Cauliflower stands out for its benefits and properties, especially for its nutritional richness. It is rich in water, does not provide calories and its vitamin content stands out.
What is cauliflower and what properties does it provide?
The cauliflower is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family Cruciferae, being a type of cabbage, but whose upper leaves and flowers are transformed into a white mass, compact and hard. There are approximately more than 3,000 species, yet currently three varieties are the most commercialized: the white cauliflower, the green cauliflower and purple cauliflower.
And, precisely, within these 3,000 species we also find some of the best known and most popular varieties, such as broccoli, white cabbage, red cabbage or turnip, among many others.
White cauliflower is considered the most common. Its color is due to the fact that during its cultivation the kills of the green leaves that surround it are united above, thus preventing the entry of the sun and the development of chlorophyll. Green cauliflower, however, is characterized in that it is allowed to be exposed to the sun, allowing chlorophyll to develop. In the case of purple cauliflower, its coloration is due to the presence of anthocyanins, antioxidant pigments that disappear when cooked.
As for the white cauliflower, it has a rounded shape and a certainly characteristic appearance, which makes it a very easy to distinguish inflorescence. It comes from the different regions of the eastern Mediterranean, particularly Asia Minor, Syria and Lebanon. Although today China has become the main producer.
It is true that sometimes it can be reviled by the bad smell that comes off when they are cooked, and also by its effects to cause flatulence (gas), but the truth is that this wonderful plant is a food that it stands out for the very important benefits and properties it has for health.
Nutritional benefits of cauliflower
Cauliflower is especially rich in water, which makes it an ideal option in weight loss diets and cleansing diets, thanks to the fact that it naturally helps to purify the body and prevent or avoid fluid retention.
It also stands out for its low content of both carbohydrates and proteins and fats, so its caloric intake is really and truly low. In fact, 100 grams of cauliflower provides just 25 calories.
As we mentioned, among the different nutritional properties and benefits that we find in cauliflower is its high water content, and yet low energy content, which is why cauliflower is ideal in weight control diets.
It is a great source of vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, and it also has antioxidant properties that help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
It also has diuretic properties, which is why they are good in cases of fluid retention since they favor the elimination of excess fluids, also being beneficial in cases of hypertension.
Cauliflower nutritional values
Here we indicate what is the nutritional contribution of cauliflower per 100 grams of edible part:
| Energy (kcal) | 27.52 |
| Carbohydrates (g) | 2.39 |
| Proteins (g) | 2.44 |
| Fat (g) | 0.28 |
| Fiber (g) | 2.92 |
| Cholesterol (mg) | 0.00 |
| Water (g) | 92.00 |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium (mg) | 19.26 |
| Iron (mg) | 0.84 |
| Iodine (mg) | 5.92 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 15.92 |
| Zinc (mg) | 0.32 |
| Selenium (µg) | 0.93 |
| Sodium (mg) | 13.00 |
| Potassium (mg) | 296.00 |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 9.10 |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin B1 (mg) | 0.09 |
| Vitamin B2 (mg) | 0.09 |
| Vitamin B6 (mg) | 0.24 |
| Vitamin B9 (µg) | 72.51 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 58.77 |
| Carotenoids (µg) | 42.10 |
| Vitamin A (µg) | 7.01 |
