Cauliflower : superfoods and nutritional values

Do you know what are the health benefits of cauliflower? Or this type of vegetable called flower in some Arab countries? Learn about all this and more in the following article!

Cauliflower is a type of vegetable that belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family. It is rich in antioxidants and many other important nutrients that make cauliflower many and varied health benefits.

Cauliflower is considered one of the natural superfoods, so let's get to know it more from here.

Benefits of cauliflower

The consumption of vegetables and fruits in general is considered to be a matter of health with many benefits, especially when it comes to reducing the chances of developing many diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

1- Promote digestion

Cauliflower contains large amounts of dietary fiber and water, which are important in:

Prevention of constipation.

Maintaining the health of the digestive system in general.

Reducing chances of colon cancer.

Studies have found that fiber, in particular, is of great importance in maintaining the health of the immune system and reducing the chances of contracting diseases caused by various infections, and reducing the chances of contracting the following diseases in particular:

Coronary heart disease.

clots

Hypertension.

diabetes.

Obesity.

Various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Eating large doses of fiber also lowers cholesterol and lowers high blood pressure.

2- Fighting cancer

The reason for this is due to the following:

Cauliflower contains antioxidants that help prevent mutations in cells and reduce any harmful oxidation in them that may be caused by free radicals.

Cauliflower contains a special type of antioxidant called (Indole-3-carbinol), which is found in vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, and it was found to reduce the chances of breast cancer and cancers of the reproductive organs.

Studies by scientists over the past 30 years have linked eating vegetables from the cruciferous family to lower chances of colon and lung cancer.

Studies have found that sulfur-containing compounds (which give cauliflower its distinctive taste) have the potential to fight cancer, particularly skin, prostate and pancreatic cancer.

3 Enhancing mental abilities

Cauliflower contains an important nutrient, choline, which helps improve:

sleep quality.

muscle movement.

Learning skills and memory.

Transmission of nerve signals.

fat absorption.

Reducing chronic infections.

4- Strengthening the bones

Cauliflower contains vitamin K, the deficiency of which is linked to bone problems in general, as this may increase the chances of developing bone fractures and osteoporosis. While consuming vitamin K in sufficient quantities helps to strengthen the bones by:

Correction of the matrix of proteins present in the bones.

Improve calcium absorption and reduce its excretion through urine.

5- Improve blood circulation

Cauliflower is rich in dietary fiber, which generally helps reduce the chances of problems with the circulatory system and blood circulation.

It is worth noting that people who take calcium supplements may be susceptible to calcium accumulation in blood vessels, unless vitamin K is taken with it, of which cauliflower is a source.

Cauliflower nutritional value

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1 cup of raw, chopped cauliflower contains:

27 calories.

2 grams of protein.

0.3 grams of fat.

5g of carbohydrates, including 2.1g of fiber and 2g of sugar.

24 mg of calcium.

16 mg of magnesium.

47 mg of phosphorous.

320 mg of potassium.

51.6 mg of vitamin C.

16.6 mcg of vitamin K.

0g 197mcg of vitamin B6.

61 mcg of folic acid.

A full cup of broccoli provides:

77% of the daily value of vitamin C.

20% of the daily share of vitamin K.

10% of the daily value of vitamin B6 and folic acid.

Cauliflower also contains small amounts of thiamine, niacin, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and manganese.

Warnings and risks about cauliflower

Eating cauliflower may have unwanted side effects, especially when consumed in excess, such as:

Bloating and flatulence, so whoever starts eating cauliflower or any type of vegetable rich in fiber is advised to gradually increase his dose of it so that his digestive system gets used to it.

Blood clotting or the formation of clots. Taking large doses of vitamin K may cause problems for people who take blood-thinning medications, because vitamin K naturally works by blood clotting.