Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, asparagus has been used as a medicinal vegetable for 2,500 years. This fresh and colorful side dish is delicious served warm or cold. In fact, just half a cup (90 grams) of cooked asparagus contains (1): Asparagus also possesses small amounts of other micronutrients, including iron, zinc and riboflavin. The Spruce / K. Dave How to Plant Asparagus . Asparagus stalks are commonly consumed as a vegetable. Asparagus is loaded with Vitamin K. Vitamin K isn’t a vitamin that gets a lot of attention, but the fat … Names of Asparagus in various languages of the world are also given. Vitamin K has two main forms: vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. This article examines the differences between the two, as well as their sources and…. A softer texture might not be the only advantage to cooking asparagus. Asparagus is the subject of conflicting studies regarding cancer. Asparagus is known for being one of the most nutritionally balanced vegetables, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate guidelines. Here are 14 of the healthiest vegetables on the…. If you don't wrap it in a blanket of pork, it's low in calories — about 4 calories per spear — and it's a source of fiber and potassium. Treats anti-aging: The use of this ayurvedic medicinal herb is quite effective in treating anti-aging. Asparagus, scientifically known as Asparagus officinalis, belongs to the family of lilies and is valued for its therapeutic properties. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. savory vegetable contains a stimulating blend of nutrients that help boost energy, cleanse the urinary tract and neutralize excess ammonia, which can cause fatigue and sexual disinterest. (1) It’s free of fat, sodium, and c … Try it in Emeril Lagasse’s, Wrap asparagus in almost anything. There are four fat-soluble vitamins in the human diet: A, D, E and K. This guide examines their health benefits, functions and main dietary sources. Just remember to peel the stalks before you cook them. Researchers believed this effect was due to an active compound in asparagus that causes blood vessels to dilate. Asparagus is low in calories but boasts an impressive nutrient profile. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): If you’ve the problem of urinary tract infection, it can be reduced to a … This basic Roasted Asparagus with Orange Glaze recipe from Tiffani Thiessen is a good place to start your asparagus adventures. Folate is an essential nutrient that helps form red blood cells and produce DNA for healthy growth and development. Studies show that fiber has various health benefits, including weight loss and improved digestive…. When shopping for fresh asparagus, look for firm stems and tight, closed tips. The roots are useful in nervous disorders, dyspepsia, tumors, scalding of urine, throat infections, tuberculosis, cough bronchitis and general debility. Asparagus is also low in calories and packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Top the soil in your asparagus bed with 3–4 inches of … Read about the 3-step plan, along with other science-backed weight loss tips, here. All rights reserved. Read about how Splendid Spoon and Daily Harvest compare and which is the better meal delivery service according to our experts. Just half a cup of asparagus contains 1.8 grams of fiber, which is 7% of your daily needs. What’s more, purple asparagus contains powerful pigments called anthocyanins, which give the vegetable its vibrant color and have antioxidant effects in the body (14). Asparagus can be used in a number of dishes like salads, stir-fries, frittatas, omelets and pastas, and it makes an excellent side dish. These substances have been found to have blood pressure-lowering, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anticancer effects in a number of human, test-tube and animal studies (10, 11, 12, 13). 3. Asparagus is a nutritious and tasty addition to any diet. Excellent source of vitamins A, C, K, and folate. Getting enough folate from sources like asparagus, green leafy vegetables and fruit can protect against neural tube defects, including spina bifida (25, 26). It’s low in calories and a great source of nutrients, including fiber, folate and vitamins A, C and K. Additionally, eating asparagus has a number of potential health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, healthy pregnancy outcomes and lower blood pressure. Prevent Tuberculosis. In ancient times, it was also known in Syria and in Spain. Asparagus and Smoked Salmon Bundles; Giada De Laurentiis. Neural tube defects can lead to a range of complications, ranging from learning difficulties to lack of bowel and bladder control to physical disabilities (27, 28). It’s an excellent source of vitamin K, an essential nutrient involved in blood clotting and bone health (2). This simple 3-step plan can help you lose weight fast. Asparagus, like other green vegetables, is high in antioxidants. Then pour the puree through a mesh strainer with a big bowl or pot underneath to catch the stock. Furthermore, it’s about 94% water. Another health benefit of asparagus is that it is quite beneficial for our brain. Asparagus is a good source of potassium, providing 6% of your daily requirement in a half-cup serving. Mother’s Day Gift Guide — 5 