Start Spring off by improving your health with asparagus. This Spring vegetable is not only a tasty seasonal treat. It also has intriguing health benefits. In fact, asparagus will start Spring off by giving you a quick folate boost. It ranks high up in this department along with broccoli and spinach. Better yet, the vegetable contains antioxidants including vitamin C and carotenoids, other vitamins, minerals and fibre. Therefore it is probably one of the most beneficial vegetables.
Interestingly, major studies state that when you eat lots of fruit and vegetables there is a much lower risk of mortality, especially death from cardiovascular disease. On average, each additional serving of fruit and vegetables a day reduced mortality risk by about 5%. But asparagus contains benefits that exceed most vegetables and fruits. It also has compounds that help regulate blood pressure. This might reduce hypertension risk which is a major factor in cardiovascular disease.
Other than its delicious flavor, asparagus can also help fight cancer. It’s good for your brain and may even help you slim down. There’s no nutritionally dense vegetable quite like asparagus to start Spring off healthier. Just remember that it’s best to eat your asparagus as soon as you buy it. Pair it with lots of other spring vegetables and flavors. We’re thinking peas, garlic or baby potatoes.
Start Spring With A Healthy Boost
According to research, the health benefits of asparagus extend far. Apparently, it can help promote a healthy pregnancy, improved fertility, relief from the premenstrual syndrome, and improved bone health. Moreover, this yummy vegetable may even help you to manage conditions like diabetes, hangovers, cataracts, rheumatism, depression, neurodegenerative diseases, and convulsions. Better yet, it could also reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and blood cholesterol.
It is also brilliant for digestive health and has shown anticancer potential. You don’t need to worry about your waistline either because just 1 cup of cooked asparagus contains only40 calories. It also provides you with 4 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and 404 milligrams of potassium. We need lots of Potassium in our bodies because it regulates blood pressure. Researchers state that asparagus also contains a compound called asparaptine, which helps improve blood flow and in turn helps lower blood pressure.
Besides tasting amazing, this spring veggie is filled with reasons to enjoy it with your meals. Let’s explore some benefits and why you should eat more asparagus.
Asparagus Is Loaded With Nutrients
Start spring right with this nutrient-packed vegetable. Experts explain that asparagus is an excellent source of fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as chromium. This is a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells. So if you’re trying to keep an eye on your blood sugar then this is great news for you.
Lower Your Risk Of Cancer
For your information, asparagus is part of the herbaceous plant family. This includes avocado, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Start Spring with asparagus because it’s especially rich in glutathione, which is a detoxifying compound. This compound can help break down carcinogens and other harmful compounds like free radicals.
That’s why eating asparagus may help protect against and fight certain forms of cancer, such as bone, breast, colon, larynx, and lung cancers.
Antioxidant-Packed
You’ll find that asparagus is one of the top-ranked fruits and vegetables for its ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals.
This is a great way to start Spring because it could help you slow the aging process and reduce inflammation.
Mental Health
Asparagus is an incredible addition to your cooking because it promotes a healthy brain which is key to living a happy, long life.
This is an integral anti-aging property. If you start spring with this delicious vegetable, it might help assist your brain in fighting cognitive decline. Like leafy greens, asparagus delivers folate, which works with vitamin B12-found in fish, poultry, meat, and dairy to help prevent cognitive impairment.
Moreover, studies using older adults with healthy levels of folate and B12 performed better on a test of response speed and mental flexibility. So if you’re over age-50, then be sure you’re getting enough B12. This is because your ability to absorb it decreases with age.
There are more studies demonstrating that asparagus racemosus is effective in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Some of which include Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases. They’ve linked these benefits to the presence of phytoestrogens in asparagus, which have certain neuroprotective effects. Neurodegenerative diseases are genetic or periodic conditions affecting the neurons of the human brain. The issue is that the body doesn’t normally have the ability to replace the damaged neurons.
Relieving Depression
As you may know, depression is forever increasing around the world. We need to do as much as possible to help alleviate some of its symptoms.
Scientific research is showing the efficacy of asparagus racemosus as an anti-anxiety and anti-depressant drug. You see, now you can also help start Spring off on a happier note. Asparagus may even help enhance memory, increase the production and secretion of estrogen, and revitalize and calm the nervous system. A pretty amazing way to start Spring, right?
Naturally Good For Digestion
Asparagus contains high amounts of a nutrient called inulin. This is a kind of complex carbohydrate, commonly known as prebiotic. It does not get digested until it reaches the large intestine, where it is fed upon by a kind of good bacteria like lactobacilli. Inulin aids in the improved absorption of nutrients.
Start Spring with asparagus because it is also packed with high levels of the amino acid asparagine. This acts as a natural diuretic. Increased urination not only releases fluid but helps rid the body of excess salt. This is especially beneficial for people who suffer from edema (an accumulation of fluids in the body’s tissues) and those who have high blood pressure or other heart-related diseases.
You might also be wondering why eating asparagus causes a strong urinary odor. Well, experts explain that asparagus contains a unique compound that, when metabolized, gives off a distinctive smell in the urine. Young asparagus contains higher concentrations of the compound, so the odor is stronger after eating it.
Fortunately, there are no harmful effects, either from the sulfuric compounds or the odor. So you can happily start Spring by cooking with more asparagus!
When shopping, the most common type of asparagus is green. However, you might find two others in supermarkets and restaurants: white, which is more delicate and difficult to harvest, and purple, which is smaller and fruitier in flavor. No matter the type you choose, start Spring with this vegetable. Asparagus is a delicious, versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways or enjoyed raw in salads.
Want to know more?
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References
5 Powerful Health Benefits of Asparagus You Probably Didn’t Know. Eating Well. http://www.eatingwell.com/article/17129/5-powerful-health-benefits-of-asparagus-you-probably-didnt-know/
17 Impressive Benefits Of Asparagus. Organic Facts. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-asparagus.html
Cancer: Treatments & Home Remedies. Organic Facts. https://www.organicfacts.net/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-cancer.html
What’s New And Beneficial About Asparagus? The World’s Healthiest Foods. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=12
The Unique Health Benefits Of Asparagus. Noted. https://www.noted.co.nz/health/health-nutrition/asparagus-the-unique-health-benefits
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