Health Benefits of Asparagus
The health benefits of asparagus include good cardiovascular health, healthy pregnancy, improved fertility, relief from the pre-menstrual syndrome, and improved bone health. It helps to treat cancer, diabetes, hangover, cataract, rheumatism, tuberculosis, depression, neurodegenerative diseases, and convulsions. It reduces urinary tract infections and blood cholesterol. It is also good for digestive health.
What is Asparagus?
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Asparagus, scientifically known as Asparagus Officinalis, belongs to the family of lilies and is valued for its therapeutic properties. It is derived from a Greek word meaning ‘sprout’ and about 300 different species of this sprout exist all over the world.
It is available in white, green, and purple colors. White asparagus is grown away from the sunlight and hence, is deficient of the green pigment, chlorophyll. The purple one is loaded with phytochemicals and anthocyanins which provide a unique color to the vegetable.
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The medicinal effect of this plant extends from its root to shoot and its usage has been tested and proven in scientific as well as indigenous systems of medicine like Siddha, Ayurveda, and Unani.
Asparagus Nutrition Facts
Asparagus is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and essential proteins. It is rich in vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and vitamin K (phylloquinone).
The mineral treasures that are stored in it include iron, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, zinc, selenium, and potassium.
Asparagus contains a very low amount of calories with no cholesterol and is low in sodium as well. Along with this, it is also a rich source of dietary fiber, which is essential for the body.
Health Benefits of Asparagus
Let us look at the various health benefits of asparagus in detail below.
Improves Fertility
The root of asparagus racemosus is widely appreciated in Ayurvedic therapy and is famously known as Shatavari, which means ‘one who has 100 husbands’. Shatavari has aphrodisiac properties and is used to regulate the hormones and cure male and female sexual disorders. It has anti-anxiety properties and helps in curing physical and mental debility in males. It also helps in enhancing the libido and boosts sperm count and its motility. In females, asparagus has been proven to be effective in menopausal syndrome and anemia. Shatavari has been trusted as a galactagogue and is also valued for its effectiveness in improving the quality and quantity of the breast milk while boosting the appetite of nursing women. Research studies conducted on animals have demonstrated positive effects on the genitals and the mammary glands of the female subjects who consumed adequate amounts of asparagus.
Controls Diabetes
The anti-inflammatory nutrients present in asparagus help in reducing the risk of chronic health ailments, including type 2 diabetes. This beneficial effect is also attributed to the presence of the mineral chromium, which plays a vital role in regulating the blood sugar levels of the body. Studies conducted in this regard have shown significant results and have proven that it helps in keeping a check on blood sugar levels, improves insulin secretion, and provides an anti-diabetic effect.
Treats Tuberculosis
Asparagus racemosus is also known for its effectiveness in curing bronchitis and tuberculosis. It improves the functioning of lung tissues and helps in treating throat infections as well.
Maintains Blood Cholesterol Level
Studies have supported the fact that the wealth of anti-oxidants in asparagus have the potential to treat oxidative stress, along with other disorders such as hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. These diseases indicate the presence of high fat and cholesterol content in the body, which can further pose a major threat for fatal conditions like cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis.
Relieves Depression
Scientific research has shown the efficacy of asparagus racemosus as an anti-anxiety and anti-depressant drug. It helps in enhancing the memory, increases the production, and secretion of estrogen, and has a revitalizing and calming effect on the nervous system.
Eye Care
Asparagus is a good source of vitamin A, which is essential for healthy vision. Due to the presence of antioxidants, it helps in defending the retina from the damage caused by the oxygen-free radicals. The presence of the amino acid glutathione in it also helps in reducing the risk of eye ailments such as cataracts and night blindness.
Fights Tumor
Asparagus racemosus, or wild asparagus, contains a certain variety of phytonutrients known as saponins. Studies have demonstrated that the saponins obtained from it possess anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Along with the chemo-preventive efficiency, it also helps in elevating the levels of glutathione, an antioxidant and detoxifying compound. It also helps in the prevention of many diseases like HIV, AIDS, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer’s disease, anemia, cancer, diabetes, and various cardiac disorders.
Helps in Pregnancy ( Health Benefits of Asparagus )
The high folate content in asparagus aids in reducing the danger of low birth weight and birth defects during pregnancy. Folate is essential for the growth of the fetus. It also helps in reducing the complication of edema or retention of water in the body tissues owing to its diuretic effect.
Maintains Homocysteine Level
Asparagus is rich in B vitamins that help in maintaining healthy levels of homocysteine, which is produced in the blood when an amino acid (methionine) breaks down in the body. Vitamin B, especially folate, B6, and B12 play a key role in converting homocysteine into cysteine, which then gets converted back to methionine as per the normal methylation cycle.
A deficiency of vitamin B in the body can elevate the levels of homocysteine and increase the risk of damage to blood vessels, venous thrombosis in which clotting of blood happens in the veins, atherosclerosis, and other cardiac disorders. In addition to this, vitamin B helps in maintaining healthy levels of blood sugar by ensuring proper metabolism of starches and sugars in the body.
Fights PMS
An asparagus extract can be used effectively for easing pre-menstrual bloating. The presence of essential nutrients helps to combat depression and fatigue, as well as reduce menstrual cramps. It also helps in controlling blood loss and maintaining hormonal balance during menstruation.
Cures Hangovers
Asparagus extract contains essential amino acids that may prove effective in curing hangovers. A hangover refers to the unpleasant physiological effect caused due to the substantial consumption of alcoholic drinks. Its symptoms include anxiety, fatigue, and stomach disorders like nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. Research studies have demonstrated that the leaves and shoots of asparagus contain a good amount of inorganic mineral content, which also aids in the protection of the liver cells from the toxic effects of alcohol.
Rich in Rutin
Asparagus is also a rich source of rutin, a flavonoid that possesses anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat hemorrhoids and prevent clotting of blood. It enhances the permeability of capillaries, strengthens the blood vessels, and protects them from becoming fragile. Rutin also prevents the hardening of arteries by reducing the viscosity of blood and helps in easing hypertension, reducing cholesterol, and maintaining cardiovascular health.
