The Power of Cauliflower!
You might have guessed we’re big fans of the humble Cauliflower here at Fullgreen.
Hearty, healthy and incredibly versatile – the mighty Cauli brings its magic to everything from big family meals and bakes to pizza bases, tacos and breakfast bowls (not to mention providing a delicious low carb alternative to grains and legumes).
With a gazillion ways to use it, it’s easy to see why our love of cauliflower has gone above and beyond a fleeting veg trend. Add to this a unique set of wonderful health benefits and we’ve got one superstar veg that delivers so much more than just an Instagram-worthy plate of food.
Nutritionist, Ruth Tongue tells us more about the power of Cauliflower for health.
Ruth's Cauliflower Benefits
- Cauliflower is a nutrient powerhouse! Vitamin C, K, B6, folate, potassium, manganese, magnesium and phosphorus can all be found in 1 cup of cauli.
- It is part of the cruciferous vegetable family which have a high content of a substance called indole-3-carbinol. Our bodies metabolize this into diindolylmethane (known as DIM) – a compound which can support healthy hormone levels in both women and men.
- Some observational studies have shown association between high cruciferous vegetable intake and a reduced risk of certain cancers, including breast and prostate cancer.
- DIM may also help to balance estrogen levels in the body so it’s great for anyone who may experience symptoms of estrogen imbalance such as severe PMT or endometriosis.
- It promotes good gut health and also helps to prevent chronic lifestyle diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
- Despite not usually associating vitamin C with citrus fruit or berries, this unlikely veg is also a great source of this powerful antioxidant linked to reduced inflammation and anti ageing.
- Cauliflower is a low calorie and low carbohydrate vegetable with around 5g of carbohydrate per portion and around 20 calories. So if you're looking to control your carbohydrate intake then fill up on this vegetable!
- One other unique property of cauliflower is its sulfur containing compounds known as glucosinolates. These compounds actually have huge health benefits - including potentially reducing risk of certain cancers and acting as powerful antioxidants in the body.