Broccoli versus Cauliflower Comparisons Plus!

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BROCCOLI'S superfood status has given cauliflower a beating, with sales of the white stuff slumping 35 per cent in the past decade.  The following is a British newspaper article which give interesting comparisons between competing foods...

British cauliflower growers are on the ropes after dozens of studies suggesting broccoli can help knock out cancer and other diseases.

But cauliflower is part of the same brassica family of veg and contains the SAME anti-cancer plant chemicals.

Our tale of the tape shows it's not the only British staple to give exotic rivals a run for their money.

Fight one: Broccoli vs cauliflower

AT around 29p per 100g (roughly one serving), broccoli is rich in a plant chemical called indole-3 carbinol - or I3C - which significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a recent study. It is also a source of immune-boosting vitamin C.

But cauliflower, at just 18p per 100g, packs a more powerful punch with similar levels of I3C and higher levels of lecithin, a fatty acid that helps lower cholesterol.

It also contains vitamin C and folate, which helps to prevent birth defects, as well as dietary fibre, which aids weight loss. And it's a native veg so clocks up fewer air miles.

Winner: Cauliflower by a knockout

Fight two: Green tea vs builder's tea

GREEN tea, costing around £2.38 per 100g, can increase the rate you use calories, with two cups burning off 70 calories.

It also has flavonoids, thought to protect against breast, lung and stomach cancers and artery damage.

At just 76p per 100g, builders' tea provides almost as many flavonoids as its rival.

The US Government ORAC system, which scores antioxidant foods - the higher the figure the better - puts a builders' brew at 1,128 compared to green's 1,253.

Winner: Builders' tea by a knockout

Fight three: Mango vs rhubarb

MANGOS cost around £1 per fruit, for which you get three times the recommended intake (3mg) of cancer-fighting compound beta-carotene.They also offer plant chemicals that support the immune system and fibre for a healthy digestive system.

Rhubarb at 74p per 100g is also a good source of beta-carotene and matches mango when it comes to fibre.

However, it hammers the tropical fruit on potassium, which helps regulate our heart rate, nerve function and muscle contraction.

Winner: Mango throws in the towel

Fight four: Pomegranate juice vs tomato juice

FOR a painful 14p per 100ml (a small glassful), pomegranate juice may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease if drunk daily, one study found.

The same report also suggested a glass a day could slow prostate cancer.

Pomegranates are grown in the Middle East, so they are environmental losers.

Tomato juice, at 3p per 100ml, is a rich source of vitamin C and lycopene, which cuts the risk of prostate cancer.

Tomatoes can also be grown in the UK.

Winner: Tomato juice on points

Fight five: Blueberries vs English plums

BLUEBERRIES may be pricey at £1 per 100g but they pack an impressive antioxidant punch with an ORAC rating of 6,552.

They also have plant chemicals that may help slow the growth of cervical and breast cancer cells.

Plums are almost as strong on antioxidants with an ORAC rating of 6,259 and cost just 30p per 100g.

Plums are also a good source of beta-carotene.

Winner: Plums on points

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