5 Health Benefits of Asparagus You Wish You’d Known Already

Asparagus are versatile vegetables. They pair well with steak dinners, pasta, eggs, stir-fries, and other classic recipes. Their versatility also extends to their health benefits. Asparagus contains a wide range of nutrients that can positively impact the body. They include fiber, folate, vitamin C, iron, chromium, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, potassium, and more. With that in mind, here are the potential benefits of eating asparagus.

Improve digestion

Asparagus contains two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber feeds healthy gut bacteria and insoluble fiber helps move stool through the digestive tract. This can help people have regular bowel movements while maintaining a good gut microbiome.

Read More: 6 Health Benefits of Sleeping In a Cold Room and How to Make it Cooler- And Why You May Not Want to Use a Fan

Lower blood pressure

This vegetable has potassium, which is a nutrient that contributes to lower blood pressure. This is because potassium eliminates excess sodium, a compound that can lead to high blood pressure, which is a common risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Potassium also contributes to heart health by lowering tension in the walls of the blood vessels.

Support bone health

As aforementioned, asparagus contains a plethora of nutrients, including ones that contribute to bone health like vitamin K, iron, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. Vitamin K in particular has been shown to help produce healthy bone tissue and prevent fractures and osteoprosis. Additionally, vitamin K helps the body absorb calcium, which is another key nutrient for bone health. 

Read More: 13 Health Benefits of Cherries (Sleep, Heart Health, and More)

Combat free radicals

Asparagus contains antioxidants, a collection of substances that fight free radicals. These are molecules in the body that are safe in small amounts. However, in larger amounts, they can cause cell damage. This can lead to a range of health issues from aging skin to harmful inflammation to even cancer. 

Support healthy pregnancies

Prenatal vitamins often contain a range of nutrients but one core ingredient is folate, a type of B vitamin naturally found in asparagus. Folate is vital for the development of the fetus. It helps reduce the risk of defects in the brain, spine, or spinal cord. Therefore, it can help prevent spina bifida and similar diseases. 

Asparagus shouldn’t replace prenatal vitamins but they can help bolster the expecting parent’s folate intake. Plus, people who aren’t pregnant need this nutrient for the development of their own DNA and to prevent a type of anemia. 

How to eat more asparagus

Roasted asparagus can go a long way. Just add some olive oil, salt, and pepper, roast until tender, and serve as a side dish. You can also enjoy it as an addition to stir-fries, pasta, salads, risotto, quiches, and other foods complemented by roast vegetables. You can also blend it into a soup alongside potatoes, leeks, and onions.

Keep in mind, that asparagus is rich in vitamin K, which can interact with warfarin, a kind of blood thinner. Speak to your doctor about how much asparagus you should consume if you are on this medication, and ask about other natural foods you may have to limit.

Read More: 12 Health Benefits Of Ginger – Nausea, Pain, Inflammation, Heart Burn, And More