Many products that are constantly present in our diet contain a whole bunch of useful properties that we do not even suspect of. Cauliflower is no exception. Interesting information about the benefits of cauliflower, the features of its effect on the body and contraindications for use are collected in this article.

The composition and calorie content of cauliflower

"Curly" vegetable differs from its counterparts in a unique composition. Cauliflower contains a set of elements that cannot be found in other vegetables.

So, in it are found:

  • record amount of ascorbic acid (75 mg per 100 g);
  • vitamins (biotin, thiamine, carotene, niacin, choline, tocopherol);
  • amino acids;
  • fluorine;
  • selenium;
  • calcium;
  • potassium;
  • phosphorus;
  • magnesium;
  • iron;
  • folic acid;
  • malic, tartronic, pantothenic acid.

Cabbage is rich in carbohydrates and proteins, and low calorie content (29 kcal per 100 g) makes it a useful product for diet food. When cooking, the number of calories increases by only one. But fried cabbage already has 120 kcal per 100 g.

Cauliflower: beneficial and healing properties for health

The use of "curly" vegetable allows you to enrich the body with vitamins and minerals, as well as improve overall health.

Benefit for health:

  • strengthening immunity;
  • fight against inflammatory processes;
  • improving heart function;
  • stimulation of metabolism and outflow of bile;
  • improved bowel motility;
  • vascular strengthening;
  • normalization of blood formation;
  • prevention of the development of defects in cells;
  • bone strengthening;
  • improving digestion and in general the work of the digestive tract;
  • body rejuvenation;
  • prevention of cancer.

Due to its easy digestibility, cauliflower has few contraindications and is suitable for use in the diet of both young children and adults.

What diseases does cabbage help to cope with?

The medicinal properties of the vegetable are used for the prevention and treatment of so many diseases.

So, cauliflower is used to treat:

  • obesity
  • pathologies of the liver and kidneys;
  • pneumonia;
  • arrhythmias;
  • bronchial asthma;
  • stomatitis;
  • hemorrhoids;
  • ulcers;
  • anemia
  • diabetes mellitus;
  • burns, skin damage.

What is the product useful for women, men

The range of useful properties of cabbage for the human body is quite wide. Separately, it is worth highlighting the influence of the "curly" vegetable on the strong half of humanity.

Cauliflower for men:

  • increases potency, preserves masculine strength;
  • gives energy, increases working capacity;
  • reduces the possibility of developing oncology of the prostate gland;
  • improves hair growth, prevents early baldness.

Low calorie content of the product and its high nutritional value contribute to fast and long saturation without kilograms deposited on the hips and stomach.

In the diet of women, this vegetable is obliged to take pride of place because of the special effect on the body of young ladies.

  1. Cauliflower, thanks to ascorbic acid in its composition, improves the condition of the skin, makes it smooth, velvety, evens out the tone, eliminates small wrinkles.
  2. Vegetable improves the structure of the hair, gives it shine.
  3. The product normalizes the hormonal background of a woman (with PMS, menopause).
  4. During pregnancy, cabbage supplies the future mother with folic acid, which is necessary for the full development of the child’s nervous system and brain. Doctors insist on the need for the introduction of cauliflower in the diet of pregnant women in the 1st and 2nd trimesters.
  5. "Curly" vegetable is ideal for losing weight and maintaining normal weight.
  6. The properties of the product to relieve constipation and improve intestinal motility are useful for women who breastfeed babies. During this period, such problems are often encountered, and the use of pharmacy drugs is undesirable when breastfeeding.

Also, cauliflower improves mood and increases stress resistance, which is extremely necessary for modern men and women.

Primary benefit for children

Children's age is not a contraindication for the consumption of "curly" vegetable.

Pediatricians recommend introducing cabbage inflorescences as a food for babies from the first year of life.

The product is easily digested, and nutrients are quickly absorbed.

How does cauliflower affect a child's body:

  • supplies vitamins and minerals;
  • prevents constipation and bloating;
  • improves digestion;
  • strengthens bone tissue;
  • normalizes blood formation processes;
  • improves appetite in a child;
  • prevents obesity;
  • contributes to normal development.

The product rarely causes allergies. That is why cabbage is used as one of the first lure. They make mashed potatoes for babies (one-component or with the addition of other vegetables).

Application in traditional medicine

Anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties of “curly” vegetables are used by traditional healers for the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases. Means based on cauliflower are effective and easy to prepare and use.

Popular recipes for traditional medicine.

