As the asparagus shoots from the soil, spring has already arrived. Asparagus is one of the plants that indicate the season of springtime has come. A part of the Lily family, asparagus has 300 varieties. But one must be careful which among the 300 should be brought to the kitchen since there are only about 20 types that can be eaten. Asparagus comes in at least three colors. The most common is the green color. When harvested, the length may range from six to eight inches. There is also the white color, which can usually be found in cans. This variety grows underground. The third one is the purple asparagus which is rare. This color type is rich in phytonutrients that can be beneficial to the health.

Asparagus is popular as a dish than as a medicinal plant. For more than two thousand years however asparagus is regarded to have healing properties. Some of the species of asparagus are specifically used as medicine. But nonetheless, asparagus as a whole is beneficial to health. Below are some of the health advantages that can be derived from asparagus:

1. It has anti-inflammatory properties

   When our body detects that it has been compromised, the very first reaction by our immune system is to activate the inflammatory process. Just like tiny soldiers, several cells in our body are being released in command or as programmed by its DNA in order to protect the whole body from any invading organisms. And this is definitely a healthy activity. What is unhealthy is when the body is subjected to too much inflammation.

   When there are too much of too many inflammatory activities, the body cells will degrade and may run the risk of having to be replaced with defective cells. In order to inhibit this activity, inflammation has to stop. But we cannot simply command our body to stop it especially since the external environment is crammed with substances that are harmful to the body. We can however, eat asparagus which is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. The saponins, quercetin, rutin, isorhamnetin and kaempferol found in any asparagus stalks are what protect the body from too much inflammation. In fact, one nutrient called sarsasapogenin, which is highly rich in asparagus, has some benefits towards the disease suffered by former American baseball player Lou Gehrig called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, where the chronic inflammation on specific nerves and muscles in the body is reduced.

2. It contains antioxidants

   The byproducts of the oxidative process of our body cells are called free radicals. There are also external free radicals that are so tiny they can easily enter our body. Free radicals destroy healthy cells in our body. When healthy cells are destroyed, evidences of aging occur. There will be more diseases since the body organs cannot anymore function properly, and the physical looks will be more matured since many of the skin cells are depleting. But when asparagus is eaten regularly, the vegetable is loaded with phytonutrients that acts as antioxidants. Aside from the traditional antioxidant contained in asparagus, such as vitamin C, A, E, manganese and zinc, asparagus is also loaded with the proteins: cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine; all these are formed into what is popularly called glutathione. Glutathione is such a powerful antioxidant that asparagus is ranked among the highest antioxidant vegetables.

3. It helps prevent cancer

   The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of asparagus makes it an effective anti-cancer vegetable. When oxidative stress is prevented, inflammation is also reduced. When there is increased inflammation and death of cells, there is greater chances that replacement cells will be the cancerous type as there is DNA modification that happens in the process. Interestingly, in the case of leukemia, particularly the acute lymphoblastic leukemia, patients are usually injected with the asparaginase, an enzyme that combats asparagine, a protein implicated in the disease. These two substances are certainly found in asparagus. While it is still in the process of further research, this simply indicates that the substances found in asparagus can actually help prevent formation of cancer cells.

4. It helps fight diabetes

   One of the nutrients that asparagus is loaded of is the B-vitamin. As it turns out, vitamins B1 and folic acid is highly rich in asparagus. Vitamins B2, B3 and B6 are also high in every stalk of asparagus. All B-vitamins are necessary for the proper regulation of blood sugar in the body. Additionally, asparagus is rich in dietary and soluble fiber, which is necessary to lower the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Both the B-vitamins and the fiber loaded in asparagus regulate the blood sugar properly and prevent the development of diabetes.

5. It promotes easy digestion

   Inulin is the keyword. Asparagus is rich in inulin. It is a type of carbohydrate that is not broken down at the upper portion of the digestive system. It can easily pass through the digestive tract and then stays at the lower portion of the system, at the large ingesting level. At this stage, inulin starts to break down and becomes the food of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. With these bacteria surviving due to inulin, there is proper absorption of nutrients at the colon level. Allergy to foods is also prevented, as well as the prevention of colon cancer. High amounts of fiber and protein are also found in asparagus. All these nutrients promotes healthier digestive system.

6. It is good for the heart

   Just like prevention of diabetes, it is the fiber and the vitamin B contained in asparagus that makes it good for the heart. When fiber is increased, cholesterol is eliminated and therefore prevents accumulation of the fatty substances within the blood stream that when clogged will result to cardiovascular problems. Aside from the conventional nutrients, the antioxidant phytonutrients also helps prevent the cholesterol from being damaged that can result to inflammatory process leading to blood vessel inflammation and congestion. Asparagus therefore must be eaten regularly for a healthy heart.

7. It is packed with vitamins and minerals

   When one says packed with nutrients, it is truly packed in asparagus. A cup of raw asparagus alone can already provide approximately 70 percent of the vitamin K daily requirement. It also can provide about 20 percent of vitamin A. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and folate can also be received from asparagus. Asparagus is also a rich source of minerals. Iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, selenium and calcium can be found in varying amounts in asparagus. All this is a cup for only 26 calories.

Sources
naturalhomeandgarden.com
whfoods.org