Benefits of Asparagus
One of the primary foods that signal the beginning of spring is fresh asparagus at your nearest farmers’ markets and grocery stores. Asparagus provides you the opportunity to experiment in the kitchen and make the most of this vegetable’s bountiful benefits throughout the season. Below are some reasons to love asparagus, apart from its deliciously unique taste:
1. It is loaded with nutrients
Asparagus is undoubtedly one of the best suppliers of fiber, folate, vitamin A, C, E and K, in addition to having as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the power of hypoglycemic agent to move sugar from the blood into cells.
2. It fights all kinds of cancers
This non-woody plant – along with avocado, kale and Brussels sprouts – provides very healthy supply of glutathione, a detoxifying compound that helps break down carcinogens and other different harmful compounds like free radicals. This is why consumption of asparagus can facilitate defense against cellular mutations that ultimately lead to cancers like breast cancer, lung cancer and brain cancer.
3. Asparagus is full of antioxidants
It’s one of the highest graded vegetables for its ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. Antioxidants balance out the free radical damage done to the cells, thereby limiting pre-mature wrinkles and staving off any signs of aging.
4. Asparagus is excellent for the brain
Another anti-aging property of this delicious spring vegetable is that it delays 
brain’s cognitive decline with age. Like leafy greens, asparagus delivers folic acid that works with vitamin B12 to stop early cognitive impairment. During a study from Tufts University, older adults with healthy levels of B-complex and B12 performed higher on a test of response speed and mental flexibility, and this ratio proved to be significantly higher in those who frequently used asparagus in their menu.
5. It is a natural diuretic
Asparagus contains high levels of the amino alkanoic acid called asparagine, which is a natural drug facilitating in urination. Increased urination releases body fluid and helps free the body of excess salts. This can be particularly helpful for those who suffer from body swelling (an accumulation of fluids within the body’s tissues, called edema) and people who have high blood pressure or different heart-related diseases.
The multifold benefits of asparagus deserve to be acknowledged, and this vegetable must be a regular part of our spring meals. In fact, it’s a very diverse vegetable that can be exclusively used in exotic dishes, and you can enjoy both the taste and texture while enjoying its abundant benefits.
Johanna Oosterwijk ND.
