Health benefits of asparagus

In many European countries, asparagus is considered a "royal vegetable" because it is rich in nutrients and very beneficial to health.

Asparagus, scientifically known as Asparagus officinalis, is a type of young shoot that grows underground and has a high nutritional content (2.2% protein, 1.2% carbohydrates, 2.3% cellulose, 0.6% ash, and 21mg of calcium).

The flowers are yellow or pale green. Approximately half of the plants bear male flowers, and half bear female flowers. The fruit is a three-chambered berry, red when ripe. Each chamber contains 1–2 black seeds with very hard seed coats. F. Mary Washington is a white asparagus variety that is commonly grown in Vietnam. Green asparagus varieties yield more and are less demanding in terms of soil type, but their commercial value is lower, so they are less commonly cultivated.

The quality of asparagus depends on the diameter of the stem; for the same length of 15-20 cm, a stem diameter of about 2 cm is best.

Control diabetes.A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition indicated that asparagus extract may improve insulin secretion, thereby reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Preventing cancer.Because it is rich in flavonoids – an antioxidant and also has anti-inflammatory properties – asparagus helps prevent colon cancer. Furthermore, a study by the National Cancer Institute of the United States also showed that in addition to flavonoids, asparagus contains a lot of glutathione – another antioxidant that is very effective in preventing and treating many types of cancer.

Good for cardiovascular health.After analyzing the nutritional components of asparagus, scientists have stated that eating asparagus is very good for the cardiovascular system because it is rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure; contains plenty of folate, which promotes heart health; and is abundant in fiber, which can help break down troublesome cholesterol in the blood.

Furthermore, asparagus contains many saponins, which have the ability to bind to cholesterol in the digestive tract. Cholesterol is "held" there, so it no longer has the opportunity to "travel" in the bloodstream.

Liver cleansing:Asparagus is considered a natural diuretic, so it is very effective in cleansing the liver.

Combating depression:Asparagus is rich in folate, a B vitamin that can boost mood and help ward off irritability. Researchers have found a link between low levels of folate and vitamin B12 in people with depression. According to researchers, daily supplementation of these two vitamins in depressed patients helps reduce symptoms. Asparagus also contains high levels of tryptophan, an amino acid that improves mood.

Beneficial for the gut:Asparagus contains a carbohydrate called inulin, which facilitates the proper functioning of the intestinal system. Inulin also promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. In addition, due to its high fiber content, asparagus has a laxative effect.

Boost your immune system:Asparagus is a rich source of fiber and protein – two nutrients that help boost the immune system.

Preventing osteoporosis:Asparagus is a rich source of vitamin K, which helps speed up the blood clotting process and strengthens bones.

Beautiful skin:Asparagus is rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. These are two leading antioxidants that protect the skin from the invasion of free radicals. Vitamin C also helps in the synthesis of collagen. Collagen is a protein that supports the skin and prevents skin aging.

Good for the fetus:Because it contains a lot of folate, asparagus is very beneficial for pregnant women, as folate is an essential vitamin needed for the formation of the fetal neural tube, preventing birth defects.

According to Thanh Nien newspaper