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7 Reasons You Must Eat Asparagus
There’s a reason why asparagus has been cultivated all through human history. It not only tastes fantastic, but it has significant health benefits for your body too. Considering the growing popularity of this vegetable, you can now also buy pickled asparagus from reputed online stores.
Here are seven reasons you must eat asparagus:
Asparagus is loaded with Folic Acid
According to reports, the global asparagus market size was around$2.8 billion in 2021.
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that the body cannot store. So, one must get enough of it in their daily diet. Asparagus contains about 100 micrograms per half-cup serving (or 50 percent of your recommended daily allowance). It happens to be one of the best sources of folic acid. Eating asparagus is a great way to help your body stay strong and resist diseases.
Iron
Asparagus can be an excellent food source for people suffering from iron deficiency. It contains about 1/3rd the amount of Iron found in beef liver. This vegetable contains vitamin C, which enhances the body’s ability to absorb Iron.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble vitamin discovered in 1929 by 2 Danish scientists. It helps promote bone growth, blood clotting, and proper brain function. Asparagus contains 1.7 micrograms of Vitamin K per half-cup serving.
Vitamin C and D
Asparagus contains about 19 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C, making it an excellent immune system booster and reducing the risk of heart diseases. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant and protects you against harmful free radicals and cellular damage.
Most people suffer from Vitamin D deficiency, which causes a significant number of health problems. Asparagus contains about 27 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin D. This boosts the metabolic rate and reduces the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancers, arthritis, depression, obesity, and even the flu.
Potassium
Asparagus contains about 410mg of potassium per half-cup serving. It is excellent for the proper functioning of the cells in your body. It also keeps your heart working properly and lowers blood pressure.
The amino acids found in asparagus boost brain function and help relieve depression, stress, and anxiety (which is why the ancient Greeks ate the stalks of asparagus before battle). They also help protect your brain cells from damage.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 helps for healthy cell growth and healthy metabolism. It’s excellent for pregnant women, too, because it prevents congenital disabilities in babies. Asparagus contains about 1/10th of your daily recommended intake of B6.
Folate
Asparagus contains about 100 micrograms per half-cup serving (or 50 percent of your daily recommended value). It is excellent for the proper growth and repair of new cells in your body. It also helps prevent heart diseases, anemia, congenital disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, and even cancer.
Folate is also essential for pregnant women because it reduces the risk of their babies being born with neural tube defects. It helps with proper brain function and can even reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Final Thoughts
Asparagus is among the easiest vegetables to prepare. You can steam or boil it, marinate it in olive oil and lemon juice to make pickled asparagus, grill it or eat it raw. No matter how you cook them, they are always sure to leave you satisfied.
