1. It keeps your bones healthy
A serving of asparagus contains an impressive 69.6% of your daily recommended dose of vitamin K. This is fantastic news for your bones, because vitamin K is essential for keeping them strong and healthy. It helps with bone repair and formation, and has been known to aid in the prevention of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Vitamin K is also important for the synthesis of osteocalcin—a protein within your bone tissue that calcium crystallizes upon.
2. It assists digestion
Asparagus contains fiber, which is essential for a nice healthy digestive system. This is particularly important if you enjoy going number two on a regular basis and don’t particularly want to be constipated.
3. It has anti-aging properties
Asparagus is rich in vitamin E, which is also a lipid-soluble antioxidant and therefore highly beneficial for your skin. It helps to protect tissue cells from mediated oxidant injury, which basically means that it keeps your skin looking young and healthy.
4. It’s good for healthy hair
Since we’re on the vain train already, we might as well talk hair. The calcium, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C within asparagus all promote healthy hair. They stimulate your hair follicles, which subsequently produce sebum. Although that word is generally associated with nasty, oily pimples, it can be a good thing when it comes to the top of your head. Sebum is a natural conditioner and moisturizer for your hair, which means it makes it stronger and prevents it from becoming dry and brittle.
5. It can prevent cancer
Being a leafy green vegetables, asparagus in high in folate, which is known to protect against cancer. It should be noted that eating foods that contain folate is much better than taking folic acid. The latter is a mere supplement and therefore the benefits derived from natural folate are greater.
6. It prevents birth defects
Speaking of our good mate folate, it’s also imperative for pregnant women. In fact, many doctors recommend a folic acid supplement for those who are even considering pregnancy. This is because folate regulates the fetal and embryonic nerve cell formations. Furthermore, it can also help to prevent premature births.
7. It assists with weight loss
A serving of asparagus contains roughly 10.9% of your daily fiber requirements. This is important for weight loss because, as previously mentioned, it helps to kick start your digestive system. In addition, fiber helps you feel fuller for longer, so you’re less tempted to gorge yourself on food you don’t really need. Asparagus is also great for weight loss because it contains potassium, which has been known to help reduce belly fat. It also doesn’t contain any fat or cholesterol, and its lack of sodium means that it won’t make women bloat before and during a period. As a lady, I’m delighted by this prospect. Lastly, one cup of asparagus contains a mere 40 calories, so it’s a guilt-free snack on top of everything else!
8. It keeps your eyes healthy
The vitamin A found in asparagus can help you maintain healthy vision because it helps your retinas to absorb light. It also contains cancer prevention properties and can help to stop macular degeneration developing later in life.
9. It’s high in iron
A single serving of asparagus contains 15.9% of your recommended dose of iron. This is particularly good news for vegetarians and vegans who need a non-meat source of iron. Iron should be an imperative aspect of your diet because it is one of the key components of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to different parts of your body. Being iron deficient can seriously affect your health, as well as deteriorate your mental capabilities and resistance to infection and disease.
10. It’s an aphrodisiac
Now we’re up to the really good stuff. There are several factors that contribute to asparagus being beneficial for your sex life. The first is that it’s rich in folate and vitamin B6, which can benefit both your arousal and orgasm. Secondly, it contains vitamin E which helps to stimulate (see what I did there?) the sex hormones in men and women. Also, it’s a bit phallic looking, right? I’m just saying that the French don’t call it ‘asperge’ (which is also a slang word for penis) for no reason.
