Bella Adams
We have long appreciated not only the taste but also the benefits of cauliflower. What is the appeal and benefits of this curly beauty, which is on par with the most commonly purchased products in stores: potatoes and onions?
There is no analog to cauliflower in the wild. It was cultivated by humans several hundred years ago in Syria.
That is why it was called Syrian for a very long time. The benefits of cauliflower were already known to the great physician Avicenna, who lived in the eleventh century. He strongly recommended eating it.
Cauliflower began to travel the world a little later, traveling on merchant ships to Cyprus and Spain. A little later, it conquered Europe, becoming a great addition to the table of the nobles. It appeared in our country much later, in the eighteenth century.
The overseas product was not cultivated in the Slavic lands for a very long time. And so it was exclusively the food of the nobility due to its high cost. Today, several domestic varieties of this healthy product have been bred.
Cauliflower: benefits
The nutrients in cauliflower make it a dietary product (it has the ability to improve food digestion). Of all the types of cabbage, only cauliflower has a bouquet of vitamins and minerals that can fully meet the needs of the human body.
Cauliflower in medicine
Today, the benefits and harms of cauliflower are actively studied by researchers. Dozens of experiments have made the scientific world talk about its effect on the development of tumors. The benefits of cauliflower are explained by its ability to slow down the spread of metastases. Its beneficial effect is to enhance the body’s natural detoxification and ability to slow down inflammatory processes.
In addition, according to scientists, cauliflower is beneficial for the digestive system. It contains glucoraphanin, which protects the gastric mucosa from damage and prevents the development of pathogenic bacteria.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, cauliflower is beneficial for its ability to: treat Crohn’s disease, neutralize intestinal inflammation, regulate insulin production, and fight obesity and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, vegetables can be used to prevent diabetes and ulcerative colitis.
Cauliflower in cosmetology
A face mask made from fresh cauliflower juice rejuvenates the skin, visibly smoothes wrinkles, and prevents the appearance of new ones.
In hair care, cauliflower is an indispensable tool for achieving healthy shine and strengthening the roots. To do this, it is enough to rub cauliflower juice mixed with lemon juice into the scalp for several minutes after washing your hair. Then wrap your head with a film and a towel, creating a microclimate for half an hour, which is most suitable for nutrients to get into the upper layers of the skin faster.
This mask will not do any harm even after daily use. You can add spinach or aloe juice to it. It can be washed off without shampoo.
Cauliflower: a variety of vitamins
Strengthens the immune system, and protects the body from infectious diseases of any origin. Contains a vitamin necessary for proper eye function and good vision.
B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9)
All these vitamins are necessary for metabolism at the cellular level. They release energy from nutrients, synthesize it and participate in metabolic processes. They are indispensable for pregnant women due to their ability to help the proper development of the fetus, cell division, and red blood cell formation.
Vitamin C
It is one of the main elements involved in the development and proper functioning of bone and connective tissue.
Vitamin E
Its benefit for the human body lies in its antioxidant properties. It is an excellent protector of cells from damage.
Vitamin H
Regulates the metabolism of proteins and fats in the body, and is an ambulance for nervous system disorders, fatigue, depression, and depressed mood, which harm the whole body.
Vitamin U
Promotes healing of ulcers, and erosions on the walls of the stomach and other internal organs.
Cauliflower: trace elements
Cauliflower contains a number of micro- and macronutrients in its curly heads, which not only keep the body in good condition but also perfectly balance their natural balance. There are eleven of them in total, which is an excellent indicator that you can consider your diet complete by eating only this cabbage:
- Potassium removes excess fluid from the body.
- Magnesium promotes brain function.
- Sodium is involved in metabolism.
- Calcium strengthens the musculoskeletal system. It promotes the growth and accumulation of bone mass.
- Phosphorus is an indispensable component of all body tissues and is essential for normal heart function.
- Iron is the main component of red blood cells, which are responsible for oxygen delivery to all parts of the body.
- Copper strengthens the nervous system.
- Manganese normalizes metabolism.
- Molybdenum maintains normal tooth enamel condition, promotes growth, and supports metabolism.
- Iodine is necessary for thyroid diseases.
- Fluoride is a building material in case of injuries that damage bone and cartilage tissue. It is of great benefit in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Cauliflower also contains tartaric acid, which helps to slow down the processing of carbohydrates into fatty compounds. Therefore, it is recommended by nutritionists for people who intend to lose weight or maintain their figure.
Cauliflower: contraindications
There are contraindications according to which cauliflower is not recommended for use in food for people who are ill:
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in a state of exacerbation.
- Peptic ulcer or acute form of enterocolitis.
- Increased acidity of the stomach.
- Intestinal spasms;
- Diseases of the kidneys and genitourinary system.
- Individual intolerance to the product.
- A tendency to allergic reactions to certain foods.
- Hypertension.
- Gout.
It is advisable to refrain from cauliflower in the postoperative period if the surgical intervention was in the abdominal cavity or chest area.
