7 Health Benefits of Cauliflower

Start reaping these seven Health Benefits of Cauliflower today. Cauliflower is the perfect vegetable to use if you want to eliminate carbs in pizza crust or mashed potatoes. This amazing cruciferous vegetable is filling, nutrient-rich, and has very few calories.

Lately, we have been warned to stay away from white foods. The grain-refining process used in pasta and white bread removes the bran and germ parts of the grain. This lowers B vitamin and fiber content, so there is nothing wrong in avoiding these foods that lack nutrients. Cauliflower, on the other hand, is one white food that has some significant benefits for your health. A one-cup serving of cauliflower contains:

• 29 calories;
• close to zero grams of fat, sodium, and sugar;
• 73% daily value (DV) of Vitamin C;
• 19% DV of Vitamin K;
• 15% DV of folate;
• 13% DV of pantothenic acid;
• 12% DV of Vitamin B6;
• 11% DV of choline;
• 11% DV of fiber; and
• 9% DV of Omega-3 fatty acids.

7 Health Benefits of Cauliflower

According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, 100 grams of cauliflower provides 25 calories, 1.9 grams of protein, 0.3 grams of fat, and 5 grams of carbohydrates, including 2 grams of fiber and 1.9 grams of sugar.

1. Reduces Cancer Risk – Studies show that cauliflower is especially useful for preventing breast cancer in addition to colon, liver, lung, and stomach cancers.
2. Fights Inflammation – Inflammation is at the heart of nearly all chronic diseases that we are faced with so commonly today. Cauliflower is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds which lower oxidative stress and the presence of free-radicals in our body. Cauliflower contains many anti-inflammatory nutrients to help keep inflammation in check, including indole-3-carbinol.
3. Boosts Brain Health – Cauliflower is a good source of choline, a B vitamin that is essential for brain development. According to a 2004 review published in the Journal of Neurophysiology, the presence of choline during pregnancy stimulates the brain activity of animals in utero, indicating that it can boost cognitive function and improve memory and learning.
4. Decreases Risk for Heart Disease and Brain Disorders – Researchers now know that high levels of inflammation are correlated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
5. Detoxification – Glucosinolates in cauliflower can help the body’s natural detoxification processes by activating detox enzymes and helping the body cleanse itself of carcinogens. Healthy digestion is the most important part of detoxification. Fortunately, cauliflower is extremely rich in fiber and therefore is a very natural way to clean the body.
6. Weight Loss – Because cauliflower is so low in calories, this is the perfect food to eat plenty of. It only has a mere 29 calories per cup, very low levels of carbs and sugar.
7. Digestion – Cauliflower contains high amounts of fiber; nearly eight grams for every 100 calories. Fiber helps move food easily and quickly through the digestive track.

Cauliflower Recipes We Love:

• This Kale Cauliflower Baked Mac and Cheese is a cheesy concoction that’s simple to make and a super way to get your kids to eat their vegetables!
• If you’re looking to cut gluten and grains out of your diet and you love pizza, learn how to make this Gluten-Free Cauliflower Crust Pizza with this simple step-by-step recipe and pictorial.
• Spice up your life with this recipe for Caribbean Shrimp with Cauliflower Rice. Perfect for lunch or dinner, this light, gluten-free dish is surprisingly simple to make.

We hope you love these seven Health Benefits of Cauliflower and cauliflower recipes as much as we do. For more tips, stop by our Healthy Tips section. For daily recipe inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Pinterest. Enjoy!

Disclosure: The author of this article is not a trained medical professional, nor a dietician. All of the information in this post is based on research, doctor recommendations, and personal experience.