By: Just Minnie
Asparagus, officially known as asparagus officinalis is a member of the lily family. It has been valued for years for its unique flavor, rich texture, and medicinal qualities. Asparagus has detoxifying properties and contains antioxidants that strengthen the heart and blood vessels. In Chinese medicine, it is to be suggested that people with respiratory illnesses, and ease menstrual problems.
Asparagus is a good source of nutrients including:
-Vitamin A – Vitamin C – Vitamin E – Vitamin K – Fiber – Folate
What Is It Good For?
Supports The Gut – (better overall digestive tract function) – Asparagus contains insulin, a prebiotic that encourages healthy gut flora. Also has mild laxative and diuretic properties. These compounds help the growth of good bacteria flourish in your gut.
Better Blood Glucose Control – Consuming asparagus can help improve your blood glucose levels and help manage diabetes. The fiber in asparagus is beneficial for managing
- Prediabetes
- Type 1 diabetees
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, Non-starchy vegetables should be an important part of any diabetes meal plan
* Tip: Try eating it raw for maximum prebiotic effects
Helps With Weight Loss – Asparagus is low in calories as well as being nutritious. It is also a very good source of fiber and this helps to make us feel full in addition to helping to keep the digestive system healthy. This helps to reduce our calorie intake overall which will, in turn, help us to lose weight.
Boost Your Mood- Aspartic acid neutralizes excess ammonia in the body, which could otherwise result in a sense of feeling drained and lacking in vigor. Asparagus is full of folate, a B vitamin that could lift your spirits and help ward off irritability. Researchers have found a connection between low levels of folate and vitamin B12 in people who are suffering from depression, leading some docs to prescribe daily doses of both vitamins to patients with depression. Asparagus also contains high levels of tryptophan, an amino acid that has been similarly linked to improved mood.
Anti-Inflammatory – Inflammation can be the cause of many ailments, some of which can be very difficult to live with. Arthritis, for example, is largely caused by inflammation and this can be very painful while also limiting mobility. Eat the right foods, though, and you could help to keep inflammation at bay. One of these foods is asparagus. Asparagus has anti-inflammatory properties which could make it ideal for people with arthritis and other conditions caused by inflammation. Even if it does not make the symptoms go away completely, it might at least help to make the patient feel more comfortable in everyday life.
Improved Pregnancy Health – Asparagus is a great source of folate, a B vitamin. Its folate content makes it one of the best vegetables to eat during pregnancy. Getting enough folate from sources like asparagus, green leafy vegetables, and fruit can protect against neural tube defects, including spina bifida. In fact, adequate folate is so vital during pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy that folate supplements are recommended to ensure women meet their requirements.
Protects The Heart And More – A great source of B vitamins, especially folate, which may help control homocysteine, a substance that promotes heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline. Another benefit of eating enough fiber is that it helps regulate cholesterol. Too much cholesterol in your diet can cause and heart disease. The insoluble fiber in asparagus binds to any cholesterol in your digestive system and helps carry it out before you absorb it. Plus, the potassium in asparagus can help lower cholesterol and regulate your heartbeat.
Serves As A Natural Diuretic – Something that makes asparagus nutrition unique is that this veggie contains chemicals that make it act as a natural diuretic, which means asparagus promotes the production of urine and can help fight bloating. This increases the excretion of water from the body, in particular ridding the body of excess salt and fluid. It also allows helping regulate blood pressure, according to certain studies. Asparagus nutrition is rich in the amino acid asparagine and is used along with lots of fluids as “irrigation therapy” to increase urine output. This is especially beneficial for people who suffer from edema, which is the accumulation of fluids in the body’s tissues.
Healthy Blood – Our blood is the color it is because it contains a lot of iron. This metal is so important to us because it enables our red blood cells to carry oxygen. This then means that the blood is able to transport the oxygen to wherever it is needed in the body. Asparagus is a good source of iron, helping to keep the blood healthy and able to carry all the oxygen it needs. A serving will provide around 16% of what you need every day. It can also help to keep your blood healthy by keeping you in good condition overall.
Support Skin Health – Asparagus benefits for skin include protecting against sun damage and even potentially skin cancer. This is due to the presence of vitamin A and antioxidants. Vitamin C, E, and A, beta-carotene, and polyphenols are among the antioxidants many dermatologists recommend including in your diet to help prevent skin-related issues. Vitamin A may also help balance out oil production and help manage acne.
You Ever Wondered Why Urine Smell After Eating Asparagus Asparagusic acid is a sulfur-containing compound that seems to be found exclusively in asparagus. It’s a nontoxic substance that produces a sulfurous odor, which some say is similar to rotten cabbage. Since a strong and pungent smell characterizes many sulfur-containing components, such as rotten eggs, natural gas, or skunk spray, scientists believe that asparagusic acid may be the cause of your pee’s funny scent after eating the vegetable
It is important to consume a balanced, healthful diet than to boost the intake of any one fruit or vegetable.
– Just Minnie
