Cauliflower: beneficial properties and harm, application

 Cauliflower: beneficial properties and harm, application

Cauliflower is one of the few vegetables that can be included in the menu of both an adult and a baby. It has quite a few properties that are very favorable for the human body.

What is this vegetable?

In Russia, cauliflower was heard many centuries ago. Such a vegetable has gained popularity thanks to Empress Catherine II. The royal persona loved the taste of cauliflower so much and appreciated its beneficial properties, which always included it in its diet.

The seeds of the queen's favorite vegetables were bought for a lot of money, but she could not refuse the empress herself the pleasure of eating them. Later, Catherine II gave her scientists the task to bring the northern variety of this plant. However, botanists of that time managed to bring it out much later. In the XIX century, cauliflower was grown on a relatively small area of ​​land - just a few hectares.

The prevalence of cauliflower in the world is now truly enormous. This vegetable is quite unpretentious, so it can be grown in different countries. This plant is an annual, that is, its entire biological development cycle occurs within one year. During this period, the plant has time to ripen, form an inflorescence and form seeds. Moreover, the time from planting into the soil to the formation of a tasty inflorescence is on average about 3-3.5 months.

If the climate is rather hot or vegetables are grown in greenhouse conditions, then the time of ripening may decrease. Also, the period of formation of the inflorescence depends on the type of plant. Some selectively bred varieties ripen much faster. Typically, these plants use large agrotechnical complexes that grow vegetables in industrial quantities.

Another unique feature of the species is the time period when inflorescences are suitable for cutting and eating - about 4-5 weeks. Note that this time interval compared to other varieties of cabbage is quite large. For example, in white cabbage, this temporary “corridor” is only 2-3 weeks.

Also, breeders note that cauliflower is a vegetable that tolerates cold temperatures quite well. Small night frosts may not damage the plant when it grows, but can lead to a change in the taste of the inflorescences. The effect of negative temperatures on the plant for several days during the period when the inflorescences are formed, leads to the fact that the vegetable becomes dry and can slightly bitter. It is believed that the most optimal temperature for growing these vegetables, especially during the formation of inflorescences, is the range of + 15-20 degrees.

Exposure to too high temperatures may also cause a change in the taste of the inflorescences. Usually they become more fibrous, less fragrant and rather loose. Such vegetables are practically not suitable for the preparation of delicious culinary products, as they have a "muffled" taste.

Cauliflower loves watering. The root system of the plant is perfectly formed and functioning, if the moisture content in the soil is about 70%. At the same time, air humidity also has a positive effect on plant growth. For good growth of cauliflower, this figure should be about 80%. In such conditions, vegetables grow well, and also form tasty inflorescences, in which there are quite a few biologically active components that bring great benefits to the body.

Interestingly, the "favorite" of many kids cauliflower is a selectively grown plant. Botanists are still arguing about where the wild “progenitor” of this vegetable is. They also note that the first varieties of cabbage, which were very popular in the Mediterranean, had rather small dark green inflorescences.

Their taste was also quite specific. So, the vegetable is pretty bitter.In order to reduce this characteristic bitterness, people began to heat treat cauliflower. After cooking, the taste of the vegetable improved significantly.

For quite a long period of time, these vegetables were grown in Syria. That is why the name “Syrian cabbage” has been preserved in history. Due to its beneficial properties, this vegetable quickly became popular and was grown in different countries.

These vegetables were also appreciated by ancient healers. So, Avicenna believed that beneficial inflorescences should be consumed in the cold season. In his opinion, the use of cabbage helped protect against infection with many dangerous diseases that are transmitted from one person to another during epidemics.

Currently, cauliflower is grown in many countries. She is very much loved in Europe, North and South America, Russia, China and other countries. It is used for making baby purees, as it is allowed to feed babies from a certain age.

Many babies start to love cauliflower since childhood. Eating this vegetable is a good habit for many years.

Composition

This unusual in appearance vegetable has an excellent set of vitamins. So, the following components were found in it (per 100 g of product):

  • beta carotene - 0.03 mg;
  • nicotinic acid - 0.7 g;
  • thiamine, 0.1 mg;
  • choline - 46 mg;
  • Riboflavin - 0.1 mg;
  • Pantothenic acid - 1 g;
  • folic acid - 24 mcg;
  • ascorbic acid - 70 mg.

In addition, the vegetable also contains tocopherol, biotin, phylloquinone and many other chemical components. Acceptance of vegetable dishes prepared from cauliflower will help improve health and promotes excellent mood.

Scientists were surprised by the mineral composition of this vegetable. It contains:

  • sodium;
  • potassium;
  • calcium;
  • phosphorus;
  • magnesium;
  • zinc;
  • iron;
  • copper;
  • fluorine;
  • selenium;
  • manganese.

The calorie content of this product is relatively low, which is why it is a fairly frequent component of many diets. Also, these vegetables are allowed to include in the diet of kids who are obese. The use of these tasty vegetables allows in a short time to achieve normal values ​​of body weight.

