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Unquestionably, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables significantly benefits our health. Similar benefits can be gained from this one member of the cruciferous (Brassicaceae) family of vegetables: cauliflower. This versatile vegetable can be eaten raw or cooked and is widely grown worldwide. It can also be added to soups and salads as an ingredient. According to the Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (ANDI) of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, cauliflower is among the top 25 fruits and vegetables.
One exciting thing about cauliflower is that it comes in various colours besides white. Although orange cauliflower has a 25-fold higher vitamin A concentration than white cauliflower, it tastes comparable. The purple hue in cauliflower results from a rich antioxidant pigment called anthocyanins, which is also present in red cabbage. Last but not least is green cauliflower, a hybrid of broccoli and cauliflower that tastes sweeter than white cauliflower. Read more to know about the benefits of the vegetable.
5 Cauliflower Health Benefits To Know About
1. It Is Abundant In vitamin C
Your immune system is fortified by vitamin C, which gives your body the tools to fend off infections and viruses. Furthermore, vitamin C has potent antioxidant properties and actively fights oxidative damage. An outstanding source of vitamin C is cauliflower. The National Institutes of Health recommends consuming 75–90 mg of vitamin C daily. A single cup of this vegetable has an incredible 53 milligrams of vitamin C.
2. It Is High In Dietary Fibre
The high fibre content of cauliflower is good for your health. Fibre replenishes the good bacteria in your stomach. This bacterium may aid in the body's reduction of inflammation. If the digestive system is to operate healthily, the gut must also be sufficiently filled with beneficial bacteria.
Additional health advantages of dietary fibre have been connected. Research indicates that eating a diet rich in high-fibre foods, including cauliflower, may help lessen your chance of acquiring long-term conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
3. It Has An Abundant Supply Of Antioxidants
When your body is exposed to contaminants like processed food and contaminated air, it produces free radicals. A certain amount of free radicals is good for your body, but too much can lead to health issues like inflammation and premature ageing.
Antioxidants aid the body's defence against free radicals. Their hard work is maintaining a healthy balance of free radicals in your body. By doing this, they can help combat inflammation and avert long-term illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
3. It Is An Excellent Source Of Choline
One nutrient that is necessary for optimal health is choline. However, choline insufficiency is regrettably somewhat frequent. According to research, choline is used by the body to maintain the integrity of cell membranes. In addition to being essential for proper brain function, choline aids in the body's production of neurotransmitters that support the upkeep of a healthy nervous system. This vitamin also aids in preventing the buildup of cholesterol in the liver. Since cauliflower is one of the best plant-based sources of choline, it is beneficial to your health.
4. It Promotes Healthy Weight Reduction
One of cauliflower's many health advantages is its capacity to help with weight loss and control, both of which improve general well-being. This cruciferous vegetable is low in calories, with only 27.5 calories per cup. Water makes up more than 90% of its weight; research indicates that a diet rich in calorie-dense, high-water meals will help you healthily lose weight.
Also, cauliflower has a lot of fibre. Fibre can increase feelings of fullness by slowing down the digestive process. Eating cauliflower can help with weight loss since it has a high fibre content and makes you feel full after a meal. Due to this fullness sensation, you will find it easier to cut back on your daily calorie intake.
5. It Is Excellent Low-carb Replacement
Compared to potatoes, cereals, and beans, cauliflower has comparatively fewer carbs. Cauliflower is good for you if you follow a low-carb diet, like the ketogenic diet. It works well as a stand-in for certain high-carb items in recipes.
Cauliflower rice, just cauliflower processed to resemble white rice, is one substitute for rice. Mashed cauliflower can be mashed in place of potatoes. It's creamy. When creating pizza crust, cauliflower can be substituted for flour; the resulting crust tastes just as excellent as the original. Cauliflower can also make low-carb variations of foods like mac & cheese, tortillas, and hummus.
Add more of this nutrient-dense food to your diet now that you know all the health benefits of cauliflower. Eat it stir-fried or uncooked. Instead, try steaming the cauliflower or using it in your pizza dough. Every component in this nutritious vegetable will promote your well-being, regardless of how you prepare cauliflower.
