22 Amazing Benefits of Cauliflowers
Cauliflower is an edible vegetable that belongs to the genus Brassica of the Brassicaceae family and is cultivated in many regions around the world. It is available in many varieties, but the four major groups are- Italian, North European Annuals, Northwest Europen Biennial, and Asian.
It provides several health and beauty benefits due to the presence of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fibers, etc.
Health Benefits of Cauliflower
Some major health benefits of cauliflowers are as follows.
(1) Protection Against Various Cancers
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in cauliflower protects our cells and tissues from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, intestinal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer, etc.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
Sulforaphane present in the cauliflower inhibits the growth of cancer cells, and thus protects against cancer.
As per researchers, taking cauliflower along with curcumin (a powerful antioxidantal compound in turmeric) significantly reduces the risk of prostate cancer.
(2) Maintains Cholesterol Level
Dietary fibers in cauliflower minimize LDL cholesterol in the body, and thus reduces the risk of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a condition that leads to hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits within the arterial walls and is a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease, etc.
(3) Regulates High Blood Pressure
Cauliflower contains potassium, a natural vasodilator that relaxes our blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and thus provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure.
Hypertension or high blood pressure is the silent killer that affects millions of people around the world and increases the risk of several cardiovascular and other health problems like severe headaches, nosebleed, fatigue, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, difficulty in breathing, blood in urine, heart attack and heart stroke, etc.
Sulforaphane in cauliflower also contributes to blood pressure regulation.
(4) Keeps Our Cardiovascular System Healthy
Cauliflower improves our cardiovascular health.
Vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in cauliflower protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Dietary fibers in it minimize LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis which is a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems.
Cauliflower also contains potassium that regulates high blood pressure and minimizes the risk of several cardiovascular and other health problems.
Sulforaphane in cauliflower improves kidney functions, regulates blood pressure, and further improves our cardiovascular health.
Other nutrients like iron, magnesium, and zinc, etc in cauliflower also play a significant role in strengthening our cardiovascular system.
(5) Provides Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Anti-inflammatory compounds like vitamin C and Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) etc present in the cauliflower provide relief from pain and inflammation caused by inflammatory problems like arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatoid, gouts, asthma, and bronchial asthma.
(6) Improves Neurological Health
Cauliflower improves our neurological health because of its rich nutritious profile.
Vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in cauliflower protects our brain cells or the neurons from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.
Vitamin B4 (Choline) in cauliflower improves brain activity and keeps it healthy.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium and B vitamins, etc in the cauliflower also improves our neurological health as they provide several cognitive benefits like a sharper memory, improved concentration, enhanced focus, reduced mental confusion, etc.
(7) Aids With Detoxification
The detoxifying properties of the dietary fibers in cauliflower eliminates toxins, pollutants, impurities, and other unwanted substances from our body, and prevents them from causing damage to our health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, sulfur compounds like sulforaphane, and abundance of water ( around 92 percent) in cauliflower also helps with the detoxification process.
(8) Improves Digestive Health
Cauliflower is good for the stomach and improves our digestive health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in cauliflower protect our digestive system from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of colon cancer, stomach cancer, intestinal cancer, and pancreatic cancer, etc.
The laxative properties of dietary fibers in cauliflower improves bowel movement, ensures smooth elimination of stool, and thus relieve constipation and other gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc.
Sulforaphane in cauliflower inhibits the growth of Helicobacter Pylori bacteria in the stomach and prevents it from causing damage to our digestive system.
Consume cauliflower in moderation as a high level of sulfur compounds in it may cause gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.
(9) Strengthens Immunity
Our immune system is the defense mechanism of the body that aids in the prevention and treatment of various microbial infections, diseases, and as well as injuries, and wounds.
Vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in cauliflower protect white blood cells or the immune cells from free radical damage, and thus strengthens our immunity.
With stronger immunity, our risk of getting a cough, cold, fever, and flu, etc diminishes automatically.
Vitamin C enhances the production of white blood cells, and further strengthens our immune system.
Other nutrients like iron, potassium, choline, magnesium, and manganese, etc also contribute to better immune health.
(10) Regulates Blood Sugar Level
With a low glycemic index of 10, cauliflower slowly releases sugar into the bloodstream, prevents a sudden spike in the blood sugar level, and thus aids in managing diabetes.
Dietary fibers in cauliflower slow down sugar absorption by the bloodstream, and thus regulates blood sugar level.
Consume cauliflower in moderation as excessive intake may drop the blood sugar to an abnormally low level giving rise to hypoglycemia with symptoms such as shakiness, dizziness, sweating, hunger, fast heartbeat, and irritability.
If you are on diabetic medication, then consult with your doctor before adding cauliflower to your diet to avoid the risk of food-drug intolerance.