Ways to Win Mom Over, Pineapple Quesitos: A Spring Breakfast (or Dessert) Treat, Crowd-Peasing Recipes Using 3 Varieties of Spring Peas, Quick Onion Tarts for Spring Entertaining, Dinner Rush! Folic Acid vs. Folate — What’s the Difference? Digestive Health Benefits. Since you won't be harvesting for three years, asparagus requires some patience and preparation. Asparagus, officially known as Asparagus officinalis, is a member of the lily family. Because you strain the vegetables used to make the stock, the fibrous nature of the asparagus ends has no effect on the texture. The most common types are … Helpful in Night-blindness- Cook the leaves of Asparagus with ghee. High protein, representing 25% of the calories. Drinking enough water is important, but that's not the only thing you can do to stay hydrated. Asparagus also contains glutathione, a powerful anticarcinogen and antioxidant. Splendid Spoon vs. Daily Harvest: Which Is Better. You can also purchase canned asparagus, which is precooked and ready to eat. Fiber is indigestible material found in foods. Decreases the Birth Risks and the Chances of Birth Defects. In order to kill weeds in asparagus beds, apply salt or a weed killer in spring or fall, when asparagus is dormant. Good For Brain. Asparagus has been used as a vegetable owing to its distinct flavor, and in medicine due to its diuretic properties and its purported function as an aphrodisiac. Here are 19 water-rich foods that are super hydrating. Antioxidants help defend your cells from damage. In fact, adequate folate is so vital during pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy that folate supplements are recommended to ensure women meet their requirements. This means that it can help protect our cells from the type of damage that can lead to cancer. Use foods from your fridge and pantry to turn puff pastry into these easy appetizers -- small, savory tarts -- with this recipe from Cooking Channel. Use an Immersion Blender to puree the asparagus ends as much as you possibly can. Asparagus is an excellent source of folate, also known as vitamin B9. However, human studies are needed to determine whether this active compound has the same effect in humans. Antioxidants are compounds that help protect your cells from the harmful effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. Asparagus can be used in a number of dishes like salads, stir-fries, frittatas, omelets and pastas, and it makes an excellent side dish. If you are pregnant, get yourself into a … Increasing the number of these beneficial bacteria plays a role in strengthening the immune system and producing essential nutrients like vitamins B12 and K2 (22, 23, 24). In addition, asparagus is high in folate, a nutrient that is vital for a healthy pregnancy and many important processes in the body, including cell growth and DNA formation (3). Some studies show that asparagus may aid in the survival of certain cancer cells and increase cancer growth. Asparagus is also a good source of antioxidants like Vitamin A and Vitamin E. These antioxidants help the body fight off “ free radicals,” or oxygen particles that cells produce as … Asparagus is one of the most versatile vegetables, because you can eat it shaved raw in salads, chopped and cooked in brunch or pasta dishes or even roasted on its own (sometimes with a little bacon). But it can has so many benefits, like helping you beat bloat and lose weight, thanks to its diuretic properties and high fiber content. I get lots of compliments on the homemade dressing. Asparagus is particularly high in insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to stool and supports regular bowel movements. Rhizome is a soothing tonic that acts mainly on the circulatory, digestive, respiratory and female reproductive organs. In addition to being nutritious, asparagus is delicious and easy to incorporate into your diet. This popular vegetable comes in a variety of colors, including green, white and purple. Shatavari is the most important herb in Ayurvedic medicine for dealing with problems connected women’s fertility. It has … Oxidative stress contributes to aging, chronic inflammation and many diseases, including cancer (4, 5). Use stocks as a base to make soups and sauces or as a replacement for the water used for cooking rice or other grains. In this article, we will use the term asparagus extract to mean any extract made from the Asparagus racemosus or the Asparagus officinalis L plant. After 10 weeks, the rats on the asparagus diet had 17% lower blood pressure than the rats on the standard diet (33). This article uncovers 7 health benefits of asparagus, all supported by science. These 12 foods are high in antioxidants and can help keep your cells healthy. Dive into refreshing drinks like mojitos, margaritas and more. Furthermore, it’s extremely affordable and widely available at most grocery stores. In one study, rats were fed either a diet with 5% asparagus or a standard diet without asparagus. It has been cultivated for over 2000 years as a medicinal herb. It’s used in dishes around the world, including frittatas, pastas and stir-fries. Research suggests that increasing potassium intake while reducing salt intake is an effective way to lower high blood pressure (30, 31). Some have used asparagus leaf extract while others have used extracts made with other parts of the plant including its root and stems. Just half a cup of asparagus provides adults with 34% of their daily folate needs and pregnant women with 22% of their daily needs (1). First, it’s very low in calories, with only 20 calories in half a cup. