| With regards to healthy eating and making wise | | | | cruciferous vegetables were either cut or chewed. |
| food choices, cauliflower stands in a class all it's | | | | Laboratory research on mice revealed the fact |
| own. Closely related to broccoli, it is of the same | | | | human prostate cancer cell growth was inhibited |
| species as cabbage and Brussels sprouts. | | | | from growing in the affected mice. It was also |
| Cauliflower is an annual plant. It matures to be | | | | found that these phytochemicals may indeed |
| eaten only once per year and is cultivated from | | | | retard the formation of blood vessels that feed |
| seeds. While we are lectured to eat our greens, | | | | certain types of cancer lesions. |
| please don't forget the nutrient dense white | | | | Dr. Shivendra Singh, professor of pharmacology |
| florets of the cauliflower plant. Cauliflower is rich in | | | | and urology at the University of Pittsburg states, |
| Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folate, and potassium. It is a | | | | "The contribution of diet to cancer risk and |
| source high in dietary fiber. Certain strains of | | | | prevention has been a major focus of research in |
| cauliflower can be colored orange or purple. No | | | | recent years because certain nutrients in |
| matter what the color, cauliflower is good for you. | | | | vegetables and dietary agents appear to protect |
| Cauliflower is classified as a cruciferous vegetable, | | | | the body against diseases such as cancer." Not |
| just like all of the cabbage family vegetables, due | | | | only are the natural cancer fighting agents found |
| to the cross shaped flowers it produces. | | | | in cauliflower valuable, to say the least, it seems |
| Cruciferous vegetables, including the cauliflower, | | | | that cauliflower may play a major role in keeping |
| are known for their cancer fighting benefits. As | | | | bones healthy. Research indicates that getting |
| reported by Science Daily May, 2006, cauliflower | | | | more than 100 mcgs of Vitamin K per day can |
| in particular may have certain phytochemicals that | | | | help lower the risk of hip fractures. A third of that |
| may help reduce the risk of some hereditary | | | | amount exists in 2 cups of cauliflower. |
| cancers. Rich in the phytochemical called | | | | Given the amazing health benefits of this often |
| suphloraphane, a Rutgers University research | | | | ignored and misunderstood super vegetable, it |
| team demonstrated this compound inhibited | | | | would seem logical to include a couple servings per |
| carcinogenic cancers in laboratory rats. More | | | | week for either breakfast, lunch or dinner. |
| importantly, the chemo protective properties, with | | | | Cauliflower is easy to obtain as it is available year |
| regard to hereditary cancers, were promising. | | | | round. It usually is reasonably priced and offers a |
| According to the American Cancer Society, it is | | | | big bang for the buck. A flexible vegetable, it is |
| estimated that at least two thirds of cancer | | | | delicious and can be prepared and served a |
| cases can be prevented by diet and lifestyle | | | | variety of ways. Raw of course is always |
| changes. It is estimated that nearly one third of | | | | wonderful. Enjoy the delicious florets by the |
| these cancer cases can be attributed to a poor | | | | handfuls. Cauliflower can be cut into salads, |
| diet alone. Research conducted at the University | | | | blended with cabbage into a healthy slaw recipe, |
| of Pittsburg Cancer Institute isolated yet another | | | | or used in soups and stews. For those watching |
| anti-cancer compound found in cauliflower, | | | | their carbs, mashed cauliflower is a wonderful |
| phenethyl-ITC. It was found this naturally | | | | potato replacement. |
| occurring compound was released when | | | | |
