The Mighty Cauliflower

Cauliflower the Head of the Cruciferous Vegetable Family

By William Gamonski

While broccoli is the most well-known member of the cruciferous vegetable family, evidence is showing that cauliflower has important broad-spectrum health benefits as well. With its bioactive compounds, glucosinolates, and indole-3- carbinol,1 cauliflower shows great promise in providing substantial protection against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Cancer Protection

 

Phytochemicals are plant compounds that exhibit potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative properties, making them ideal cancer fighters.2 Cauliflower contains a high concentration of a class of phytochemicals known as glucosinolates, which are metabolized into isothiocyanates.1
A recent study published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry sheds light on how isothiocyanates in cauliflower exert their anti-cancer activity.3 Normal cells contain gene p53, which help suppress cancer cell growth. However, if a mutation in gene p53 occurs, it can have the opposite effect which allows abnormal cell division that leads to the formation of cancer. Researchers have discovered that isothiocyanates effectively bind to this defective protein and remove it from the cell, thereby restoring the normal function of gene p53 in blocking cancer cell growth.3
Other research shows that the isothiocyanate sulforaphane combats cancer through different mechanisms. It significantly induces Phase II liver enzymes, which detoxify and neutralize cancer causing agents.4 Additionally, sulforaphane also works by inhibiting a group of enzymes that alter gene expression and produce proteins involved in cancer initiation.5
These multiple modes of action help explain the strong protective effect of cauliflower consumption against various forms of cancer. In one such study reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, consuming more than one serving of cauliflower a day produced a 61% reduction in lung cancer risk.6 Another study showed that just one serving of cauliflower a week was associated with a 27% lower risk of bladder cancer.7
Italian scientists compared cruciferous vegetable intake, including cauliflower, among individuals with and without several common cancers. The results revealed that those who ate cruciferous vegetables at least once a week slashed their risk of oral, colorectal, and breast cancers by 17%, as well as esophagus and kidney cancers by 28% and 32%, respectively.8

 

Improving Cardiovascular Health

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a high intake of cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower reduced the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease by 31%.1 A growing body of evidence indicates that several diverse compounds in cauliflower might be responsible for this cardioprotective effect.9
While the content of cholesterol in LDL particles has been the standard for assessing cardiovascular risk, research indicates that the number of LDL particles is a stronger predictor for developing atherosclerosis and future vascular events including heart attack and stroke.10 Since each LDL particle contains one apolipoprotein (apoB), apoB provides a direct count of the number of LDL particles in circulation. Therefore, reducing apoB leads to a lower LDL particle number and reduced heart disease risk.10
Scientists at the University of Hawaii at Manoa investigated the impact of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a compound found in large amounts in cauliflower, on apoB secretion in cultured liver cells.11 After exposing the liver cells to I3C, they observed a 56% reduction in apoB secretion that resulted from a decline in the creation of triglycerides and cholesterol esters in the cells, thereby improving heart health.

 

Cauliflower-rich I3C has also demonstrated the ability to improve platelet function. In a study published in Phytotherapy Research, indole-3-carbinol was shown to significantly inhibit platelet aggregation (stickiness) that can induce a blood clot and cause heart attack or stroke.12
Another cardiovascular benefit of cauliflower relates to its high fiber content, which might have a protective effect against high levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker associated with predicting cardiovascular disease risk. Researchers examined the relationship between dietary fiber intake and C-reactive protein levels in more than 3,900 men and women aged 20 and older. After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, gender, physical activity and BMI, those with the highest fiber intake had a 51% lower risk for elevated C-reactive protein levels compared with those with the lowest intakes.13
Furthermore, cauliflower is an excellent source of folate and vitamin B6 that might lessen the likelihood of a heart attack. In a study comparing the intake of both vitamins in 507 first time heart attack patients with 478 controls, researchers concluded those who consumed the highest intake of folate and vitamin B6 reduced their heart attack risk by 44% and 66%.14

Selecting and Storing Cauliflower

• Cauliflower is freshest during the growing season from December through March.
• Pick cauliflower that has a full, creamy white head and tight bud clusters.
• Avoid cauliflower with the appearance of small brown spots.
• Place uncooked cauliflower with stem side down in plastic bag and store in refrigerator for up to a week.

Defending Against Diabetes

 

In recent years, scientists have begun to unravel the role of inflammation in the onset of type II diabetes. They have discovered that chronic inflammation induces insulin resistance, which in turn disrupts normal glucose tolerance and eventually leads to the development of type II diabetes.15 Strong evidence indicates that eating vitamin C rich foods like cauliflower can help modulate inflammation and reduce the risk for the disease. In one study, English researchers found a strong association between blood levels of vitamin C and diabetes risk, with the highest plasma levels of the vitamin reducing diabetes risk by a remarkable 62% in over 21,800 men and women aged 40 to 75 over a 12-year period.16
As a rich source of potassium, cauliflower might help regulate glucose metabolism. Potassium is required by the beta cells in the pancreas to "sense" elevated blood sugar levels and respond appropriately by secreting the hormone insulin. However, in people with low levels of potassium, beta cells have decreased sensitivity to increased blood glucose levels and as a result reduce insulin output.17 Over time, this impairs glucose tolerance and increases diabetes risk. This was supported in a study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine in which people with low potassium blood levels had a 64% greater risk for type II diabetes.18

Rheumatoid Arthritis Prevention

Regular consumption of cauliflower might decrease the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune inflammatory disease that targets and damages joints in the body. In research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, greater than three servings of cauliflower a month was linked to a 17% lower risk of the condition after controlling for confounding factors including smoking, age, tea consumption, and total calorie intake.19

Summary

Cauliflower contains a wealth of fiber and choline, along with powerful phytochemical compounds indole-3-carbinol and isothiocyanates. These health promoting nutrients make incorporating cauliflower into your daily diet a smart strategy to protect against heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension® Health Advisor at 1-866-864-3027.

Raw Cauliflower Nutritional Facts, One Cup

Nutrients	Amount	DV(%)
Vitamin C	46.4 mg	77%
Vitamin K	16.0 mcg	20%
Folate	57.0 mcg	14%
Vitamin B6	0.2 mg	11%
Fiber	2.5 g	10%
Potassium	303.0 mg	9%
Manganese	0.2 mg	8%
Vitamin B5	0.7 mg	7%

References

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