Health Benefits Of Eating Asparagus - Asparagus Nutrition, Nutrients, Calories, Data, Facts

In this video we discuss some of the major health benefits of asparagus as well as the nutrition of asparagus including its caloric profile, micronutrient profile, and its benefits on gut health. Transcript/notes Benefits of asparagus Asparagus is an extremely nutrient dense plant that can take up to 5 years to harvest from seed, and many times it is grown from year old plants called crowns. Asparagus is a perennial, meaning it will produce each year, and the plant can be productive sometimes for up to 20 years. Asparagus grows best in cooler areas with long winters and can take up to 2 to 3 years to be productive. Once established, asparagus are fast producers, providing new spears every few days for a few weeks in the spring, and can grow 6 inches in a day. One half cup, about 90 grams of cooked asparagus provides about 20 calories, less than a gram of fat, 3.7 grams of carbohydrates, 2.2 grams of protein, and 1.8 grams of fiber. Asparagus also has a great micronutrient profile, as it provides more than 10% of the RDV of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K thiamin and folate, and is also rich in potassium, phosphorous and vitamin E. Asparagus is also high in antioxidants which can help to protect cells from harmful free radicals and are linked to a decreased risk of many diseases, such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Asparagus is also high in fiber, which can help improve gut health, promote bowel health, lower cholesterol levels, aid in weight control and in removing toxins from the body. Asparagus is also rich in Inulin, which is a prebiotic that helps to promote the health of beneficial good bacteria in the gut. The cost of asparagus typically ranges from $2 to $6 per pound depending on the season. This equates to about $0.40 to $1.20 for a 90 gram serving. And most people will either steam it, boil it sauté it, or grill it. China is the number one producer of asparagus, producing over 8.3 million tons a year. Bottom line is that asparagus is a really great, nutrient dense, healthy food with links to gut health, and antioxidant benefits. And it can also be satisfying to know that you are consuming something created completely through nature. Timestamps 0:00 How asparagus grows 0:29 Asparagus nutrition, nutrients, calories 0:42 Asparagus micronutrient profile 1:08 Fiber benefits from asparagus 1:26 Cost of asparagus 1:46 Bottom line about asparagus