(11) Good For Pregnant Women
Essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, etc make cauliflower beneficial during pregnancy.
Vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols etc in cauliflower protect the uterus and the fetus developing in the womb from free radical damage.
Folate or folic acid in it promotes the brain development of the fetus and minimizes the risk of neural tube defects and spina bifida.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, choline, and manganese, etc also play an important role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
As it has a low glycemic index of 10, it regulates blood sugar and minimizes the risk of gestational diabetes.
Consult your doctor before adding cauliflower to your diet to avoid food-drug intolerance and ensure the safety of both pregnant women and the fetus developing in them.
(12) Strengthens Our Bones And Teeth
Calcium strengthens our bones and teeth due to the presence of bone-strengthening minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, etc in it.
Calcium is a vital mineral for the growth and development of the bones, and lack of this mineral may give rise to bone disorders like osteoporosis.
Potassium in cauliflower neutralizes acid load, reduces calcium loss from bones, and improves bone density.
Magnesium, zinc, and vitamin K in cauliflower also strengthens bone density, and thus improves bone health.
(13) Promotes Weight Loss
Eating 100 grams of cauliflower provides 25 calories of energy. Because of its low calorific value, it is suited for individuals who are on a weight loss journey and would like to get rid of some extra pounds.
Dietary fibers in cauliflower provide stomach satiety, control urges to eat again and again, and thus controls overeating which is a major cause of obesity.
The abundance of water (around 92 percent) in cauliflower also contributes to weight management as it controls overeating, improves metabolism and digestion, and helps with the absorption of nutrients.
(14) Good Source Of Vitamin K
Cauliflower contains Vitamin K, a vital nutrient that performs many important functions in our body. Some of these functions are- regulates blood clotting, increases bone density, prevents calcification of arteries and other soft tissues, and maintains cardiovascular health, etc.
Beauty Benefits Of Cauliflower For Skin
Some major beauty benefits of cauliflower for the skin are as follows.
(1) Aids In Treating Acne
Cauliflower helps in the treatment of skin problems like acne and pimples.
Acne is a common skin problem that primarily occurs due to the clogging up of skin pores by the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, impurities, dirt, and other unwanted substances.
Because of its detoxifying properties, dietary fibers in cauliflower eliminates toxins, pollutants, impurities, and other unwanted substances from our system.
When there are fewer toxins, they are less likely to accumulate within the skin pores, and thus minimizes the risk of acne and pimples.
Dietary fibers also control the secretion of excess oil from skin glands and prevent acne from worsening.
(2) Protects Against UV Rays
Prolonged exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun may damage the skin, and give rise to wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and solar elastosis.
Vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in the cauliflower protects our skin from ill effects of the harmful UV rays of the sun and minimizes the risk of skin cancer.
Topical application of raw cauliflower helps in treating skin burn and suntan etc.
(3) Keeps Premature Ageing At Bay
Cauliflower contains antioxidants like vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc that protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage, and minimizes various signs of premature aging like fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dark spots, and skin blemishes, etc.
(4) Lightens Skin Tone
Cauliflower improves our skin health due to the presence of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, etc.
These nutrients nourish our skin, improves skin health, and make it soft, supple, and radiant.
Antioxidants and relevant compounds in cauliflower protect our skin from free radical damage and helps in bringing out the natural glow of the skin. It improves skin pigmentation and lightens skin tone.
(5) Provides Nourishment And Moisturization To Our Skin
Because of its high water content (around 92 percent), cauliflower is a wonderful skin moisturizer that moisturizes our skin and prevents skin dryness.
Essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, etc in the cauliflower nourishes our skin and improves skin health.
Beauty Benefits Of Cauliflower For Hair
Following are the major beauty benefits of cauliflower for hair.
(1) Prevents Premature Greying Of Hair
Vitamin C and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in cauliflower protects our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage, and prevents premature greying of hair, hair loss, dry hair and split ends, etc.
(2) Promotes Hair Growth
Vital nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, etc in cauliflower nourish our hair follicles and scalp and make them healthy.
It also contains iron and potassium that improves blood circulation in the scalp and keeps it healthy.
Antioxidants and relevant compounds in cauliflower protect our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage, improves scalp health.
A healthy scalp ensures proper growth and development of new hair follicles.
(3) Reduces Hair Loss
Cauliflower contains several essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients and polyphenols, etc that nourish our hair follicles and scalp and keep them healthy.
Antioxidants and relevant compounds in it protects our hair follicles and scalp from free radical damage and strengthens our hair follicles.
When hair follicles are stronger, the risk of hair fall diminishes automatically.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, and magnesium, etc also contribute to minimizing hair loss.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about the topic, and should not be taken as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice treatment or diagnosis. Always consult with your doctor before trying out any of the remedies/recipes suggested in the blog post.
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