100 grams of this vegetable contains only 30 kilocalories. Moreover, the content of the main food components is not that much. Thus, 100 g of vegetables contains only 2.5 g of proteins and 0.2 g of fat. Carbohydrates are contained in the amount of 5.5 grams per 100 grams.

Benefit

Doctors say that cauliflower is quite healthy. The use of this vegetable has a positive effect on the functioning of the internal organs of the human body. Thanks to this complex action, cauliflower is useful for all family members.

For women

Cauliflower helps women to be beautiful for many years. The fact is that in this vegetable there are quite a few vitamins that positively affect the functioning of the organism as a whole. So, the vegetable is a source of pantothenic acid. This substance promotes the growth of beautiful and silky hair, and also helps nails become more durable. Also, this substance is necessary in order to make the skin look younger and fresher.

These vegetables are a source of substances that contribute to the regeneration of damaged cells. Thus, the use of cauliflower helps to heal various wounds and injuries. Skin cells, thanks to incoming minerals, are renewed faster, which makes the skin look better.

Cauliflower is also a source of dietary fiber. Unfortunately, nowadays, the problem of irregular bowel movements is familiar to many. In order to cope with it, doctors advise to consume as much as possible vegetables and fruits, which are rich in dietary fiber, stimulating the excretion of unwanted metabolic products from the body. One of them is cauliflower. Adding this food to the menu contributes to the normalization of the large intestine.

Also this vegetable is a source of natural ferrum. With a deficiency of this substance in the body there is a very unfavorable pathology, which is called anemia. According to statistics, this pathological condition is more common in women.In the "risk zone" for the development of anemia are pregnant women. The use of cauliflower reduces the risk of an anemic condition and contributes to the normalization of hemoglobin concentration in the blood.

In cauliflower, folic acid is also present. This substance is really necessary for all cellular processes to proceed optimally. It is no secret that the physiological need for this chemical component in women during life is constantly changing. So, pregnant women and women who breastfeed their babies need this substance a little more.

The importance of folic acid use during pregnancy and lactation is emphasized by doctors who work with women. During pregnancy, doctors recommend that future moms consume a sufficient amount of food and vitamin complexes that contain this useful ingredient.

If a woman, being in an “interesting position”, violates these recommendations, then she can harm not only herself, but also her baby.

During fetal development, the baby needs quite a lot of folic acid in order to ensure the full growth and development of its internal organs. The laying of organs in a child occurs mainly in the first half of pregnancy. If at this time, the expectant mother does not consume enough foods rich in folic acid, then it can harm her baby.

Women who breastfeed their babies know how difficult and responsible lactation can be. At this time, Mom should control everything she eats. Eating certain foods can help your child develop allergy symptoms. During lactation, doctors are not allowed to eat all food, but they do not include cauliflower.

Pediatricians say that if a mother who feeds her newborn baby crumbs, use cauliflower periodically, then it almost can not cause the symptoms of allergy in the crumbs. Exceptions are extremely rare. Usually such allergic reactions appear in weakened babies, as well as in children who have a high propensity to develop allergies.

For men

Cauliflower has healing properties not only for women. It is believed that it is necessary to take this vegetable and men. Cauliflower can even help improve male health outcomes.

Cauliflower contains chemical components that have a positive effect on the functioning of the digestive tract, therefore it is recommended to use vegetables for the stronger sex, suffering from certain chronic diseases of the digestive system. In order to avoid provoking an exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal illness when eating vegetables, they should be boiled or baked beforehand. Acceptance of fresh vegetables can cause the appearance of pain in the epigastrium.

The use of these vegetables helps the male body to better withstand the effects of various stressors. This feature is largely due to the abundance of vitamins contained in these vegetables. Also, the use of cauliflower helps to improve immunity. If you eat these vegetables when the incidence of a cold is quite high, you can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

Specialists of traditional medicine note that men who regularly use cauliflower feel more energetic and vigorous. It also has a positive effect on performance.

Many men pay attention to their appearance. Alopecia (alopecia) is a frequent problem faced by many representatives of the strong half of humanity. This pathology is usually associated with hormonal changes that occur in the male body.

In order to cope with this pathology, men are forced to use various cosmetics, as well as drugs and multivitamin complexes. Also, doctors recommend to follow a special diet, which includes some vegetables, one of which is cauliflower. Adding it to the menu has a positive effect on hair growth. Of course, to cure male hormone alopecia with the help of cauliflower alone will not work, but to somewhat improve the situation is still real.

The substances that cauliflower has in its chemical composition can also have a very important effect - they reduce the risk of developing cancer. It is believed that men who eat enough cauliflower periodically are less likely to develop prostate and testicular cancer.

In order to reduce the risk of developing cancer pathologies, use cauliflower should be systematic.

