Asparagus

What is Asparagus Good For? – Unique Health Benefits

Asparagus is not only a delicious side dish that goes incredibly well with steak or salmon.

It turns out that asparagus is also an extremely healthy vegetable as well, which is why health experts recommend that we consume more of it.

Asparagus actually comes from the Asparagacea family, of which there are over 200 different species in that plant family.

Asparagus spears are great for treating urinary tract infections, they’re rich in antioxidants, they contain vitamin E, and they’re ideal for people looking to reduce and regulate their blood pressure levels as well.

Those are just a few examples of what asparagus is good for, so now let’s take a more detailed look at the many health benefits asparagus provides.

Can reduce blood pressure

High blood pressure is one of the biggest killers in the world today.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure as it is also known, affects over 1.3 billion people and is a major risk factor for serious health conditions such as stroke, heart disease, heart attack, renal failure, and much more besides.

Asparagus is ideal for people looking to reduce their blood pressure levels as it is a great source of potassium.

Potassium can counteract the negative effects of excess sodium intake, which is responsible for hikes in blood pressure.

Potassium helps the body to filter out excess levels of sodium, plus it also relaxes the walls of the blood vessels and arteries, thereby increasing circulation.

Great source of vitamin E

Vitamin E is a very healthy vitamin that many people are actually deficient in to a certain degree.

Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant that helps to protect the cells, thereby promoting optimal health and well-being.

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin, which means that it can only be broken down and absorbed in the presence of fat. Because asparagus is virtually fat-free, health experts recommend drizzling it with olive oil and roasting it first.

Promotes a healthy urinary tract

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs as they are also known, can be incredibly painful.

Asparagus is loaded full of an amino acid known as asparagine, which functions as a natural diuretic. This means that it helps to flush out excess levels of fluids, toxins, and salts from the body, which could be responsible for causing urinary tract infections.

If you aren’t urinating enough, you aren’t getting rid of what the body needs to get rid of, and as a result men and women will find themselves at an increased risk of suffering from a urinary tract infection.

Asparagus, as it is a natural diuretic, assists with this process which is why your urine smells like asparagus after you consume it, thanks to the asparagine.

Great for weight loss

Obesity and being overweight can put you at risk for all manner of health issues.

Asparagus is a fantastic vegetable for people looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Asparagus is low in calories, low in sugars and carbs, and is virtually fat-free.

On top of that, because it is rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, it can help to curb hunger as it keeps you feeling full for longer as fiber is digested and broken down so slowly.