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The benefits and harms of cauliflower are an interesting question for fans of a healthy diet. To properly use a beautiful and tasty vegetable, you need to understand its properties and features.
The chemical composition of cauliflower
Cauliflower is popular and loved due to its pleasant taste and beautiful appearance. But the useful composition of the vegetable is of great importance. Cabbage pulp contains:
- vitamin C – over 70% of the daily requirement;
- vitamins of the B subgroup – from B to B9, especially a lot of vitamin B5 is present in the vegetable;
- vitamins H, E and acid PP;
- rare vitamin K;
- a small amount of beta-carotene and vitamin A;
- silicon – about 73% of the daily dosage;
- potassium, phosphorus and manganese;
- calcium, magnesium and molybdenum;
- fiber, fatty acids and starch;
- iron, iodine and copper;
- zinc and selenium;
- mono- and disaccharides;
- sodium and chromium;
- sterol.
The composition of the vegetable contains especially a lot of vitamin C and silicon
Basically, cabbage consists of carbohydrates – about 4,2 g in the volume of the product. Also in the vegetable there are 2,5 g of proteins and 0,3 g of fats.
The calorie content of the product is quite low – 30 kcal per 100 g. The glycemic index of the vegetable is 32 units, so cauliflower with type 2 diabetes is not prohibited for consumption.
What is useful cauliflower for the body
Vitamins in cauliflower have a very beneficial effect on the human body. Specifically, the product:
- is a good natural antioxidant and reduces the risk of developing tumors;
- helps to fight inflammation of any nature;
- prevents the onset of beriberi and strengthens the immune system;
- removes accumulated toxins and toxic substances from the body;
- helps to lose extra pounds;
- beneficial effect on the hormonal and reproductive systems;
- protects eye health;
- strengthens blood vessels and prevents the development of heart ailments.
Cauliflower has a diuretic effect and helps fight swelling. It can also be used to strengthen the nervous system and increase vigor.
Cabbage inflorescences strengthen the immune system
Benefits of cauliflower for women
For the female body, the vegetable is of great value. First of all, adding cauliflower to the menu is recommended for painful periods and unstable hormonal levels during menopause. The product helps to get rid of discomfort, and also eliminates swelling.
With disorders of the nervous system, cauliflower soup, side dishes and salads with this vegetable will benefit. The product helps to get rid of chronic fatigue, increases vigor and gives strength, especially when consumed in the morning. If you include the product in a permanent diet, skin health will quickly improve, cauliflower stimulates the production of collagen, prevents acne and has a rejuvenating effect.
Benefits of cauliflower for men
Cauliflower is a very healthy vegetable for the male body. Valuable substances in the composition of the product are responsible for healthy sexual activity and support reproductive function. Also, the vegetable prevents the development of prostate cancer after 40 years.
Vegetable strengthens stamina in men
It is useful for male athletes to use the product, it helps to get rid of fat mass without damage to muscles, increases endurance and energy. Cauliflower strengthens hair follicles and prevents early baldness, improves the functioning of the vascular system and helps cleanse the liver. This reduces the risk of ischemic attacks at a young age.
The benefits of cauliflower for children
With proper use, cauliflower can strengthen the immune system of the child and his digestive system. The benefits of cauliflower for infants and older children are manifested in constipation and slow digestion, with a lack of vitamins in the diet.
You can offer the product to a child after 6 months of life. Since the vegetable contains a lot of fiber, earlier cabbage inflorescences may simply not be absorbed by the child’s body. For the first time, the product is introduced into the baby’s diet in boiled form, crushed to a puree state. A fresh vegetable can be offered to a child no earlier than at 8 months and only in an amount of no more than 1 teaspoon.
Children are allowed to give cauliflower from 6 months and after boiling
How useful is cauliflower
The vegetable is used in all kinds of dishes after boiling, stewing, baking and frying, added to salads. Above all, the benefits of cauliflower in its raw form, all vitamins and minerals are preserved in the vegetable in its entirety. It should be especially noted that cauliflower rarely irritates the digestive tract, and its use usually does not lead to negative consequences.
The content of vitamins in fresh cabbage is maximum
But if for some reason it is impossible to use fresh cabbage inflorescences, they will also be useful in boiled form. Some vitamins will be destroyed by high temperature, for example, vitamin C. However, the main share of valuable substances in boiled cauliflower will remain.
When boiled in inflorescences, only part of the vitamins is destroyed.
The health benefits of frozen cauliflower are worth mentioning. You can save inflorescences up to 12 months if you put them in the freezer. After defrosting, the vegetable will still contain all the vitamins in its entirety.
Frozen inflorescences retain benefits for up to a year
Harm of cauliflower
It is necessary to consume a vegetable in accordance with certain rules, otherwise it can damage the body:
- It is harmful to eat cabbage inflorescences shortly before bedtime, the product starts the active work of digestion and can interfere with night’s rest.
- Eating inflorescences is harmful on an empty stomach. It is better to eat a vegetable in combination with other foods at a full meal, so as not to provoke excessive gas formation.
- Cauliflower can be damaged by gout, the vegetable contains purines that can lead to an exacerbation of the disease.
The product can be harmful with flatulence and a tendency to diarrhea. The use of cabbage with these ailments should be reduced to a minimum.
Contraindications for cauliflower
In some diseases, the vegetable is recommended to be completely removed from the diet. You can not eat cauliflower:
- with disorders in the thyroid gland;
- with acute gastritis with high acidity;
- with exacerbations of stomach ulcers, colitis and enterocolitis;
- in the acute phase of pancreatitis and cholecystitis;
- with individual allergies.
