How Cauliflower Promotes a Healthy Lifestyle
Nutrient Content (1 cup)
Vitamins
Excellent Source of:
- Vitamin C – 77%
- Vitamin K – 20%
Good Source of:
- Folate – 14%
- Vitamin B6 – 11%
Also a Source of:
- Pantothenic Acid – 7%
- Thiamin – 4%
- Riboflavin – 4%
- Niacin – 3%
Minerals
Source of:
- Potassium – 9%
- Manganese – 8%
- Magnesium – 4%
- Phosphorus – 4%
Other
A Source of:
- Fiber – 10%
- Protein – 4%
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- Omega 6 Fatty Acids
*All nutritional Info From (1)
How Cauliflower Prevents Chronic Disease
Cauliflower contains beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that make it a great resource for chronic disease prevention.
How Cauliflower Prevents Cancer
Cauliflower is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that prevent harmful free radicals from damaging bodily systems and tissues. As free radicals grow in number, they can create cancer cells that spread and proliferate throughout the body. This is often described as oxidative stress. Antioxidants help prevent cancer by neutralizing free radicals and the cancer they can cause, and by promoting cancer cell death (apoptosis), halting gene expression, and limiting damage to the body. (2)
Cauliflower is rich in sulfur compounds like glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. These two groups of antioxidants are essential for slowing the growth rate of cancer cells. (3, 4)
Moreover, these antioxidant groups have been shown to prevent lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancers, specifically. (4)
Cauliflower also contains carotenoid and flavonoid antioxidant groups, which have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. (5)
Cauliflower is high in vitamin C. Vitamin C has been shown to reduce chronic inflammation and reduce risk of cancers. (6)
In addition to all the antioxidants listed, cauliflower contains sulforaphane. Sulforaphane has been shown, in many studies, to inhibit the growth of cancer cells by suppressing enzymatic activity in tumors. (7, 8)
Some studies even show that sulforaphane can inhibit cancer cells by destroying already compromised cells and tissues. (9)
How Cauliflower Prevents Cardiovascular Disease
Cauliflower’s nutrient content can help prevent the development of heart disease. In conjunction with their ability to prevent cancer, carotenoids and flavonoids may also reduce your risk of heart disease. Vitamin C similarly defends against both cancer and heart disease. (10, 11)
Sulforaphane has also been shown to reduce blood pressure and preserve the integrity of the blood vessels. This is essential for preventing heart disease. (12)
Cauliflower is also high in choline, a nutrient in which many individuals are deficient. Choline is very important for the prevention of cholesterol buildup. As a result, individuals who don’t have enough choline face a higher risk of heart disease long-term. (13)
How Cauliflower Prevents Diabetes
Cauliflower has beneficial effects that aid in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. One of cauliflower’s beneficial nutrients is fiber. Fiber helps control blood sugar spikes. Fiber also keeps you fuller for a longer period of time. As a result, you will not eat as much and will therefore reduce your caloric intake. Ultimately, both of these factors minimize risk of type 2 diabetes: reducing chronic blood sugar spikes and caloric intake. (14)
One study found that the sulforaphane in cauliflower reduces risk of diabetes, as it helps prevent chronic inflammation. In this study, type 1 diabetic mice were treated with sulforaphane; it alleviated health complications in those mice. (15)
Cauliflower Promotes a Number of Health Benefits
How Cauliflower Promotes Digestive Health
Fiber is important for digestive health because it helps nourish the healthy bacteria in your gut, which can then help prevent chronic inflammation. Studies have shown that cauliflower can help prevent digestive conditions like constipation and inflammatory bowel disease. (16)
How Cauliflower Promotes Neurological Health
Cauliflower is rich in choline, a neuroprotective nutrient. Choline plays an important role in brain development and the production of neurotransmitters. A study showed that individuals deficient in choline are at a higher risk of neurological conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. (17)
How Cauliflower Promotes Weight Loss
Fiber keeps you fuller for a longer period of time, so you may consume less food and avoid less nutrient rich food during meals. Weight loss typically accompanies reductions in caloric intake. In addition, cauliflower is very easy to add to meals and is significantly lower in carbohydrates than grains and legumes. (18)
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