As well as its delicious taste, asparagus also offers a host of health benefits, including vitamins, minerals and anti-cancer compounds, and can even give your brain a boost, reports Shine.
The thick green stalk is rich in fiber, folate, vitamin A, C, E and K, and chromium. Minerals contained in the vegetable also aid the body’s natural insulin, helping it to transport glucose from the bloodstream to the cells, where it can be used as energy.
Asparagus is high in antioxidants and a compound called glutathione, which helps the body break down carcinogens and other toxins like free radicals, helping to prevent cancer.
The vegetable also contains folate, which has been linked to improved brain function and reaction time. Folate combines with vitamin B12, commonly found in fish, meat, poultry, and milk, to help prevent cognitive impairment.
A diuretic, asparagus can help reduce fluid retention and rids the body of excess salt. Try serving it without butter, salt or sauce in order to avoid undermining this benefit.
To get the most from the vegetable, eat it raw or try grilling or pan-frying it without water, to help it to retain more of its beneficial antioxidants.