Health Benefits of Asparagus

Asparagus, a member of the Lily family (Liliaceae) that includes leeks, garlic and onions, comes from the Greek word meaning 'shoot' or 'sprout'. About 2000 years ago, in the eastern Mediterranean, it was known for its unique texture and medicinal and aphrodisiacal properties. This vegetable is abundant in vitamin K and folate. Although more than 300 varieties are known, only 20 are edible.

Asparagus is a leafless, fleshy, speared, tender perennial food that is topped with bud-like compact heads. They arrive with the spring and their growing season extends through July. The asparagus that we buy from the market is actually the shoot from an underground crown. These crowns which are planted in sandy soil, take up to 3 years to grow, but once they do, they keep on producing the shoots for over 20 years. The most amazing fact is that they can grow up to 10 inches in a single day. Besides the green asparagus that is generally available in the market, there are two other types- white asparagus, which is delicate and difficult to harvest, and purple asparagus, which is fruitier and smaller in size.

Health Benefits

Heart Health

Asparagus contains folate, which is essential for a healthy cardiovascular system. Drinking a little amount of its juice mixed with raw honey, three times a day, helps to strengthen a weak heart.

Natural Diuretic

While it is a good source of potassium, it's low in sodium. Its minerals combined with asparagine, an active amino acid, makes it an effective diuretic medicine. It is therefore very useful in relieving premenstrual swelling and bloating. It also helps in relieving irritability, fatigue and depression.

Food for Healthy Gut Flora

The vegetable is rich in minerals. It also contains a carbohydrate called inulin that we cannot digest. But, some health promoting bacteria in large intestine, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, feed on it. Hence, intake of inulin (asparagus) increases the number of these good bacteria in the large intestine, which prevents the growth of harmful bacteria.

Birth Defect Fighter

Folate, again, is the key nutrient here. Without a healthy intake of folate, the nervous system cells of a fetus do not divide properly. Hence, it's intake helps to reduce birth defects like spina bifida and decreases the chances of low birth weight in a newborn.

Other Health Benefits

• Asparagus juice is high in alkaline property and hence helps reduce acidity of the blood, by cleaning muscle tissues and also helps in dissolving kidney stones
• Contains a phytochemical that produces anti-inflammatory effect, helping in arthritis and rheumatism
• Its regular consumption improves the bowel movement, as its rich in fiber
• It is a good anti-oxidant and can help in preventing cancer, cataract and other eye problems
• Helps in controlling blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for diabetic people
• Increases the success rate of chemotherapy
• Good body detoxifying agent. Helps to prevent Urinary Tract Infections
• Good for nursing mothers, helping in stimulating milk production

It also helps in treating HIV and multiple sclerosis and prevents scurvy and lung cancer. The health benefits are numerous. The good thing is that it can be prepared in infinite number of ways.

If you're doing everything - medicines, exercises, etc, to prevent any kind of disease, but not having asparagus in your diet, then you are missing out an important mix of nutrients. Include this vegetable in your diet today and stay healthy forever!