Cauliflower is a mass of small and tightly packed flower heads, which grow from a thick central stem to form a single, round head, cupped by green leaves. It is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, that contains a huge amount of nutrients, including mineral, vitamins, phytochemicals and antioxidants.
What more cauliflower is a versatile vegetable, it can be eaten raw by adding it to salads or use in cooking. It can even be use for a healthier version of mashed potatoes.
Health Benefits of Cauliflower:
1. Digestive Support
Cauliflower contains over 9 grams of fiber for every 100 calories, which makes it a great digestive support. Also the sulforaphane made from a glucosinolate in cauliflower, or what is known as glucoraphanin, may help protect the lining of the stomach.
Sulforaphane provides this health benefit, by fighting the bacterial overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach or too much clinging of this bacterium to the stomach wall.
2. Cancer Prevention
Cauliflower has sulforaphane, a sulfur compound that has been proven to fight cancer stem cells, resulting to slow tumor growth. Some research have shown that removing cancer stem cells, may be the vital part to controlling cancer.
Research has shown that mixing cauliflower with curcumin, the active compound present in turmeric, may help prevent and treat prostate cancer.
3. Support Heart Health
Cauliflower contains sulforaphane. which is responsible for improving blood pressure and kidney function.
Cauliflower contains thiocyanates and glucosinolates, that help increase the liver’s ability to neutralise potentially toxic substances, which may lead to cancer.
Cauliflower can help lower the risk of inflammation-mediated diseases such as obesity, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and diabetes.
This is because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin K and glucosinolates or glucobrassicin, which is converted into an isothiocyanate molecule called indole-3-carbinol or ITC. I3C is an anti-inflammatory compound that prevents the initiation of inflammatory responses at during the early stage.
6. Rich in Antioxidants
Cauliflower contains carotenoids, that includes beta-carotene and phytonutrients, such as ferulic acid, kaempferol, caffeic acid and cinnamic acid. These antioxidants, help protects from free radical damage and reduce the risk for diseases caused by oxidative stress, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
7. Brain Health
Cauliflower helps support brain health, as it is a good source of choline, which is B vitamin which plays an important part in brain development. It may even prevent age-related memory decline and the brain’s vulnerability to toxins during childhood, as well as later in life.
8. Other Nutritional Benefits
Cauliflower are rich in vitamins B9 (folic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B5 (pantothenic acid), B3 (niacin), B2 (riboflavin) and B1 (thiamine). It is also a a good source of phosphorus, proteins and potassium. Cauliflower is also a good source of manganese and vitamin C, known as powerful antioxidants.
Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
5 garlic cloves
1 large cauliflower head
1/3 cup fresh herbs, (you may use basil or chives)
1. Chop cauliflower into bite-size pieces.
2. Peel garlic cloves and cut into half.
3. Steam garlic and cauliflower for at least 15 minutes or until both are tender enough.
4. Combine steamed garlic, cauliflower, fresh herbs and sea salt into a food processor or blender, until it is a mashed potato-like consistency. Alternatively, you can mash everything by hand, using a fork or potato masher.