Vegetables are not recommended for exacerbations of gastrointestinal ailments
Since the product enhances peristalsis, it is not recommended to introduce it into the diet for the first time after abdominal or chest surgery.
Rules for eating cauliflower
To get the maximum benefit from the product, you must adhere to moderate dosages:
- In the absence of contraindications, an adult can eat up to 1,5 kg of the product during the day. But it is better to limit yourself to smaller portions so that the vegetable does not lead to discomfort in the intestines.
- In the presence of gastric diseases, the use of cauliflower should be severely limited. It is allowed to eat no more than 150 g of the product per day, otherwise adverse reactions are possible.
- In case of chronic ailments of the stomach and intestines, the vegetable must be boiled, stewed or baked before consumption. It is allowed to use a decoction of cauliflower, it does not harm digestion, but contains many vitamins.
- It is best to consume cabbage inflorescences not daily, but three times a week.
Cabbage florets can be boiled very quickly and fried in batter
The vegetable is especially valued for its quick preparation. For example, cauliflower in batter can serve as a decoration for everyday and festive tables, and it takes about 15 minutes to create a dish.
Eating dishes with cauliflower is best in the morning or evening, when the vegetable will bring the maximum benefit to the body.
The use of cauliflower in folk medicine
Useful properties of cauliflower are used to treat ailments. The vegetable has a beneficial effect on the body not only when eaten, medicinal mixtures and drinks are prepared on its basis.
From heart disease
For problems with blood vessels and the heart, it is recommended to take cauliflower medicine with the addition of horseradish and honey. Prepare the mixture according to this recipe:
- fresh cauliflower is passed through a blender and squeezed out 100 ml of juice;
- mixed with 150 g of grated horseradish;
- add 2 small spoons of honey and a pinch of finely chopped parsley to the mixture.
A thick mixture is consumed 3 large spoons twice a day. Treatment
A mixture of cabbage and horseradish strengthens the heart and blood vessels
For constipation
Cauliflower juice helps with sluggish digestion and constipation. It is necessary to grind a fresh vegetable in a blender, squeeze 100 ml of fresh juice through cheesecloth and drink half an hour before meals.
If you take juice on a regular basis in combination with a balanced diet, digestion will accelerate and peristalsis will become more active.
Vegetable juice helps with constipation
For inflammation of the gums
Vegetable juice has anti-inflammatory properties and helps with gum disease. It is necessary to mix a small amount of fresh juice with clean water in a ratio of 1 to 1 and rinse your mouth 5 times a day until the symptoms disappear.
Diluted cabbage juice can rinse inflamed gums
With hemorrhoids
Symptoms of hemorrhoids are well eliminated by brine of sauerkraut inflorescences. For its preparation it is necessary:
- finely chop a few inflorescences;
- place in a small sterilized jar;
- Sprinkle generously with salt and close the lid.
Within 2 days, the vegetable will release juice, and after that the brine will be ready for use. It should be taken 100 ml on an empty stomach twice a day, the treatment is continued for 2 weeks in total.
Cabbage pickle is useful for hemorrhoids
With atherosclerosis
Cauliflower strengthens blood vessels and lowers cholesterol levels. With atherosclerosis or for the prevention of the disease, it is recommended to drink such a remedy:
- beetroot, cabbage and carrot juice are mixed in equal proportions of 200 ml;
- add 50 ml of vodka;
- make 1 small spoonful of fresh lemon juice and horseradish juice;
- add 2 small spoons of natural honey.
You need to take the drink in small quantities, just 1 small spoon three times a day for 10 days.
Tincture of beetroot, cabbage and carrot juice strengthens blood vessels well
With beriberi
Cabbage inflorescences contain many vitamins and help to fill the deficiency of nutrients in the body. Of particular benefit will be a drink from cabbage and apple juice, the ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and the remedy is taken 1 glass daily.
You need to drink a vitamin cocktail for a month. The tool will bring special benefits in spring and autumn.
Apple-cabbage smoothie compensates for vitamin deficiency
From the common cold
Cauliflower boosts the immune system and helps protect against colds and flu. For prevention and treatment, you can prepare such a cocktail:
- mix 100 ml of carrot and cabbage juice;
- add 200 ml of milk;
- add 2 tablespoons of honey.
Drink on an empty stomach only 50 ml three times a day. For prevention, the medicine is taken for a month; for treatment, you need to drink a cocktail before
Cabbage juice with honey is a good cold remedy
For skin diseases
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of the product contribute to the healing of wounds, irritations and burns. It is necessary to grind a few cabbage inflorescences in a blender, and then mix them with a raw egg. The mixture is applied to gauze and applied to the sore spot for 3-4 hours, fixed with a bandage or bandage.
Inflorescences can be crushed to make a compress
Can pregnant women eat cauliflower
During the period of bearing a child, cauliflower is very useful for the woman and the fetus. The product contains B vitamins, including folic acid, which is responsible for the formation of the nervous system and brain of the child. Ascorbic acid in the composition of the vegetable protects the body of the expectant mother from viruses and colds, and fiber contributes to normal digestion and prevents constipation.
The pulp of the vegetable contains coenzyme Q10, which serves as a prevention of stretch marks. The low calorie content of cabbage inflorescences allows a woman not to gain extra pounds while carrying a child.
For pregnant women, the product is especially useful in boiled form.
As for the period of breastfeeding, it is allowed to add the product to the diet 3 months after childbirth. In this case, the vegetable will improve the woman’s digestion and will not harm the baby.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of cauliflower depend on the dosages of its use and on the presence of contraindications. If you take a vegetable in small portions, then the effect will be positive, cauliflower will improve health and improve bowel function.
