Are you wondering about the Asparagus Benefits? Why you must include it in your diet? What are its uses? Read ahead to find out everything!
Asparagus is a nutritious vegetable with edible shoots or stalks. It is a rich source of fiber, calcium, iron, folate, vitamins A, C, and K. Though it is native to European countries, you can find it in almost every subtropical and tropical country. Though people do not grow it as much in India, Asparagus is witnessing a lot of popularity.
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This vegetable has a long, pointy spear or shoots and comes in purple, white, and green cultivars. It has an earthy flavor.
Culinary Uses of Asparagus
You can either consume it raw in salads, or prepare it in varieties of ways by boiling, grilling, roasting, steaming, and sauteing. Besides, asparagus is a delicious addition to stir-fries, frittatas, omelets, and even pasta
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Health Benefits of Asparagus
1. Good for Gut
Asparagus is high in dietary fiber that supports regular bowel movements. Half a cup of asparagus consists of approx. 2 grams of fiber, which is around 7% of the daily requirement.
It is also rich in insoluble fiber that forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract to fosters the digestion process.
2. Aids in Weight Loss
Asparagus is low in calories but high in dietary fibers that make it an excellent supplement for weight loss. It is also rich in water content.
3. Good for Lowering Blood Pressure
Asparagus contains flavonoids quercetin, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol. These compounds contribute to lowering high blood pressure. Besides, purple asparagus has an anthocyanin compound, which reduces the risk of heart attacks.
4. Helpful in Fighting Cancer
Asparagus is high in antioxidants and has an anti-cancer effect on the human body. It contains glutathione, a detoxifying compound, that breaks down harmful compounds like carcinogens and free radicals.
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5. Serves as Natural Diuretic
High levels of amino acid asparagus work as a natural diuretic in the body. It detoxes the kidney and flushes out excess salts from the body.
6. Reduces the Chances of Depression
Asparagus has folate, which works as an anti-depressant agent. It prevents too much production of homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine is an amino acid that can interfere with the production of the hormones, contributing to euphorias like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
7. Anti Aging
Asparagus consists of glutathione that works as an anti-aging agent. Folate present in asparagus also slows down the process of aging.
NOTE – This article was originally published in India Gardening and can be viewed here
Tags: #asparagus, #calcium, #fiber, #folate, #frittatas, #getgreengetgrowing, #gngagritech, #greenstories, #health, #iron, #omelets, #vitamins A
