Asparagus helps prevent depression

In many Asian and European countries, asparagus is considered an "emperor's vegetable" because it contains many nutrients and is very beneficial for health. Asparagus - scientific name is Asparagus officinalis.

Asparagus is a perennial, herbaceous plant. The harvested part of asparagus is mainly the bamboo shoots. When grown tall, they turn green, then develop branches, the plant is about 1.5 - 2 m tall. The nutritional composition of asparagus contains high fiber content, in 180g of asparagus there are 3g of fiber.

In addition, asparagus also contains many essential nutrients for the body, such as vitamins B6, A, C, E, K, etc., along with minerals folate, iron, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, copper, and manganese.

Here are the reasons why you should eat asparagus.

Helps lose weight

Not only is asparagus low in fat and calories, it is also high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, making it a smart choice if you are looking to lose weight. The high fiber content in asparagus slows digestion, so you feel full between meals.

Asparagus contains many vitamins, which help strengthen the immune system to fight disease.

Good for the urinary system

Asparagus is high in the amino acid asparagine, which is known as a natural diuretic. Additionally, eating plenty of asparagus can help flush excess fluid and salt from the body, which can help prevent urinary tract infections. “When women don’t urinate enough, they can get urinary tract infections,” says Gans.

Rich in antioxidants

Purple asparagus is particularly rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants that can help the body fight damage from free radicals. When cooking asparagus, cook it until just done, not overcooking it, as overcooking will destroy some of the vegetable's nutritional benefits.

Asparagus helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Rich in vitamin E

Asparagus is also rich in vitamin E, an important antioxidant. This vitamin helps boost the immune system and protect cells from free radical damage. To increase its benefits, grill asparagus with a little olive oil, as vitamin E is better absorbed by the body when eaten with healthy fats like olive oil.

Mood booster

Asparagus is also an aphrodisiac vegetable thanks to its vitamin B6 and folate content, which can help increase feelings of arousal. In addition, vitamin E stimulates sex hormones, including estrogen in women and testosterone in men.

Bowel support

Asparagus contains a carbohydrate called inulin, which is important for the proper functioning of the intestinal tract. Inulin also promotes the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. Asparagus has a laxative effect due to its high fiber content.

The minerals and amino acids in asparagus extract can help ease upset stomach symptoms and protect liver cells from toxins in alcohol.

Beautiful skin

Asparagus contains a lot of 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.

Rich in folic acid

Asparagus contains 22% of the daily requirement of folic acid. Folic acid is essential for women planning to become pregnant because it can help prevent neural tube defects. A study published in the journal PLoS Medicine found that folic acid supplementation reduced the risk of premature birth by 50% when taken for at least a year before conception compared to women who did not take folic acid.

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

Rich in vitamin K

Like other green vegetables, asparagus is rich in vitamin K. This vitamin is important for blood clotting as well as bone health. Most people think of calcium for strong bones, and vitamin K helps the body absorb calcium, says Gans.

Prevent depression

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

According to TNO