Asparagus, or garden asparagus, folk name sparrow grass, scientific name asparagus officinalis, is a perennial flowering plant species in the genus Asparagus. Its young shoots are used as a spring vegetable. Asparagus is a good source of an array of nutrients, including: Vitamin A, C, E and K, fiber, folate. Below are some benefits of Asparagus.
-Chronic disease prevention (packed with antioxidants that can help keep free radicals in check and ward off some chronic diseases. The vegetable also contains beta carotene that the body converts into vitamin A which is important to maintain good vision).
-Better overall digestive tract function (in addition to fiber, Asparagus contains prebiotic compounds, like inulin, non-digestible, naturally occurring substances in food and these help the growth of good bacteria to flourish in the gut).
-Positive diuretic effects (Asparagus contains compounds that can increase the excretion of water from the body, promote the production of urine and help manage bloating).
-Improve pregnancy health (great source of folate, a B vitamin that is essential during pregnancy since it helps promote and maintain cellular growth).
-Improve blood clotting (the vitamin K is a dependent protein vital to the blood clotting process and strong bones).
-Better blood glucose control (the fiber in Asparagus is beneficial for managing prediabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes).
-Better blood pressure (the potassium may help counteract the effects of sodium in your diet to promote healthy blood pressure).
-Improves heart health.
-Relieves hangovers (Asparagus extract essential amino acids that may prove effective in curing hangovers).
Side effects of Asparagus:
Allergic reactions – Asparagus can cause allergies to some people.
Gas – Asparagus contains a carbohydrate known as raffinose and in order to digest this complex sugar, the human body needs to ferment it. During this process of breaking down the carbohydrate, gas is often produced and released from the body.
Kidney stones – Asparagus contains purines that break down to create uric acid which can accumulate as a result of high purine content in the body.