Cauliflower Side Effects: This is a common side effect of eating cauliflower (2024)

The super nutritious cauliflower tops the list of the most liked vegetables. You can make crispy parathas or enjoy delicious potato- cauliflower curry. There are so many recipes you can experiment with and the best thing is, it is easy to cook. Surprisingly, there is a common side-effect of eating cauliflowers that many are not aware of.

Cauliflower can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort!

Cauliflower is a highly modified form of cabbage in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are some other vegetables that are part of this family. Commonly known as cruciferous vegetables, green vegetables are loaded with great nutrients like folate, vitamin K, and fiber and have some amazing health benefits. Unfortunately, consuming these vegetables in excess can also lead to digestive issues. The cruciferous vegetables are hard to digest, especially when eaten raw. So, it can easily lead to the problem of bloating or gas.

All kinds of cruciferous vegetables contain raffinose, which is a type of carbohydrate. Raffinose occurs naturally in some plants, but our body is not equipped with a proper enzyme to help break it down. This means when you consume the food items containing this carbohydrate, it travels from the small intestine to the large intestine undigested. When they finally enter the large intestine, the bacteria present there begin to ferment it, which causes bloating and gas.

This is not all. Cauliflowers also contain sulfur-containing chemicals called glucosinolates. When these chemicals break down in the stomach, they form compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, which is the reason behind the smelly fart that you pass on after eating cauliflower.

Fresh cauliflower has 30 per cent more protein and many different types of antioxidants as compared to others. Besides, raw cauliflowers contain the maximum amount of antioxidants overall. When cooked the indole level in the cauliflower increases. Cauliflower can be eaten in different ways, but if you are more prone to digestive issues then it is best to always eat cooked cauliflower. Also, try to eat cauliflower in moderation for better digestive health. Avoid boiling it in water because that loses the most antioxidants.