Asparagus is a highly nutrient-dense food, it is one of the richest sources of folate and it also contains a very rich amount of vital nutrients like potassium, vitamin B6, fiber, vitamin C, and A.
This funny-looking vegetable is in the list of top fruits and vegetables that fight the effects of free radicals and prevent cell damage. It is a storehouse of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds.
For more than 2,500 years, asparagus has been used as medicine to treat a lot of ailments, it has a long list of medicinal and nutritional benefits and we will be taking a look at some of them in this post.
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One unique thing about the nutritional profile of asparagus is that it contains no fat at all and it is very low in calories. 5 spears of asparagus contain 20 calories only.
Asparagus belong to the lily family and there are over 300 hundred species of this vegetable all over the world. There are three common colors of asparagus, they are green, purple, and white and all parts of the plant are used as medicine, from the root to the shoot.
Many traditional healing systems like Unani, Ayurveda, and Siddha all use different parts of asparagus for certain illnesses and diseases. It is used in preparing lots of dishes around the world.
Below are 10 amazing health benefits of asparagus.
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10 Health Benefits of Asparagus
1. Promotes a Healthy Pregnancy
Scientists now know that the nutrients in asparagus promote a healthy pregnancy and reduce the risks of complications and birth defects. This is so because asparagus is so rich in folate.
Folate is an important nutrient needed by all women of child-bearing age because it decreases the risks of neural tube defects in fetuses. Women who want to conceive should increase their intake of asparagus.
Folate helps your body breakdown, create, and use new proteins; it also helps in the formation of red blood cells, it helps the body produce DNA which is the building block of the body and carries your genetic information.
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2. Treats Neurodegenerative Diseases
Asparagus has the ability to treat and relieve the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s because it contains a rich content of phytoestrogens.
These compounds have powerful neuroprotective effects, they prevent damages to the neurons of your brain. Neurodegenerative diseases happen when the neurons in your brain are damaged and your body has no way of replacing damaged neurons.
3. Maintains the Levels of Homocysteine
Homocysteine is a substance produced in the body, it is gotten from the breakdown of the amino acid methionine. High levels of homocysteine in the body damage your blood vessels and raise your risks of heart disease and other chronic diseases.
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Asparagus contain a very rich level of B vitamins which help control the levels of homocysteine in the body. These vitamins convert homocysteine into cysteine which is reconverted back into methionine by the body.
When a person is deficient in B vitamins, the levels of homocysteine in the body will rise and this will damage your blood vessels. It leads to venous thrombosis, a condition characterized by blood clots in the veins, it also causes cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis.
Regular intake of asparagus will supply your body with sufficient levels of B vitamins.
4. Boosts Eye Health
Asparagus is very rich in vitamin A, this nutrient protects your eyes and promotes healthy vision. It also contains antioxidants that protect your eyes, especially your retina from damages caused by free radicals.
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Asparagus is also rich in glutathione, this powerful antioxidant reduces the risks of night blindness, macular degeneration, cataract, and other eye diseases.
5. Effective Natural Diuretic
The unique chemical composition of asparagus makes it an effective natural diuretic, it aids the production of urine, thereby expelling excess water from the body.
It also rids the body of excess salt. Asparagus is used along with plenty of fluids to increase the production and output of urine, this is known as “irrigation therapy”.
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This is a great remedy for people who are suffering from edema, a condition whereby fluids are retained in the body. It is also beneficial for people suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Asparagus keeps your kidneys healthy and it is used in treating urinary tract infection and other diseases of the urinary tract that cause swelling, inflammation, and pain.
6. Cures Hangovers
The essential amino acids present in asparagus cure hangovers and relieve its symptoms. Hangover is caused by an excessive intake of alcohol and the symptoms are fatigue, dizziness, anxiety, dehydration, vomiting, nausea, and other stomach disorders.
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The leaves and shoots of asparagus are used in treating hangovers because they have a rich content of inorganic minerals which protects your liver from the toxins present in alcohol.
7. Improves Fertility
Asparagus root is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat infertility and sexual dysfunction. It has a strong aphrodisiac property that helps regulate reproductive hormones and cure sexual disorders in both males and females.
Asparagus has an anti-anxiety property that helps in curing the mental and physical debility in males that trigger sexual impotence. It boosts sperm count and motility and enhances libido.
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Asparagus relieves the symptoms of menopause in women, it prevents anemia caused by heavy menstruation and it also improves the production of breast milk in lactating mothers and it boosts their appetite also.
This herb fights PMS and relieves it symptoms like bloating, depression, hormonal imbalance, heavy blood flow, and menstrual cramps.
8. Fights Cancers and Tumors
One unique thing about asparagus is that it is very rich in glutathione, the most powerful antioxidant known to man. This compound has a strong defying power that destroys cancer and tumor cells in the body.
Glutathione is so important in your body that your lifespan depends on the quantity of glutathione in your cells. It has a very important role in the functions of your immune system thereby fighting against all kinds of cancer.
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9. Cures Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder that causes recurrent seizures also known as convulsions. This happens when the brain transmits abnormal signals and this is triggered by irreversible changes in the tissues of the brain.
The root of asparagus is used in treating this condition and it is one of the most effective natural remedies for epilepsy.
10. Rich Source of Rutin
Rutin is a flavonoid with powerful anti-inflammatory properties, it prevents blood clots and it also treats hemorrhoids. It increases the permeability of your capillaries and strengthens your blood vessels thereby preventing them from becoming fragile.
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Rutin also reduces the viscosity of your blood and this prevents the hardening of your blood vessels, it also prevents hypertension and the complications it brings.
Asparagus rich content of rutin helps maintain a healthy heart and proper levels of cholesterol.
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