The Top 6 Health Benefits of Cauliflower
Cauliflower is an extremely healthy vegetable that's a significant source of nutrients.
It also contains unique plant compounds that may reduce the risk of several diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
Additionally, it's weight loss friendly and incredibly easy to add to your diet.
Here are 6 science-based benefits of cauliflower.
1. Nutrients
Cauliflower is very low in calories yet high in vitamins. In fact, cauliflower contains some of almost every vitamin and mineral that you need.
- calories;
- fiber;
- vitamin C;
- vitamin K;
- vitamin B6;
- folate;
- pantothenic acid;
- potassium;
- manganese;
- magnesium;
- phosphorus.
2. High in Fiber
Cauliflower is quite high in fiber, which is beneficial for overall health.
There are 3 grams of fiber in one cup of cauliflower, which is 10% of daily needs.
Fiber is important because it feeds the healthy bacteria in your gut that help reduce inflammation and promote digestive health.
Consuming enough fiber may help prevent digestive conditions like constipation, diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
3. Good Source of Antioxidants
Similar to other cruciferous vegetables, cauliflower is particularly high in glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, two groups of antioxidants that have been shown to slow the growth of cancer cells.
Cauliflower contains carotenoid and flavonoid antioxidants as well, which have anti-cancer effects and may reduce the risk of several other illnesses, including heart disease.
4. High in Choline
One cup of cauliflower contains 45 mg of choline, which is about 11% of the adequate intake (AI) for women and 8% for men.
Choline has several important functions in the body.
It plays a major role in maintaining the integrity of cell membranes, synthesizing DNA and supporting metabolism.
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.
Output
It is a great source of nutrients, including a few that many people need more of.
Plus, cauliflower contains unique antioxidants that may reduce inflammation and protect against several diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
What's more, cauliflower is easy to add your diet. It's tasty, easy to prepare and can replace high-carb foods in several recipes.