antioxidant.
Many test-tube and animal studies have found sulforaphane to be particularly helpful for suppressing cancer development by inhibiting enzymes that are involved in cancer and tumor growth (
27 ,28 ,29 ).According to some studies, sulforaphane may also have the potential to stop cancer growth by destroying cells that are already damaged (
27 ,28 ,29 ).Sulforaphane appears to be most protective against colon and prostate cancer but has also been studied for its effects on many other cancers, such as breast, leukemia, pancreatic and melanoma (
29 ).Research shows that sulforaphane may also help reduce high blood pressure and keep arteries healthy — both major factors in preventing heart disease (
30 ).Finally, animal studies suggest that sulforaphane may also play a role in diabetes prevention and reducing the risk of diabetes-induced complications, such as kidney disease (
30 ).While more research is necessary to determine the extent of sulforaphane’s effects in humans, its potential health benefits are promising.
SUMMARY:Cauliflower is rich is sulforaphane, a plant compound with many beneficial effects, such as reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Cauliflower is incredibly versatile and can be used to replace grains and legumes in your diet.
Not only is this a fantastic way to increase your veggie intake, but it is also especially helpful for those who follow low-carb diets.
This is because cauliflower is significantly lower in carbs than grains and legumes.
For example, a cup of cauliflower contains 5 grams of carbs. At the same time, a cup of rice contains 45 grams of carbs — nine times the amount of cauliflower (31, 1).
Here are some examples of recipes that can be made with cauliflower instead of grains and legumes:
- Cauliflower rice: Replace white or brown rice with cauliflower that has been grated and then cooked, as in this recipe.
- Cauliflower pizza crust: By pulsing cauliflower in a food processor and then making it into a dough, such as in this recipe, you can make a delicious pizza.
- Cauliflower hummus: Chickpeas can be replaced with cauliflower in hummus recipes like this one.
- Cauliflower mash: Instead of making mashed potatoes, try this recipe for a low-carb cauliflower mash that is easy to make.
- Cauliflower tortillas: Combine pulsed cauliflower with eggs to make low-carb tortillas that can be used for wraps, taco shells or burritos, as in this recipe.
- Cauliflower mac and cheese: Cooked cauliflower can be combined with milk, cheese and spices to make mac and cheese, like in this recipe.
SUMMARY:Cauliflower can replace grains and legumes in many recipes, which is a great way to eat more veggies or follow a low-carb diet.
Comments
Post a Comment
I appreciate your comment, and I'll probably approve it & publish it soon (give me about a week before you try to post it again when it doesn't publish immediately ... thanks)