6 Amazing Health Benefits of Asparagus - Reasons Why You Should Incorporate Asparagus Into Your Daily Greens

Introduction

If you are looking for a healthy treat you want to incorporate in your daily greens, then try asparagus. Its tasty spears are filled with several nutrients that are absolutely recommended for building an overall health.

Browsing through different websites, you will notice asparagus on top of the plates. This is because for every 100-gram serving of asparagus, there is only 20 calories. It produces a good source of fiber at 2.1g or 5.5% of the daily-recommended value. The fiber contained in asparagus eases or improve digestion. Asparagus makes a perfect pair with grilled chicken or steamed fish.

Asparagus has zero fat and is very low in sodium. This vegetable is notable for its antioxidant benefits to the body. Antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E are abundant in asparagus. They fight oxygen-free radicals that damage the cells in body leading to certain diseases. Vitamin A in particular along with phytonutrients like beta-carotene and lutein zeaxanthin is responsible for promoting healthy vision.

Vitamin C is vital in building body resistance to prevent infectious agents getting into the body. On the other hand, vitamin E ensures proper functioning of the organs in the body.

It is also filled with 35% of the DRV of vitamin K, which plays a significant role in bone health and blood clot. Aside from said vitamin, asparagus has good supply of B-vitamins, which help turn macronutrients like carbohydrates and protein into sugar.

Asparagus is rich in certain minerals such as copper, iron, phosphorus and selenium. Copper is needed by the body particularly in iron absorption. Iron, meanwhile, makes up the hemoglobin found in red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.

Aside its role in maintenance of teeth and bone healthy, phosphorus found in asparagus help maintain acid- base balance in the body. Selenium is an important element in producing antioxidant enzymes, which is required by the body to prevent cells from being damaged.

Other minerals found in asparagus include potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. All these minerals have their own contributions to human health.

As mentioned above, asparagus is rich in antioxidants. Among them is the glutathione, which protects the skin from possible damage. And because glutathione effectively targets carcinogens, consumption of asparagus prevents cancer.

Asparagus is highly recommended for pregnant women because of its folate contents that is essential for the health of both mother and child.

The Amazing Health Benefits of Asparagus

Prevents Type 2 Diabetes

It has been proved by years of research that increased intake of asparagus helps in regulating body’s blood sugar levels. This fact is supported by the richness of asparagus in B-vitamins and folic acid that are very important in glucose metabolism. These properties support regulation of normally low sugar levels in the blood to stop trigger diabetes. Those important minerals assure that the bloodstream is maintaining just the right levels of sugar through making the glucose metabolism normal and efficient.

Reduces Risks of Cancer

Asparagus has a very effective and powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory composition that helps in significantly reducing risks of various types of cancer. Cancer is triggered primarily by inflammation and chronic oxidative stress that can be prevented basically by diet enriched with anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties. Out of all types of cancer, studies concluded that regular consumption of asparagus helps in preventing and even treating liver cancer and leukemia out of all other cancer types. The liver is prevented from cancer cell growth and development through inhibiting the cancer cell metabolism and strengthening the repairing ability of the cells. With regards to leukemia, asparagus contain amino acids that infuse bone marrows and white blood cells with nutrients for them to be produced as well as to function accordingly. Leukemia is developed through lack and irregularity of white blood cells. The amino acids that asparagus contain, specifically asparagine, is proven to be very beneficial to the blood vessels and white blood cells. Asparagine also eliminates developed leukemia cells. If you want to eliminate risks of cancer specifically leukemia and in the liver, asparagus intake is of great help.

Supports Heart Health

The fact that asparagus intake has the ability to prevent and treat diabetes, it is also given that it can help in stabilizing heart functioning. As mentioned above, asparagus has Vitamin B1, B2 and folic acid that also help in homocysteine regulation. Homocysteine is a healthy type of amino acid that when excessive can increase heart failure and dysfunction risks. On top of that, asparagus is also a great source of fiber that also aids heart health. Last but not the least asparagus contains unique anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that trigger chronic heart diseases. Studies and research consistently resulted that asparagus has positive heart condition effects. If you want to protect your heart from various types of ailments, make sure to eat a lot of asparagus.

Aids the Digestive System

The digestive system plays an important role in the entirety of our health. Some of the most important aspects in the digestive process are the proper breakdown of food intake when nutrient is absorbed by the body and the movement of food intake in the digestive tract to the intestine for regular bowel movements. Asparagus has inulin that is a strong prebiotic that kills bacteria that stand in the way in normal and proper digestive movement. Inulin will make nutrient absorption more efficient, will prevent bacterial stomach disorders, as well as reduce risks of colon irregularities. Aside from inulin, asparagus also has fiber and protein that are popular in promoting proper digestion. These minerals all work together for the ideal digestive movement. Proper digestion also promotes weight loss.

Defies Effects of Ageing

Ageing is inevitable. The only way to defy effects of ageing is to know the right type of diet that is effective in doing so. Fortunately, asparagus contain vitamins and minerals that effectively slow down ageing and their horrible effects not only in the physical aspect but also on the mental health. Asparagus is infused with Vitamin B12 and folate that heightens cognitive and motor skills. This will prevent decline of mental health through the years. These vitamins boost alertness and intellect. If you want to be physically and mentally able even as you grow old, eating asparagus as regularly as possible will be of great benefit. In addition, asparagus is a great source of antioxidant specifically glutathione and vitamin C that help maintain healthy and beautiful skin. Asparagus consumption will keep skin tissues and skin cells healthy and able to self-repair. Asparagus also protect the skin from external cause of skin damages like pollution and sun’s UV.

Good for Pregnant Women

Folate is a vital nutrient that every pregnant woman needs to give birth to a healthy child. It is important to eat foods that contain folate on a daily basis during pregnancy. Lack of folate intake can cause serious damages especially on the child. Insufficient folate levels during pregnancy can lead to development of neural-tube defects in fetuses. If you are pregnant and wants to give birth to a healthy baby, ascertain you always eat asparagus.