9 Amazing Health Benefits of Cauliflower

Cauliflower is an incredibly nutritious cruciferous vegetable. This group of plants is known for its low-calorie count and high nutrient content including a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that the body needs to function optimally. Other vegetables which fit into the cruciferous vegetable category include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, collards, and kale. Cruciferous vegetables, like cauliflower, are unique because they contain sulfur compounds called glucosinolates which, research shows, possess inflammation-reducing and cancer-fighting properties.  

1. Fights cancer

Cauliflower is one of the most potent cancer-fighting foods out there. This unique vegetable provides sulfur-containing compounds—glucosinolates—which are shown to have chemopreventative properties. One of the glucosinolates that cauliflower provides is turned into a compound called sulforaphane in the body. There is extensive research behind this special compound sulforaphane for its anti-cancer benefits. Sulforaphane has been shown to block carcinogen activity, halt cancer cell growth, induce cancer cell death, and protect healthy cell DNA. Research has found glucosinolates beneficial in prevention and treatment of prostate, colorectal, lung, stomach, bladder, skin, and breast cancers.