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. High blood pressure affects more than 1.3 billion people worldwide and is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke (29). It cures … In any case, eating more potassium-rich vegetables, such as asparagus, is a great way to help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. What are the benefits of eating asparagus? Get easy, under-15-minute side dish recipes for salads, fried rice, pickled cucumbers and more simple ideas on Cooking Channel. Dietary fiber is essential for good digestive health. This means you can eat a lot of asparagus without taking in a lot of calories. In addition to helping prevent cancer, free radicals can also help to prevent a range of other diseases. Get easy Spring peas recipes and ideas for appetizers, side dishes and entrees using English peas, snap peas and snow peas on Cooking Channel. Greek Meatballs with Lemon-Dill Tzatziki, Beat the Clock with Easy, Under-15-Minute Side Dishes, The EggBot Pro is a Robot That Exquisitely Paints Eggs, Spaghetti With Asparagus, Smoked Mozzarella and Prosciutto, Fried Soft Shell Crab, White Asparagus and Wild Sorrel With a Grilled Ramp Dressing, Creamy Farfalle With Cremini, Asparagus and Walnuts, Aida Mollenkamp's Asparagus and Jack Cheese Frittata, Penne with Fresh Tomato Sauce, Asparagus and Grilled Chicken, Asparagus and Cheese Popover with Spicy Herb Oil, Grilled Flatbread With Asparagus Pesto and Fontina, Spinach-Ricotta Pesto Pasta with Crisp Prosciutto and Asparagus, Get more spring fruit and vegetable recipes, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with Garlic and Parsley, Roasted Asparagus with Spicy Thousand Island Dressing, Modern Asparagus Spring Rolls - Red Chili, Black Sesame, Almond, 6 Ways to Bundle Up Asparagus This Spring, Heavenly Sauteed String Beans with Garlic, Roasted Baby Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic, White asparagus is grown under soil to prevent photosynthesis from turning the stalks green. So make use of your local green market's plentiful asparagus stock with these 25 fantastic uses of asparagus. 4. Asparagus also needs space, about 4 to 5 feet for each plant. To prevent new weeds from sprouting, use a pre-emergent herbicide, such as Preen or Corn Gluten Meal in spring. It helps with nervousness, pain, restless sleep, disturbing dreams and people with weak emotional and physical heart. Asparagus contains significant quantities of the nutrient inulin. They can also help to keep us looking younger, for longer. More asparagus recipes from our friends: Creative Culinary: Bacon Wrapped Asparagus with Garlic and Parsley, Feed Me Phoebe: Spring Quinoa Mujadara with Asparagus, In Jennie's Kitchen: Asparagus & Arugula Panzanella, Healthy Eats: 5 Fresher Ways to Prepare Asparagus, Napa Farmhouse 1885: Asparagus, Onion & Pesto Pizza, Red or Green: Roasted Asparagus with Spicy Thousand Island Dressing, Taste with the Eyes: Modern Asparagus Spring Rolls - Red Chili, Black Sesame, Almond, FN Dish: 6 Ways to Bundle Up Asparagus This Spring. Potassium helps regulate critical body functions, and a potassium-rich diet is linked to health benefits. It can be cooked in a variety of ways, including boiling, grilling, steaming, roasting and sautéing. 19 Water-Rich Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated, Why Is Fiber Good for You? All rights reserved. Asparagus is one of those vegetables that is high on top of the list for its glutathione content. Caused by infectious bacteria that target the lungs, tuberculosis gives births … Currently, no studies have tested the effects of asparagus on weight loss. However, it has a number of properties that could potentially help you lose weight. However, they do not have the same effects on your health. Asparagus is a good source of antioxidants. Asparagus is known for making pee smell funny. The Medicinal Uses of Asparagus Root In terms of asparagus root’s medicinal uses, Shatavari is used most notably as a galactagogue, which is a food used to increase breast milk production, and studies have shown it to increase the hormone needed for … Simple ideas for making asparagus in a pan, in the oven, or on the grill, including recipes for asparagus soup, salad, and pasta. Eating asparagus as part of a fiber-rich diet is an excellent way to help meet your fiber needs and keep your digestive system healthy. Asparagus is used as an anodyne, aphrodisiac and galactogogue. Asparagus boasts a rich supply of chemical compounds known as polyphenols, … Rachael Ray wraps it in, Everyone's invited to brunch at your place with, Have a light meal from Rev Run's Sunday Supper with, Replace calorie-heavy Chinese takeout with this lighter, Or make a show-stopping pancake: Bobby Flay's, Turn your asparagus into a pesto, then pull a Bobby Flay and throw it all on the grill with, Everything tastes better with cheese, including Roger's Indian-inspired, Break out the grill on your next Meatless Monday. that provides a number of health benefits. Folic acid and folate are two forms of vitamin B9.