All food contains all of the nutrients we need to be healthy, it is necessary to eat various foods in sufficient amounts. A good diet will include many different foods, and sufficient in quantity and quality to meet an individual’s need for food energy and other micro nutrients.

Herbs And Spices

Honey

Ice Cream

Jams

Jicama

ASPARAGUS

Typical serving size:

½ cup, cooked (90 g)

HOW IT HARMS

Gout

WHAT IT HEALS

Helps fight cancer

Slows aging

Fights cognitive decline

Aids in glucose transport

Reduces edema

Eases stress

ASPARAGUS FACTS

The ancient Greeks and Romans believed asparagus possessed medicinal properties, from alleviating toothaches to preventing bee stings
Such things are mythical, but asparagus does contain a good supply of vitamins and minerals

Asparagus can be found in green and white varieties
Green asparagus is the most common in the U
S
, while the white is more popular in Europe
Asparagus is low in calories— six spears have just 20 calories
It also contains vitamins C and K and folate

Health Benefits

Slows aging
The antioxidants in asparagus may help put a brake on the aging process
Fights cognitive decline
The folate in asparagus works with vitamin B12 to help prevent cognitive impairment
Reduces edema (swelling)
Asparagus contains the natural diuretic asparagine, which helps your body get rid of excess fluid and salt
This is especially helpful for people with edema caused by high blood pressure or other heart-related diseases
Relieves stress
Asparagus is high in folate—this B vitamin helps combat stress
Health Risk Gout
Asparagus contains purines, substances that promote the overproduction of uric acid that precipitates painful attacks of gout
If you have gout, keep your asparagus consumption to a minimum

Allergies

Dress steamed asparagus with a blend of olive oil and orange juice

Refrigerate cooked, cooled asparagus pieces for snacks or salad add-ins

Wrap slices of smoked turkey around steamed spears for a fast appetizer

Buying Tips

Choose firm, yet tender, stalks

For the green variety, choose stalks with deep green or purplish tips that are closed and compact

Avoid excessively sandy spears

Stalks with a narrow diameter are more tender than thick ones

Storing Tips

Store stalks, with bottoms wrapped in a damp paper towel, in the crisper section of the refrigerator
If you don’t have a crisper, put them in plastic bags and place them in the coldest part of the refrigerator

Eat asparagus with a day or two, because the flavor lessens with each passing day
50% of people will have smelly urine after eating asparagus