Asparagus - Flavorful Nutrition in Stalks

There are few vegetables that are more nutritionally complete than asparagus. Once considered a delicacy, asparagus is quickly gaining popularity in North America for its light flavor and the variety of ways in which it can be prepared.

Asparagus has been served as far back as Egyptian times. It can be steamed, boiled, stir-fried or baked and is delicious with a delicate sauce such as Hollandaise, garlic butter or olive oil with a bit of grated parmesan cheese. You can also find a multitude of recipes that call for asparagus, including casseroles and soups.

Of course, the flavor is just one reason people love asparagus. It's also a guilt-free, healthy food that only tastes decadent. With less than four calories per stalk, even a hearty serving won't damage your diet and is rich in fiber and potassium. Rutin, essential in the strengthening of the body's capillary walls, is also plentiful in asparagus, along with vitamin B6 and vitamin C. But the most important reason to eat this tasty vegetable is the abundance of folic acid for the production of red blood cells and the prevention of neural tube birth defects. While everyone should get plenty of folic acid, it's especially important for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive.

Eastern countries have used asparagus stalks, as well as the roots and seeds, for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. It's been proven that taking dried asparagus supplements can provide some of the same benefits as eating the fresh vegetable, and also acts as a mild diuretic. It is also purported to relieve menstrual cramps and help alleviate the discomfort of menopause for some women because it stabilizes hormone levels.

So if you're looking for a vegetable that's good for you and uniquely flavorful and easy to prepare, try asparagus!

Alternative Therapies | Bad Nutrients | Calculators | Detox Diets | Diabetic Diets|
Diet Pills and Supplements | Exercise | Facts | Free Diets | Habits | Weight and Health | Healthy Nutrients | Herbs | Low Carb Diets | Macrobiotic and Vegetarian Diets | Minerals | Miscellaneous Diets I | Miscellaneous Diets II | Natural Diets | Recipes | Tips | Vitamins and Enzymes | Weightloss Plans |

All Article Text on this site is copyrighted© 2006-2007 weightcontrolroom.com All rights reserved. Do not copy.
The info on this site is for informational purposes only and not medical info in any way, see disclaimer.