For kids

Cauliflower can be used even in the preparation of the menu of the baby of the first year of life. This vegetable serves as one of the complementary foods that are used for newborn babies in order to gradually adapt them to new foods.

Pediatricians chose cauliflower for feeding a newborn baby is not accidental. This vegetable contains many vitamins, macro-and micronutrients, but at the same time a rather low allergenic index. This means that when you use this product, the child receives nutrients, but the risk of developing food allergies is minimal.

Cauliflower also contains a relatively small amount of dietary fiber relative to other varieties. This feature of the chemical composition of the vegetable prevents irritation of the delicate mucous membrane of the stomach. After eating cauliflower the risk of intestinal colic in the crumbs is minimal.

It should be noted that the introduction of mashed potatoes and soups, prepared with the addition of cauliflower, into the diet of a baby should be done only after consultation with the pediatrician. It is extremely rare, but still the use of this vegetable can provoke the appearance of adverse symptoms in a child.

Typically, these clinical signs appear when a baby has eaten cauliflower who has problems with the digestive system or even chronic gastrointestinal pathology.

Harm

Usually the use of cauliflower does not cause the appearance of adverse symptoms, however there are exceptions in every rule. So, you should not use cauliflower for people who have an individual intolerance to this vegetable or are allergic to it. In this case, the use of such a vegetable can contribute to the deterioration of health and the emergence of uncomfortable symptoms.

It is also not recommended to eat it in case of gout, as this may provoke an exacerbation of the disease. Care should be taken when eating cabbage and people suffering from urolithiasis, as it is rich in natural acids, which can contribute to the deterioration of the disease.

It is not recommended to include in your diet dishes containing cauliflower, with acute colitis. With this pathology, the functioning of the intestine is disturbed. The use of vegetables, especially in fresh form, contributes to a significant increase in pain in the stomach.

Cauliflower can be eaten only after visiting a gastroenterologist and receiving appropriate recommendations from the doctor.

Features of use

For therapeutic and culinary purposes, you can use cauliflower in different ways. Thus, the maximum concentration of vitamins and trace elements is found in raw vegetables and juice, which is made from it. However, to eat fresh vegetables in their raw form is not for everyone.

It is extremely dangerous for health to eat raw vegetables to people who have a number of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as this may contribute to the deterioration of their health. Doctors advise such people to subject cauliflower to thermal processing. Boiled or baked cauliflower almost can not provoke an exacerbation of the existing pathology of the stomach or intestines.

During pregnancy

Doctors allow future moms to include in the menu cauliflower. The use of this vegetable helps to improve the motor function of the intestine, which contributes to the normalization of stool. Many mummies are familiar with the problem of constipation, which most often begins to manifest itself in the second half of pregnancy. Adding cauliflower to your daily diet allows you to cope with this intimate problem.

Cauliflower can be used to make delicious vegetable stews and salads, which can be a complement to almost any meat or fish dish. Eating enough protein in combination with vegetables promotes well-being of both the pregnant woman and her baby.

Baby lure

Cauliflower can also be included as a complementary food for the crumbs of the first year of life. It is very important to “acquaint” the child's body with a new food product gradually. This should be done with extreme caution, always evaluating the child’s body reaction to a new supplement. So, if the mother noticed that after the introduction of his menu, the baby had multiple frequent stools, had a swollen stomach and had colic, then he should not be given cauliflower. When such a reaction occurs, you should definitely show your baby a pediatrician. The doctor will be able to determine whether such symptoms are a manifestation of individual intolerance to cauliflower in a child.

In order for the child's body to gradually "get used" to a new food product, it should be introduced in small quantities. Pediatricians, as a rule, recommend gradually increasing the amount of vegetable puree, while the initial dosage usually does not exceed 1/3 of a teaspoon.

The introduction of any complementary foods to the diet of the newborn baby is a very important time for the mother. If the child absolutely does not want to eat cauliflower, then such a reaction should definitely be discussed with the pediatrician. The doctor will make individual recommendations for the preparation of a baby’s diet.

When losing weight

Cauliflower contains a number of chemical components that positively affect the rate of metabolic processes. Eating this vegetable helps to improve metabolism. This action helps food that enters the body, faster, and most importantly, better digest.

Cauliflower is a natural source of fiber, essential for the excellent functioning of the large intestine. A small calorie vegetable helps to ensure that it can be safely included in the menu of a person who is on a diet in order to normalize weight.

What can you cook?

Cooks use a variety of cauliflower recipes to prepare a variety of dishes. A decoction made from this vegetable is an excellent basis for various vegetable soups or sauces. It is not only tasty, but also very useful.

Cauliflower can be used for cooking diet casseroles, salads, stews, as well as all sorts of vegetable snacks. Also from the inflorescences of this vegetable, you can make a tasty mashed potatoes, which the crumb of the first year of life will like.

How to cook cauliflower tasty, see the next video.

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Information provided for reference purposes. Do not self-medicate. For health, always consult a specialist.

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