benefits of cauliflower

Benefits of Cauliflower

51. How to Select Fresh Cauliflower
Cauliflower is as essential as any other vegetable, which should be part of your diet. Selecting a fresh vegetable is always not so easy. Fresh cauliflowers contain more nutrients as compared to the old ones. If it is not fresh, it does not mean that it has completely lost its nutritional value, but certainly has decreased the nutritional value along with the taste. So, follow the mentioned tips to select fresh cauliflower:
52. Look for Firm and Tightly Closed Heads
Cauliflowers are the parts in these vegetables, which are consumed. So, when purchasing cauliflowers, always look for tightly closed and firm heads as they are the indicators of freshness. The looser the heads, the staler they are and also do not taste good. Raw cauliflower is firm yet a bit spongy in texture. It has a slightly sulfurous and faintly bitter flavor.
53. Look for Spots
The white varieties of cauliflower are often more common and easy to select. If they get old and stale, their heads start to look pale and spots appear on them. Before buying, always look carefully for the spots as they indicate the freshness and health of the vegetables.
54. Check the Size Weight and Color
While purchasing a cauliflower, look for cream colored heads and also the weight, more than their size. As the heads of the vegetables are tightly compact with each other, so they are heavier than they appear. Look for the heads, which look fresh and also the color of the leaves of the vegetables, whether they are still green or not.
55. How to Store Cauliflower
Storing cauliflowers is not as easy as it gets spoiled within a week or so. While storing cauliflower, keep it in tightly wrapped plastic bags in the refrigerator. You can even chop the heads of the cauliflower and store in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Keeping it at a steady temperature in the refrigerator will increase the storing capacity of this vegetable. Also, do not wash while storing the cauliflower as it will speed up the decaying process even if it is refrigerated. When you want to cook the vegetable, only wash it with water and prepare some delicious recipes.
56. Some Other Tips to Cook Cauliflower
There are several other ways to cook cauliflower and make it into a delicious meal. The health benefits of consuming cauliflower as a vegetable are just unlimited. And, whenever cooking cauliflower, do not overcook it as this will cause it to break apart, reduce its taste and color and decrease its nutritional value. Cauliflower contains chemicals and whenever it is cooked, it releases an unpleasant odor. In order to minimize the odor, add a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar. It will also give a tangy taste to your dish. Also, never cook cauliflower in aluminium or iron pots because the chemicals present in the vegetable can react with metals. This could damage the color and taste of the vegetable.
57. Antiaging
The high amount of antioxidants found in cauliflower is essential in destroying free radicals that accelerate the signs of aging particularly in/on the skin. If you purchase precut cauliflower florets, consume them within one or two days as they will lose their freshness after that. Since cooking causes cauliflower to spoil quicker, consume it within two to three days of placing in the refrigerator after cooking.
58. Arthritis
Certain compounds found in cauliflower have been shown to prevent chronic inflammation that leads to conditions such as arthritis and chronic pains. Cauliflowers belong to the cruciferous family. It is a white flowering vegetable that is known to have many health benefits. This vegetable has a good proportion of sulphur compound and is also known to support the livers ability to neutralize toxins. The members of this family also have the ability to prevent cancers. So read below to know more about cauliflower benefits.
59. Bone health
The presence of boron in this white vegetable flower makes absorption of calcium and magnesium more effective for bone development and prevention of osteoporosis and arthritis. Store uncooked cauliflower in a paper or plastic bag in the refrigerator where it will keep for up to a week. To prevent moisture from developing in the floret clusters, store it with the stem side down.
60. Cancer prevention for women
The indole3carbinol is a substance found in cauliflower that affects estrogen metabolism in the body, and prevents breast cancer and other cancers that primarily strike womens reproduction system. The health benefits of consuming vegetables are just unlimited. They provide us with various nutrients and minerals, which can help us fight against many diseases. Many physicians always advise us to include different green vegetables in our diet.