As the keto diet is gaining popularity, low-carb vegetables like cauliflower are being used as substitutes for dishes like mashed potatoes and rice.
Other specialized diets include the low-acid diet that aims to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of acid reflux and GERD. Followers of this diet should know whether the foods they include in their meal plans are acidic, alkaline, or neutral and which triggers their symptoms.
What about cauliflower? It's fantastic for those on a keto diet, but how is it for those with acid reflux?
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Is Cauliflower Acidic or Alkaline?
With a pH of 5.6, raw cauliflower is slightly acidic but fairly close to neutral, so it should be safe for most people on a low-acid diet. Moreover, cauliflower functions as an alkaline-producing agent in the body.
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How Healthy Is Cauliflower?
Raw cauliflower contains only 25 calories per cup, making it a great addition to your diet if you're trying to lose weight. It's also a great source of fiber, with a cup containing 10% of the recommended daily intake.
Fiber contributes to your digestive health, keeps you regular, and makes you feel full longer after eating. It has also been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Cauliflower is also a great source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and magnesium.
Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level
Cauliflower contains powerful antioxidants, such as vitamin C, that fight inflammation and have been shown to reduce cancerous tumor growth.
RELATED: Is Cauliflower Really a Flower?
Will Eating Cauliflower Give Me Acid Reflux?
Although raw cauliflower is slightly acidic, it's close to neutral and functions as an alkaline-producing agent in the body, so it shouldn't trigger your acid reflux.
Delicious Ways to Eat Cauliflower
Steamed cauliflower can be bland, so try using it as a substitute for mashed potatoes. This is a delicious, nutritious, and low-carb accompaniment to your meal. You could also mix some mashed cauliflower in with your mashed potatoes.
Cauliflower pizza crust is becoming ever more popular, especially for those who are gluten sensitive.
You could also try substituting cauliflower for macaroni in a mac and cheese, turning it into cauliflower cheese.
Who Produces the Most Cauliflower?
China is the leading producer of cauliflower followed by India and then the U.S. The largest producer of cauliflower in the U.S. is California.
RELATED: Is Cauliflower Man-Made?
Cauliflower Comes in Four Colors
Cauliflower isn't always white, it also has orange, yellow, green, and purple varieties.
Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level