Outofstress.com

What is Asparagus Good For?

Asparagus, a plant of the lily family native to large parts of Europe, western Asia and north Africa and akin to onions and garlic, is harvested for consumption when the shoots are young and tender.

It is considered a highly beneficial health food due to the presence of many vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients. So what is asparagus good for? Let’s find out.

Nutritional Information for Asparagus

Although asparagus is jam packed with nutrients it is very low in both calories and sodium or salt making it an excellent choice for all types of diet including weight loss.

Fibre – asparagus is a good source of digestible dietary fibre which keeps our digestive tract functioning to its optimum. Fibre works on many levels within our stomach, colon and intestines to facilitate regular, healthy and efficient removal of waste products from our body and ensuring good bacteria is present.

Because of the way fibre helps to regulate our blood sugar levels through controlled absorption of food, it means we stay feeling full or satiated for longer and asparagus can therefore be a useful part of a weight loss diet.

Vitamin B6 – found in high levels in asparagus, this vitamin plays an important role in breaking down food and the processes necessary for energy conversion from food. It helps in maintaining the health of the immune and neural systems as well as blood and skin.

Calcium, magnesium, zinc – all of these are found in good levels in asparagus and are essential minerals for normal body functions including the health and maintenance of the heart, bones, nerves, soft tissue, activation of B group vitamins and effective blood clotting.

Vitamin A – this vitamin plays a role in many biological processes including eye health, immunity, cell reproduction and bone growth.

Vitamin C – works as a protector for many of the body’s systems, also necessary for maximum resistance to disease and infections and for rapid wound healing. It plays a part in the health of skin, teeth, gums and soft tissue.

Vitamin E – a powerful anti-oxidant which works to protect the body’s systems from damage.

Vitamin K – necessary for blood clotting.

Asparagus also contains all of the following vitamins, minerals and nutrients:

• Copper
• Folic acid
• Iron
• Manganese
• Niacin
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Riboflavin
• Rutin
• Selenium
• Thiamine

Asparagus and Cancer Prevention

Asparagus has a history of being used for medicinal purposes possibly due to its anti-oxidant properties. Asparagus is also good for constipation alleviation, as a diuretic, as a liver and kidney detoxifier and also as an energy booster or fatigue remedy.

There are many reports that asparagus can work as a cancer preventative. Asparagus does contain glutathione which is thought may have anti-carcinogenic properties. There is as yet no conclusive evidence to link asparagus and cancer prevention but further research may well prove otherwise.

Health Benefits of Eating Raw Asparagus

Asparagus is most commonly cooked to be eaten but some people prefer it raw and as a salad vegetable. There is some evidence to suggest that raw asparagus may have additional health benefits to when it is cooked. The benefits of vitamins B and C for example, may be partially lost through cooking although experts disagree on this subject. Additionally, some nutrition professionals recommend a raw asparagus or asparagus juice diet for certain conditions which manifest with extreme physical and mental fatigue.

However you decide to eat it, there is no doubt that there are many good health benefits in the inclusion of asparagus in your diet.

This article on the health benefits of asparagus has been written by expert author ‘Deneice Arthurton’.