Cauliflower | Food Facts | Holistic Naturale

What is Cauliflower Good For?

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea)

Cauliflower is one of many cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage and kale.¹ While commonly known for its white color, it also comes in purple, green and orange varieties.² Cauliflower is a very versatile vegetable that shows up on relish plates,³ can be sautéed in stir-fries,⁴ pickled with onions,⁵ roasted on skewers⁶ and can even be mashed.⁷

When purchasing cauliflower, look for densely packed florets that are clean and creamy white. You can increase its shelf life by placing it in a loose plastic bag with a paper towel inside.⁸

Health Benefits of Cauliflower

One of cauliflower’s best nutritional aspects is the high value of vitamin C it delivers in a 100-gram serving — an impressive 48.2 milligrams. Cauliflower is also a good source of vitamin K, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium and phosphorus, along with packing 2 grams of dietary fibre. Other nutrients that comprise this healthy food include iron, zinc, calcium and vitamin E.⁹

Cauliflower also contains numerous phytonutrients, such as indole-3-carbinol, which may help lower the risk of cancer by affecting multiple signaling pathways.¹⁰ Sulforaphane, another compound found in cauliflower, possesses antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties.¹¹

Cauliflower Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 3.5 ounces (100 grams), raw

	Amt. Per Serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	25
Calories from Fat	0.8
Total Fat	0 g
Saturated Fat	0 g
Trans Fat
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	30 mg
Total Carbohydrates	4.97 g
Dietary Fiber	2 g
Sugar	2 g
Protein	1.91 g
Potassium 299 mg	Vitamin C	48.2 mg
Calcium 22 mg	Iron	0.42 mg

Studies Done on Cauliflower

Cauliflower’s claim to fame as a nutritious food isn’t just hearsay. Scientists have studied the vegetable and how it can benefit your health, and some of the most prominent findings include:

Boosting antioxidant levels — Cauliflower is noted for its high antioxidant activity. However, be sure to steam it if you want to make the most of the nutrients.¹²
Eliminating harmful bacteria in the gut — A 2017 study notes that brassica vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower may help eliminate sulphate-reducing bacteria, which may help boost gut health.¹³
Protecting cognitive health — Research published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience note that cauliflower has neuroprotective properties thanks to its sulforaphane content.¹⁴

Additionally, cauliflower’s sulforaphane content may lower the risk of cancer, and may complement conventional cancer treatments.¹⁵

Cauliflower Healthy Recipes:
Roasted Cauliflower With Lemon Zest, Parsley, Capers and Jalapeño

Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower, quartered, cored and cut in into bite-size florets	3 to 4 tablespoons coconut oil, plus extra for drizzling	Fresh salt and pepper	1 lemon
1 large handful parsley, roughly chopped	1 tablespoon capers	1 jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced	Flaky sea salt for serving

Procedure:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Toss the vegetables to coat adequately.
Place the cauliflower in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes until they are deep golden and crispy. Toss the vegetables halfway through roasting.
While the vegetables are in the oven, peel three strips from the lemon, cutting each strip crosswise thinly afterward. Slice the lemon in half.
Transfer the cauliflower to a bowl, and top with parsley, capers, jalapeños and the sliced lemon zest.
Squeeze the mixture with the half of the lemon and drizzle more oil. Toss to coat all ingredients.
Sprinkle with a pinch of the flaky sea salt.

(Recipe adapted from Epicurious¹⁶)

Cauliflower Fun Facts

Mark Twain once wrote, “Training is everything. A peach was once a bitter almond; a cauliflower is nothing but a cabbage with a college education.”¹⁷ The word “cruciferous” comes from the Latin word cruciferae, which was based from the appearance of the mustard family. These plants have four petals that resemble a cross.¹⁸

Summary

As a delicious cruciferous vegetable with an impressive number of ways to prepare it, cauliflower packs a vitamin C punch and has the distinction of potentially lowering the risk of cancer. Serve it as a snack, combine it with other veggies in stir-fries or add to it soups and stews.