Health Benefits Of Asparagus

Getting more fresh vegetables into your daily diet should be one of the top goals that you have if you want to boost your health state, improve your weight loss efforts, and ensure that you are keeping yourself as energized as possible.

Asparagus is one of the best vegetables to consume, however far too often gets overlooked for other vegetables such as corn, carrots, broccoli, and spinach.

While those are healthy as well, we must not neglect what asparagus has to offer us as well. Let’s take a look at what this vegetable holds.

Did You Know?

Asparagus has what’s referred to as a ‘high respiration rate’, meaning that it will continue to have metabolic activity after it’s harvested, utilizing oxygen and emitting carbon dioxide. All vegetables do this, but asparagus does to an even higher degree, meaning that it will go bad much quicker as well.

To help extend the life of your asparagus, you can slow down this respiration process by wrapping the ends of the asparagus in a damp paper towel or cloth. This will keep it longer in the fridge so that you have up to 48 hours to consume it.

Star Nutrients

The line-up of nutrients in this health-boosting vegetable is a long one.  You’ll take in almost 70% of your vitamin K needs, making this the stand-out nutrient this food contains.

But in addition to that, you’ll also take in vitamin A, folate, iron, vitamin B1, vitamin C, copper, vitamin B2, manganese, potassium, vitamin E, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium, as well as selenium. You’ll even get a small dose of bone-boosting calcium from this food as well.

How It Helps You Lose Weight

Asparagus is excellent for your weight loss efforts first and foremost because it’s so low in calories. Per one cup serving, you’ll take in just 26 calories, making it an easy add to just about anyone’s diet.

In addition to that however, the iron found in asparagus can help you maintain higher energy levels and ward off iron-deficiency anemia.

Since many people who have weight loss in mind will be doing away with red meat products because they are higher in calories, this can mean that your iron stores start to fall low.

By including lower calorie iron containing foods, you help avoid this.  Asparagus is one of those.

In addition to that, this vegetable is loaded with B vitamins, all of which will help to ensure that you maintain higher energy levels and are able to convert the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins you eat into usable forms of energy.

Last but not least, this vegetable contains some zinc as well, which can boost your immune system, promoting a faster recovery from your intense workout sessions, thus speeding the weight loss process along.

So don’t overlook asparagus any longer. Serve it up with some fresh lemon juice rather than butter to keep the calorie count down and this will make for the perfect addition to any diet plan.