The asparagus season will start in a few weeks. There are plenty of reasons to fill your plate with this spring superfood more often. In addition to being a tasty vegetable, it is packed with vitamins and minerals that provide many serious health benefits. We have listed them here.
It can help you achieve your weight loss goals In addition to being low in fat and calories, asparagus is also high in soluble and insoluble fiber, making it a great choice if you're trying to lose weight. Because your body digests fiber slowly, you stay full between meals.
It is good for your urinary tract Asparagus contains high levels of the amino acid asparagine, making it a natural diuretic. In other words, eating more asparagus can help flush out excess fluid and salt from your body, which can help prevent UTIs.
It is full of antioxidants Asparagus - especially purple asparagus - is full of anthocyanins, which give fruits and vegetables their red, blue and purple hues and have antioxidant effects that can help your body fight harmful free radicals. When cooking asparagus, try not to overcook them. Overheating of the asparagus can leave the vitamins in the water.
It contains vitamin E Asparagus is also a source of vitamin E, another important antioxidant. This vitamin helps strengthen your immune system and protects cells from the damaging effects of free radicals.
It can help you get in the mood
Asparagus is a natural aphrodisiac thanks to vitamin B6 and folate, which can stimulate feelings of arousal. Plus, vitamin E boosts sex hormones, including estrogen in women and testosterone in men.
It can relieve a hangover If you crave a greasy breakfast in the morning after too much booze, research suggests a side of asparagus may be a better choice. The study suggested that the minerals and amino acids in asparagus extract may help alleviate hangovers and protect liver cells from the toxins in alcohol.
It beats bloating When it comes to fighting bloating, asparagus can do a lot. The vegetable aids overall digestion (another benefit of all that soluble and insoluble fiber!). And thanks to prebiotics — carbohydrates that can't be digested and help encourage a healthy balance of good bacteria, or probiotics, in your digestive tract — it can also reduce gas. Plus, as a natural diuretic, asparagus helps flush out excess fluid.
It is a rich source of folic acid
Four asparagus spears contain 22% of your recommended daily intake of folic acid. Folic acid is essential for women who are planning to become pregnant. A study showed that folic acid supplements reduced the risk of preterm birth by 50% when taken at least a year before conception compared to women who did not take extra folic acid.
It is full of vitamin K Along with other green, leafy vegetables, asparagus is a good source of vitamin K. The vitamin is crucial for blood clotting (which helps your body stop bleeding after a cut) and for bone health.
It boosts your mood Asparagus is packed with folic acid, a B vitamin that can cheer you up and help prevent irritation. Researchers have found a link between low levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 in people suffering from depression. Asparagus also contains high levels of tryptophan, an amino acid similarly linked to improved mood.
