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Health Benefits of Asparagus

The health benefits of asparagus are numerous as it's a powerhouse of nutrients.
A member of the lily family, asparagus is believed to have originated in the eastern Mediterranean region about two thousand years ago, where it was popular not only for its taste and texture but also for its aprhrodisiacal and medicinal properties.

Asparagus derives its name from the Greek word for "shoot" or "sprout", an appropriate name any way you look at it - it can shoot up to ten inches in just twenty-four hours under ideal growing conditions. In Sanskrit, asparagus is known as "shatavari" which means "she who has hundred husbands", implying its ability to promote fertility and vitality.

The most common types of asparagus are green, but you can also find white and purple ones in supermarkets.

Asparagus and Health

Asparagus is rich in folic acid (folate), a 5-ounce/1 cup serving providing 60 percent of the daily recommended intake of folic acid for an adult. Folic acid is among the vital nutrients necessary for preventing birth defects and is often prescribed during pregnancy to women deficient in folate.

Folate is also necessary for maintaining heart health. Studies have shown that when folate levels are low, homocysteine (a substance that promotes atheroschlerosis) levels rise, increasing the risk of heart disease.

Asparagus also provides vitamin B-6, which also helps maintain heart health.

As asparagus is an excellent source of potassium and also low in sodium, its a healthy food if you have high blood pressure. Potassium is a diuretic, and helps lower blood pressure and helps relieve all ailments involving swelling, such as arthritis, and water retention problems associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Asparagus is rich in vitamin C. Research shows that vitamin C helps improve oral
absorption of iron. Taking vitamin C can help in the absorption of iron dietary supplements.

Research shows that eating fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C and fiber, such as asparagus, reduces the risk of certain types of cancer-risk of various types of cancer, particularly cancers of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, colon, and lung.

Asparagus roots have been found beneficial in the treatment of mental disorders such as depression. The powder of the dry asparagus root is a good tonic for the brain and nerves.

Low in calories, with quite a bit of fiber, asparagus makes a good weight-loss food.

Cooking Tips

Asparagus tastes best when prepared right after picking (unfortunately, for most of us, that would be soon after buying it from the local grocery store!). Asparagus loses moisture and taste soon after picking.
When buying asparagus, look for tight, closed spears and stalks that look moist and not dry and woody. Thickness doesn't matter as long as they're fresh.
Wash under cool, running water and cut an inch from the stem end. You can peel an inch or two from the bottom end if you want.

Asparagus can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, roasted, sauteed, grilled and used in salads, casseroles, and stir-fries. Asparagus is bland, so it combines quite well with different ingredients.

Sources
www.mayoclinic.org
www.fda.gov
Mithcell, Deborah. The Complete Book of Nutritional Healing. New York: St. Martin's Papaerbacks, 2009
Bakhru, H. K. Home Remedies for Common Ailments. New Delihi: Orient Paperbacks, 2008

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