Cauliflower is a vegetable that often eaten as a salad or cooked together in a soup. This vegetable has various important nutrient contents for pregnant women, such as folate, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B, calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc.
The benefits of cauliflower during pregnancy have been proven through many studies. Per 100 grams (1 cup) cauliflower contains nutrients as follow:
| Calories 25 | |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 0.3g | 0% |
| Saturated fat 0.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated fat 0g | |
| Monounsaturated fat 0g | |
| Trans fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 30mg | 1% |
| Potassium 299mg | 8% |
| Total Carbohydrate 5g | 1% |
| Dietary fiber 2g | 8% |
| Sugar 1.9g | |
| Protein 1.9g | 3% |
| Vitamin A | 0% |
| Calcium | 2% |
| Vitamin D | 0% |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 80% |
| Iron | 2% |
| Vitamin B-6 | 10% |
| Magnesium | 3% |
| *% Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. | |
Based on the nutrition above, there are 14 great benefits of cauliflower during pregnancy:
1. Helps the brain development of the fetus.
2. Supports fetal cell growth and replication.
Cauliflower contains vitamin B6 which is needed for cell growth and replication in the fetus. The enough amount of vitamin B6 will support the fetal organ to develop optimally. Besides, the development of the nervous system can be supported as well.
3. Acts as an antioxidant in pregnant women.
Cauliflower is rich in vitamin C. One cup of cauliflower (100 grams) is enough to fulfill the daily need of vitamin C in pregnant women which is about 80-85 milligrams of vitamin C. This vitamin acts as antioxidant to prevent free radicals that harmful for the mother and the baby.
4. Boosts the immune system.
Boosting the immune system is the other benefits of cauliflower during pregnancy because of its vitamin C content. Vitamin C plays the role in the immune system to prevent infection that may happen in pregnant women. Besides, the selenium contained helps also optimizing immune system.
5. Helps in bone and teeth development of the fetus.
High calcium contained becomes the great benefits of cauliflower during pregnancy. Pregnant women need 1000-1300 milligrams of calcium to support the development of their fetus. This mineral is important to help the development of bone and teeth in the fetus.
6. Neutralize toxin in pregnant women.
Cauliflower has the good sulfur compound to support the liver neutralizing toxin from the blood. It makes the blood flow to the fetus is free from any toxic substances and safe for them.
7. Prevents constipation during pregnancy.
Preventing constipation becomes the other great benefits of cauliflower during pregnancy. This vegetable is rich in fiber which helps the digestive system process the food well so constipation can be prevented.
8. Helps to prevent anemia during pregnancy.
Cauliflower contains iron and vitamin C which can prevent anemia. Iron is a mineral needed for red blood cell formation and vitamin C helps the iron to be absorbed easily.
9. Helps to prevent muscle cramp during pregnancy.
Preventing muscle cramp is the amazing benefits of cauliflower during pregnancy. The potassium contained in this vegetables control the muscle contraction. If the potassium level reaches a normal level, muscle cramp in pregnant women can be prevented.
10. Maintains fluid balancing in the pregnant women.
Cauliflower contains sodium and potassium, the electrolyte needed by the body to maintain the fluid balancing in the pregnant women. This is the important benefits of cauliflower during pregnancy to prevent dehydration condition in the pregnant women.
11. Prevents the unwanted bleeding during pregnancy.
Cauliflower has vitamin K which plays the role to stop the bleeding. This vegetable is good to be consumed in the late pregnancy to help the unwanted bleeding during labor or after giving birth.
12. Helps the placenta formation.
The other great benefits of cauliflower during pregnancy come again from its folate contained. In addition, this nutrient helps the placenta formation for the fetus also.
13. Helps in the formation of skin, nerves, and digestive system of the fetus.
Rich in niacin sourced is the other health benefits of cauliflower during pregnancy. Niacin is the important nutrient for developing the skin, nerves, and digestive system of the fetus.
14. Helps to maintain the health of the heart during pregnancy.
The amazing benefits of cauliflower during pregnancy are helping to maintain the health of the heart and help the heart pumping extra blood to the uterus as fetal nutrition. These benefits come from its potassium and fiber contained. As we know, potassium controls the blood pressure in normal level so the heart will not overload. Besides, the fiber contained also prevents the vessels in the heart from stiffness.
14 great benefits of cauliflower during pregnancy have been shared above to show that cauliflowers are good to be consumed during pregnancy. You can eat this vegetable in several ways. You can eat cauliflowers as a salad, mix it with mash potato, or cook this vegetable as a soup. Before you cook or eat them, make sure that you wash them by rinsing several times to get rid of the worm, insect, or pesticide that may be attached.
Always remember to eat this vegetable in a proper amount. One cup per day is enough. If you eat cauliflower in an excessive amount, your stomach will gas full and they can make heartburn.