Health
benefits
Heart health
Asparagus is good for your
ticker in a variety of ways. Asparagus is extremely high in vitamin K, which
helps blood clot. And the vegetable’s high level of B vitamins helps regulate
the amino acid homocysteine, too
much of which can be a serious risk factor in heart disease, according to
Harvard University School of Public Health.
Asparagus also has more than 1
gram of soluble fiber per cup, which lowers the risk of heart disease, and the
amino acid asparagine helps flush
your body of excess salt. Lastly, asparagus has excellent anti-inflammatory
effects and high levels of antioxidants, both of which may help reduce the risk
of heart disease.
Regulating blood sugar
Vitamin B6 may affect blood
sugar levels and advises caution for people who have diabetes or low blood
sugar. However, those with healthy levels can benefit from asparagus’s ability
to regulate it.
Lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes
As with heart disease, risk of
type 2 diabetes increases with excessive inflammation and oxidative stress.
Therefore, asparagus’ impressive anti-inflammatory properties and high levels
of antioxidants make it a good preventive food. A 2011 study published in the
British Journal of Nutrition also suggested that asparagus’ ability to improve
insulin secretion and improve beta-cell function also helps lower the risk of
type 2 diabetes. Beta cells are unique cells in the pancreas that produce,
store and release insulin.
Anti-aging benefits
The antioxidant glutathione is
thought to slow the aging process, according to a 1998 article in The Lancet journal.
And the folate that asparagus
provides works with B12 to prevent cognitive decline. A Tufts University study
found that older adults with healthy levels of folate and B12 performed better
during a test of response speed and mental flexibility than those with lower
levels of folate and B12.
Skin
Yet another amazing thing about
the antioxidant glutathione: it helps protect the skin from sun damage and
pollution.
Keeping you cleansed and preventing kidney
stones
Asparagus can act as a natural
diuretic, according to a 2010 study published in the West Indian Medical
Journal. This can help rid the body of excess salt and fluid, making it
especially good for people suffering from edema and high blood pressure. It also
helps flush out toxins in kidneys and prevent kidney stones. On the other hand,
the National Institutes of Health recommends that people who are suffering from
uric acid kidney stones should avoid asparagus.
Pregnancy health
Nutritionist Laura Flores noted
asparagus’s significant amount of folate, which she said “is important for
women of childbearing age to consume daily.” Folate can decrease the risk of
neural-tube defects in fetuses, so it is essential that mothers-to-be get
enough of it.
Digestive health
Asparagus is known to help
stabilize digestion due to the high amount of fiber and protein that it
contains. Both help move food through the gut and provide relief from
discomfort during digestion.
Cancer risk
Antioxidants and
anti-inflammatories, which are found
in great quantities in asparagus, are typically associated with decreased risk
of cancers.
Risks of eating asparagus
There is no life threatening
side effects of eating too much asparagus. There may be some uncomfortable side
effects such as gas, and a noticeable smell to the urine.
It is also possible to have an
asparagus allergy, in which case you should not eat it. People who are allergic
to other members of the lily family, such as onions, garlic, and chives, are
more likely to be allergic to asparagus. Symptoms include a runny nose, hives,
trouble breathing, and puffiness or swelling around the mouth and lips.
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