  1. Cabbage juice normalizes the digestive tract, eliminates constipation and improves appetite. To do this, you need to drink 50 - 100 ml of fresh pressed 30 minutes before breakfast.
  2. Pickled cabbage brine will relieve unpleasant symptoms of hemorrhoids. Inflorescences should be cut into small pieces, salt, put in a jar and close the lid. After 2 - 3 days, the cabbage will let the juice.Brine should be taken 100 mg 1 hour before meals twice a day. The course of treatment continues until the symptoms disappear.
  3. A vitamin drink with “curly” vegetables will help overcome vitamin deficiency. To do this, mix fresh cabbage and apple juices 1: 1. You need to drink such a cocktail in 1 glass for 30 days. This remedy is especially useful in the spring, when the body is weakened after a long winter.
  4. Compresses from cabbage will heal burns and wounds on the skin. Inflorescences must be crushed in a blender and mixed with a raw egg until smooth. Apply the resulting mixture to gauze or bandage and apply to the wound or burn for 3 to 4 hours.
  5. Rinsing based on cauliflower juice will help treat gum disease. To do this, it must be mixed with water 1: 1. Rinse your mouth 5-6 times a day.
  6. For the prevention of colds during the off-season, an immunostimulating cocktail is useful. To prepare it, mix the juices of cabbage and carrots (100 ml each), honey (2 tbsp. L.), Milk (200 ml). Drink a drink before meals 50 ml 3 times a day for a month.

Cauliflower Broth

During the cooking of cabbage, many minerals and trace elements fall into the water. That is why a decoction based on this vegetable is especially nutritious. It does not need to be poured, but rather used with benefit to the body.

The broth will do:

  • for preparing rich healthy soups, main dishes;
  • for rinsing in the presence of inflammation in the mouth;
  • for use as a slimming drink.

A decoction based on different types of cabbage improves the digestive tract, normalizes metabolic processes in the body, strengthens the immune system, and helps to reduce weight.

To prepare a useful remedy, you need to prepare:

  • cauliflower (25 g);
  • white cabbage (50 g);
  • carrots (25 g);
  • parsley root (30 g);
  • onions (20 g);
  • green onions (15 g);
  • greens (dill, parsley);
  • water (2 l).

Grind all ingredients, pour hot water and cook for half an hour under a closed lid over low heat. Ready hot broth should be filtered, insist 15 - 20 minutes and cool. You need to drink the broth cold 1 glass a day after meals.

How to use inflorescences for weight loss

For those who want to lose extra pounds, cauliflower will become a real treasure.

After all, the vegetable has the ideal characteristics of a dietary product:

  • has few calories;
  • thanks to tartronic acid, it prevents the deposition of fats;
  • has a diuretic effect on the body;
  • saturates with useful substances for a long period;
  • improves mood, which suddenly worsens in many dieters.

Many diets using cauliflower are known. They eat vegetables raw, boiled, stewed or steamed.

Popular dietary options:

  1. 3-day diet, during which you need to eat 1 kg of boiled inflorescences every day. You need to divide the cabbage into 4 - 5 approximately equal portions. During this period, you can lose 2 - 3 kg.
  2. Salad diet is an effective way to lose weight. Raw cabbage (800 g), tomatoes (300 g), lettuce and herbs should be cut, mixed and add olive oil. Such a salad should be eaten in a day, divided into 5 - 6 receptions.
  3. Cauliflower puree soup. For cooking, boil the inflorescences (600 g) and chicken breast (400 g), grind the ingredients in a blender and mix. Do not add salt or other spices, so as not to increase the calorie content of the dish. If you use only soup, then on this diet can not be more than 3 days. And if you add vegetables and low-calorie fruits to your daily diet (up to 1 kg) - the duration of the diet increases to 7 days.

Contraindications

Cauliflower is one of the most harmless vegetables. But in order to protect the body from possible harm, when using this product, some contraindications must be taken into account.

Among them:

  • increased acidity of the stomach;
  • dysentery;
  • enterocolitis;
  • peptic ulcer;
  • intestinal cramps;
  • previous operations on the abdominal cavity and chest (over the past year);
  • the presence of kidney stones;
  • arterial hypertension (use with caution);
  • gout (elevated uric acid);
  • thyroid pathology;
  • individual intolerance (it is very rare).

The manifestation of side effects is possible in case of excessive enthusiasm for the product. And the cabbage itself has nothing to do with it, it's just that everything is useful in moderation.

Cauliflower, in the absence of contraindications, can be consumed every day. And then it will bring health, energy and good mood.