By now the miracle diets have lost all the confidence they once had. Regimens that promised spectacular results with various routines such as eating almost exclusively with one food. However, it is true that food is the key to losing weight and that by choosing certain foods carefully, it is possible to both lose weight and maintain it without gaining extra pounds.
Cauliflower, which is part of an excellent family of vegetables that includes collard greens, kale, broccoli or kale, is labeled by many of the superfood, a term that many nutritionists just don’t like since it seems more like marketing or reassuring consciences, it seems a carte blanche to neglect the rest of the diet, as long as it is included superfood. This term is usually used to refer to foods that are so wholesome and beneficial that they stand out from the rest, and cauliflower is all of that and more.
Like all vegetables, cauliflower is a low-calorie food, 25 per 100 grams. “This vegetable has a high water content and also a lot of fiber, therefore prevents water retention and also significantly improves digestion“, says Concepción Martínez, dietitian-nutritionist. Specifically, it contains up to 92% water. In addition, this high fiber content prevents the onset of type 2 diabetes, since it controls blood glucose spikes during digestion. It also prevents constipation and improves intestinal flora.
great for dinner
“The difference between cauliflower and other vegetables is that the calories come, in a greater proportion, from proteins than from carbohydrates. That’s why it’s such a filling food, making it perfect for dinnertime.”adds Martinez. In fact, resuming its dietary properties, cauliflower fiber is rich in pectins and substances that absorb a large amount of water.
This food is also an excellent source of antioxidants such as vitamin C, which is why the expert points it out when cooking, the cooking time should not exceed 10-15 minutes, to avoid the elimination of this nutrient. It also has minerals such as zinc and selenium in its composition.
[Este es el tipo de fibra que se relaciona con el cáncer de colon y con alergias intestinales]
In addition, it also has B vitamins, among which folic acid predominates, says the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN). A nutrient that helps tissue growth and cell worktogether with vitamins B12 and C it helps the body to break down, use and create new proteins, collaborates in the formation of red blood cells (preventing anemia) and is the basis for the production of DNA.
A beneficial vegetable
Another of the properties of cauliflower is its anti-inflammatory power thanks to its composition of phytochemicals, including antioxidant polyphenols such as quercetin, kaempferol and coumaric acid among other flavonoids, as revealed by a she studies conducted by Italian scientists. Furthermore, this food could also help reduce the risk of developing various metabolic pathologies such as obesity, diabetes or cardiovascular disease, according to a analyses Posted in Nutrition research.
According to other research published in Journal of Food Engineering, cauliflower is a perfect extra to add to cereal snacks, to integrate the protein part needed even in vegan diets. Similarly, there is evidence, published in Molecular nutrition and food researchwhat link cauliflower consumption with the prevention and control of certain types of cancersince this vegetable is credited with the power to reduce the risk of suffering from various diseases such as colon and rectal cancer.
In the 16th century cauliflower was used to relieve headaches, a fact whose basis could be its water content, as dehydration causes headaches, and its anti-inflammatory properties.
Disadvantages
In addition to giving off a notable bad smell during cooking. Cauliflower can cause flatulence in people who are sensitive to fermented vegetables. A problem present in many other cruciferous vegetables. This inconvenience is caused by the polysaccharides in its composition, which can complicate digestion by forming gas during fermentation.
According to the nutritionist, the best tricks to prevent this from happening are, first of all, marinate raw cauliflower with yogurt, garlic and vinegar. Likewise, he points out that people with irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal issues like gastritis or ulcers should take it in moderation.
