The best time to consume them is during the spring. In those months we can see them in stores in their two varieties (white and green) .

In addition to being delicious and versatile, did you know what the benefits of Asparagus are?

We tell you in the next article.

Characteristics of the asparagus

It is the main stem of a plant called Aspargus Officinalis, which can measure up to one and a half meters high.

It belongs to the family of leeks, onions and chives , although they do not resemble in shape or taste.

The green asparagus is native to the area of ​​the Mediterranean Sea. More precisely near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

In ancient Egypt and Greece it was used as food and as an offering to the gods. It was the Romans who popularized this plant due to its medicinal properties and carried it throughout Europe.

With the decline of the Roman Empire, the consumption of this Vegetable fell markedly.

However, in the twelfth century they returned to acquire fame for their qualities in gastronomy. Already in the seventeenth century asparagus became one of the foods most consumed by the bourgeoisie and the upper classes of society.

Until the 19th century, the only type of asparagus known was green. However, thanks to a change in the way of cultivation (underground) the white variety emerged.

The difference is related to how much contact with the sun the plant has (green is chlorophyll).

Today this vegetable is grown in temperate regions and its main producers are Italy, Germany and France.

Although greenhouses and cold rooms allow us to have vegetables all year round, the best time to consume asparagus is in the spring . In the other months you can enjoy it in the form of preserves, for example.

What are the benefits of asparagus?

With many vitamins, this outbreak used since ancient times is recommended for its different benefits. Find out what they are next:

1. It is diuretic

Being composed mostly of water facilitates the elimination of liquids.

• It is advised in people with retention, edema or kidney problems (stones and infections, for example) as well as hypertension.
• In addition it contributes esparragina that induces to the production of urine.
• It has no natural sodium and therefore, does not increase the typical swelling during the premenstrual syndrome.

2. It is laxative

Another of the benefits of asparagus for our health is related to its ability to regulate intestinal transit due to the fiber present in its composition.

Avoid, treat or prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticula in the colon and irritable bowel syndrome.

The fiber, in turn, has other properties such as, for example, contribute to the reduction of cholesterol and promote the decomposition of sugars in blood.

3. It is antioxidant

A dish that includes asparagus can be much more effective than any beauty treatment.

This is because this green or white vegetable provides many antioxidants that have the ability to neutralize the effects of free radicals .

These attack the cells and cause aging. In turn, it has beta-carotene, which benefits the health of the skin.

4. It is antidepressant

Asparagus has a good dose of folic acid. This nutrient is responsible not only to improve health in pregnant women and help the fetus in its development, but also has beneficial effects for the brain.

This vegetable, therefore, reduces the risks of suffering from cognitive deterioration, but also serves to conciliate sleep, combat insomnia and treat depression .

Therefore, if you are having trouble resting, you find yourself too stressed or tired the best thing you can do is eat some asparagus at dinner.

It’s better than any pill.

5. It is very nutritious

Within the nutritional composition of asparagus we can highlight that it has vitamins A, C, E and K; Chromium, oligoelements, fiber and folic acid.

Consuming it periodically gives the body many essential nutrients for its functioning.

6. It is recommended for bones

People older than 50 years (especially women who are in the stage of menopause) and children under 5 years should consume more asparagus than others.

Why? Because thanks to the vitamin K that contributes your bones will be stronger and healthier and fractures will be avoided.

Whether due to osteoporosis or osteoarthritis, the skeletal system in the elderly is weakened.

In the case of the small ones it can serve them to grow and develop normally. Thanks to this vegetable, the osteocalcin protein (located in the bone tissue) can do your job correctly.

7. It is slimming

If we are doing a diet to lose weight we can not stop including asparagus in our meal plan.

• One cup (200 g) of this vegetable has almost 300 mg of potassium. This nutrient is famous for reducing abdominal fat.
• It also has fiber that prevents constipation and promotes the elimination of toxins.

And, as if all that were not enough, satiates the appetite, so it prevents us from consuming food due to anxiety, depression or boredom .

8. It is antiviral

Finally, another of the benefits of asparagus is related to its contribution of nutrients that promote the immune system.

They are ideal, then, to prevent colds, flu or any viral or bacterial disease.