Here at Souperb, we believe in the power of food as medicine and are committed to using purposeful ingredients in our soups. That’s why we’re continuing our series of posts where we explore the benefits of functional ingredients in each of Souperb’s flavors. Functional foods, beyond their basic nutritional functions, can decrease the risk of many chronic diseases and have a range of physiological benefits. Most include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Almost every single ingredient in Souperb soups is a functional ingredient! Today we’re focusing on Souperb’s flavorful Curry Cauliflower. The curry flavor is not hot and beautifully compliments the creamy cauliflower texture of this savory soup. Check out the nutrition label below for the full list of whole food, recognizable ingredients.
Cauliflower – Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable with a unique combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-detoxification components, which make it a unique food in terms of cancer prevention. High intake of cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower has been associated with lower risk of lung and colorectal cancer in some epidemiological studies. Do you think of citrus when you think of Vitamin C? Well, Cauliflower is also an excellent source of Vitamin C, which is crucial for our bodies. This chart from Harvest2U is a great visual to understand the Vitamin C content of Cauliflower, as well as alternative sources.
Onion – Onions are a great source of unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. They contain high amounts of the antioxidant quercetin; several studies have shown quercetin to have beneficial effects against many diseases and disorders including cardiovascular disease as well as breast, colon, ovarian, gastric, lung, and bladder cancers. Onions also help manage gut health due to the probiotic inulin, which promotes a healthy gastrointestinal tract and reduces constipation.
Olive Oil – The functional highlights of this Mediterranean staple is its anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular effects thanks to an extensive list of phenols and polyphenols. These phenols and polyphenols are nutrients responsible for reducing inflammatory processes within our blood vessels, which then reduces our risk of inflammation-related cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis.
Jalapeno – Are you surprised to see Jalapeno on this list of functional ingredients? Who knew that this delicious, spicy pepper would hold so many benefits for the body. Jalapenos contain capsaicin, which is a compound that has been shown in lab studies to kill over forty types of cancer cells. This powerful compound can help stop cancer cells from growing and dividing, can slow down the formation of blood vessels around tumors, and can even stop cancer from spreading to other parts of your body. Jalapenos are also an excellent source of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which we have previously discussed and neutralizes free radicals while bolstering cellular antioxidant defenses. Aside from its antioxidant benefits, jalapenos are rich in folate, vitamin K, and B vitamins.
Ginger – Ginger is likely one of the functional foods you’ve heard mentioned before, and that is because it offers so many benefits! Ginger has potential for treating a number of ailments including degenerative disorders (arthritis and rheumatism), digestive health (indigestion, constipation and ulcer), cardiovascular disorders (atherosclerosis and hypertension), vomiting, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties for controlling the process of aging. Wow!
Garlic – Garlic has long been touted for its nutritional benefits, and you may be aware of some of them. While garlic provides an excellent source of manganese and vitamin B6, vitamin C, copper, selenium, phosphorus, vitamin B1, and calcium, it is the sulfur compounds in garlic that serve as its spotlight nutrients. This is because the sulfur-containing compounds in garlic have been shown to provide us with health advantages in a wide variety of body systems, including: our immune system, inflammatory system, digestive system, endocrine system, detoxification system and mostly our cardiovascular system. The sulfur itself specifically is critical to the health of our cellular detoxification system, the health of our joints and connective tissue, and oxygen-related metabolism.
Souperb’s Curry Cauliflower is a favorite among customers that are seeking Indian inspired flavors with vegetables, herbs and spices that pack a powerful nutritional punch. Want to try it for yourself? Use our Locator tool to find a delivery/pickup option near you. Interested in using this flavor in a simple and delicious One Pot recipe? Head over to our recent blog post, which features a nutritious One Pot Curry Cauliflower Noodles recipe.
References
Cruciferous Vegetable Intake and Cancer Prevention
Cruciferous vegetables and human cancer risk: epidemiologic evidence and mechanistic basis
Onion and Garlic Intake and Breast Cancer, a Case-Control Study
Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ginger in Health
A comprehensive review of the carcinogenic and anticarcinogenic potential of capsaicin
