Cauliflower, like other members of the cruciferous family, is full of nutrients that help prevent cancer and other ailments. It’s also a great source of minerals and vitamins, which are vital for maintaining a robust immune system. A research found that consuming only four servings of cruciferous vegetables per week, such as cauliflower, reduced the chance of dying of any cause by 26%. powerful florets While broccoli is a better healer, cauliflower is also a wonderful gift of cancer-prevention ability. Two powerful tools in cauliflower’s anti-cancer armory have been found by researchers: the phytonutrients sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, or i3c. Each and every cruciferous vegetable has these substances. Research often indicates that consumption of cruciferous vegetables lowers the risk of cancer. While earlier study on sulforaphane in human breast cells suggested that it may prevent cancer, more recent tests conducted at the University of Illinois revealed that it could stop the formation of malignant breast cells. Sulforaphane works by increasing the body’s production of enzymes that remove toxins before they harm or cause cancer in your body’s cells. I3c, cauliflower’s second tumor-killing substance, functions as an antistrogen. To put it another way, it lowers the amounts of dangerous estrogens that may encourage the formation of tumors in hormone-sensitive cells, such as those found in the prostate and breasts. While research indicates that consumption of cruciferous vegetables protects against all types of cancer, the most effective usage of these nutrients is likely in the treatment of malignancies of the colon, breast, and prostate. One intriguing illustration of this is the low incidence of prostate cancer in India, a country where turmeric is often added to vegetables like cauliflower. According to a research done at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, mice implanted with human prostate cancer cells showed growth retardation in response to both curcumin, a phytonutrient found in turmeric, and phenethyl isothiocyanates, a phytochemical found in cauliflower. Cauliflower’s immunological potential extends beyond cancer prevention. Additionally, it is a great source of vitamin C and folate, a b vitamin that is widely recognized for maintaining the health of your immune system. Just three raw cruciferous florets provide 67% of the daily value (dv) of vitamin C—more than a white grapefruit does. You may maintain a robust immune system and prevent several ailments such as cancer, heart disease, and cataracts by taking more vitamin C and other antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene. Steer clear of cauliflower that has brown patches on its white florets if you want to get the most out of it. It indicates that its nutritional peak has already passed. Select cauliflower heads that have a lot of lush, green foliage around them. They will be fresher and more well preserved. Cauliflower should be carefully stored with the stem side down to avoid moisture building up in the floret clusters. To preserve the cancer-preventive properties of cauliflower, consume it uncooked and keep it away from heat sources. Eating it raw or fast heating it in a steamer, wok, or microwave are your best options. The worst method for preparing this crucifer is boiling. When cauliflower is soaked in hot water, it loses around half of its beneficial indoles. Steam it properly. The greatest quantity of sulforaphane is released when cauliflower is steamed. However, before steaming, be sure to chop the cauliflower into big pieces. A lesser surface area will be visible with bigger pieces. More nutrients might seep out the larger the exposed surface area. Mashed cauliflower, when blended in a food processor or blender, resembles mashed potatoes. It also has a high fiber content and little calories.