Asparagus is a delicious and healthy seasonal vegetable. It was already cultivated by the Egyptians for its medicinal properties. Asparagus is now widely grown in Limburg’s Peel. Asparagus is quite expensive. It is a delicacy among vegetables. It is not without reason that asparagus is regularly put on the menu in restaurants serving Dutch or European cuisine in the spring. Asparagus is available in green and white. NB! This article is written from the personal view of the author and may contain information that is not scientifically substantiated and/or in line with the general view.

Contents:

• Wild asparagus
• Vitamin-rich spring vegetables
• Full of minerals
• Overloaded with phytonutrients
• Strong antioxidant effect
• Inulin in asparagus
• Good for the diabetic
• Asparagus against cancer

Wild asparagus

Wild asparagus is native to India, the Himalayan Mountains, where it is used locally for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The traditional medicinal properties attributed to asparagus have been confirmed by current modern science, which sees asparagus as a super healthy vegetable in which more nutrients than average can be measured.

Vitamin-rich spring vegetables

Asparagus is an extremely nutritious vegetable. It contains a large number of different vitamins. 100 grams of asparagus contains 46% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin K. In addition, one ounce of asparagus contains 15% of the RDA of vitamin A. The vegetable is also rich in folic acid or vitamin B11 (12%RDA). It contains 9% of the RDA of vitamin B1. Furthermore, these elongated vegetable stems contain vitamin C (9% DV), vitamin B2 (9% DV), vitamin E (6% DV), vitamin B3 (5% DV), vitamin B6 (5% DV) and vitamin B5 (3% DV). ADH). These values all apply to 100 grams of asparagus, but if you eat asparagus as a meal, you quickly consume 2 ounces. ‘In that case you can multiply all values by two.Source: Alex1011, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)

Full of minerals

The asparagus is a rich source of minerals. The iron content in 100 grams of asparagus is especially high; 11% of the RDA. In order of the extent to which it is present, here is a list of the other super healthy minerals found in asparagus: copper (9%ADH), manganese (7%ADH), molybdenum (6%ADH), potassium (5%ADH). ), phosphorus (5% RDA), zinc, magnesium and selenium account for 4% of the RDA and finally it contains 2% of the RDA in calcium. In addition, the asparagus contains the amino acid tryptophan (10% DV) and proteins (5% DV).

Overloaded with phytonutrients

Many phytonutrients are found in asparagus. It contains four important saponins, namely: asparanin A, sarsasapogenin, protodioscin and diosgenin. These all have an anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular level. Sarsasapogenin is known to counteract the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This nerve disease, which is caused by inflammation in the nerves, is counteracted by this special saponin found in asparagus. In addition, flavonoids are active as anti-inflammatory agents, in particular: quercetin, rutin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin.Source: CSvBibra, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Strong antioxidant effect

Due to all the anti-inflammatory phytonutrients in combination with the presence of beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E and the minerals selenium, zinc and manganese, it can be said that asparagus is a very good source of antioxidants. These combat free radicals that can cause all kinds of damage in the body, which if excessively present can lead to diseases and even damage to the DNA.

Inulin in asparagus

Inulin is a special substance. It is used as a glucose substitute in people with diabetes. Inulin has no influence on blood sugar levels. In addition, inulin is used as a prebiotic in conventional medicine. These are substances that are not directly digested but do stimulate bacterial growth in the intestines and thus have major health effects in the body. Inulin promotes the growth of bifidobacteria and the production of lactic acid, succinic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and acetic acid. In Ayurvedic medicine from India, asparagus is therefore seen as a medicine for digestive disorders. Inulin is also found in chicory root, which is used as a coffee substitute, and artichokes.Source: Rasbak, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)

Good for the diabetic

In addition to inulin, asparagus contains a lot of vitamin B. These regulate blood sugar levels because they play a key role in the conversion of sugars in the body. In addition, asparagus contains a lot of fiber. 100 Grams of asparagus accounts for 8% of the RDA of fiber. Fiber is extra good for diabetes patients because fiber-rich food is digested more gradually, resulting in fewer fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

Asparagus against cancer

Asparagus is good for preventing cancer. It contains a substance that is used as a medicine against leukemia. That is the amino acid asparagine. This amino acid occurs naturally in asparagus, but the medicine uses bacteria that can make the amino acid. Furthermore, the enzyme asparaginase is present in the asparagus stem. This also has a preventive effect against cancer.

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