Asparagus is a healthy vegetable that is full of beneficial nutrients and tastes very delicious. Previously, Asparagus was named an aphrodisiac, maybe for a good reason. It is a succulent and savory vegetable that contains a blend of nutrients, which helps to boost energy, neutralize excess ammonia, and cleanse the urinary tract, which can further cause fatigue and sexual disinterest.
No doubt that Asparagus is a powerhouse of healthy nutrients. It is a delicious veggie that absolutely tastes better whether to eat cooked or raw. But many people believe that it is always necessary to cook Asparagus before eating, but it’s not the case.
If you are wondering how can you eat Asparagus? Can you eat them raw? Is it healthy to eat Asparagus raw? What are the benefits of eating raw Asparagus? If all these questions are confusing you, then you are in the right place; we are going to discuss all about Asparagus.
Is it OK to eat uncooked Asparagus?
Most people wonder that it is important to cook Asparagus before eating it, but it is not necessary to cook them before eating. They can be cooked for some reasons like to eliminate bacterial contamination, soften the plant fibers, and make this veggie easy to chew and digest, and give a slightly different taste to it. However, it is safe to eat Asparagus raw and enjoy them eating raw without any health hazards.
The bottom line is that it is absolutely fine to eat uncooked Asparagus. It gives you a lot of goodness and fiber. It’s not wrong to say that rating asparagus raw is better than cooked one to enjoy its full nutrients. You can dip them into eggs as soldiers or shave them into salad and slaw.
With the proper preparation, you can get the best from these veggies. While eating them raw, you should remove the woody ends of the spear, grate them with a vegetable grater, and shred the spare into fine small pieces. The thinner the pieces you will make of raw Asparagus, the easier they will be to chew. However, cooking Asparagus softens its tough pant fiber and makes this veggie easy to chew and digest.
What are the benefits of eating raw Asparagus?
Whether cooked or raw, Asparagus has a very distinctive flavor that has just a hint of bitterness. If this veggie is overcooked, then this can end up being too bitter. Overcooking can make this veggie hard to eat by bringing its bitter flavor.
When Asparagus is eaten raw, the bitterness of this veggie may get milder, although the texture can be tough to get through. It’s worth considering the number of health benefits that Asparagus can offer.
There is no doubt that Asparagus is excellent and energetic food. The food is rich in fiber and protein and contains vitamins A and C and nutrients such as potassium, iron, and magnesium. Plus, it’s almost calorie-free, with 100 grams of Asparagus having just 20 calories and has no fat. It can be eaten raw or cooked. However, cooking time also affects health benefits linked with Asparagus.
According to the study published in 2011, the longer the Asparagus is cooked, the more nutrients are lost.
It is also being said that cooking asparagus can remove some of the nutrients. It means that raw Asparagus may even be able to give a few extra nutrients than cooked. The best way is to add a little of both, cooked and raw, into your diet to enjoy all the nutritional benefits linked with Asparagus. This mixture can give you all the health benefits, including improved digestion.
Read also : Green vs Purple vs White Asparagu
Can eating raw Asparagus make you sick?
There are no life-threatening side effects linked with eating raw Asparagus. Some people may face uncomfortable side effects like gas and a noticeable smell to the urine.
Another possible side effect that some people may face is asparagus allergy; you should not eat it whenever you feel the symptoms.
Can you eat Asparagus every day?
Asparagus is a healthy and nutritious vegetable to eat, whether cooked or raw. The veggie is packed with a number of essential Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can be eaten every day. It’s a great way to include in a fiber-rich diet to keep your digestive system healthy.
According to the health line, adding a half cup of Asparagus to your daily diet can give you 2.2 grams of protein, 1.8 grams of fiber, and a good amount of vitamin K and folate.
Eating Asparagus every day can improve your brain health as it is rich in amino acid asparagine that assists in the function of the brain. Asparagus also contains Vitamin B12 and folate that works great to improve response speed and mental flexibility.
Asparagus is low in calories, contains fiber, and is composed of 94% water, and many studies have shown that a diet containing fiber proves helpful in weight loss. So daily intake of Asparagus can also help in weight loss.
How to Eat Asparagus Raw?
Eating raw Asparagus can be a little tough for many people. If you find it hard to eat them raw, there are plenty of ways to make them delicious and easy to eat. If you make thick slices of them, their texture will become easier to chew and will become a lovely snack all on its own.
You can also enjoy eating them by directly biting on them, but this experience is not likely to be pleasurable. Some of the tasty ways to eat them raw are as follows;
Dip them like soldiers: Making asparagus dip for yourself is a great way of eating them raw. You can also consume Asparagus as a great alternative to toast to dip into a boiled egg, which makes delicious and great food for you.
Make thin slices for the salad: Another great way to eat them raw is to add this veggie to your regular salads. You can make thin slices of asparagus veggie using a vegetable grater and shred them into salads and coleslaw. Instead of using a vegetable grater, you can also use a sharp knife, vegetable peeler to cut them into small pieces.
You can also toss the small pieces of Asparagus in the simple dressing of lemon juice and olive oil juice or vinegar to tenderize the tougher parts of the stalk. This could also be a great way to add a dash of flavor.
There is absolutely no reason not to eat them raw; in fact, you can even get more some extra health benefits as the cooking process can remove some of the nutrients from the veggie. It would be best to buy Asparagus when it is in the season between February and June. If you want to enjoy the best one, Asparagus, then we recommend buying them in April. Asparagus season is at its peak during this season and will give you a more delicate flavor.
Advantages of Raw Asparagus
Asparagus has plenty of health benefits, no matter they are eaten raw or cooked. Asparagus is 93% water and low in sodium, and they are also rich in;
- Vitamin
- Calcium
- Fiber
- Protein
- Dietary Fiber
- Vitamin A, B, C and k
- Beta-Carotene
- Thiamin
- Rutin
- Iron
- Folic Acid
The blend of all these healthy nutrients makes this veggie a very healthy diet. Eating them can give you the following health benefits;
Maintain Heart Health:
Asparagus is very beneficial to maintain heart health. Because Asparagus contains Vitamin K, which helps in blood clots, the veggie is also high in Vitamin B, which helps regulate the amino acids homocysteine, too much of which can be a severe risk factor in heart disease. Asparagus also contains fiber in some quantity, which is helpful to lower the risk of heart diseases.
Prevent Kidney stone:
Asparagus acts as a natural diuretic, which helps the body to get rid of all excess salt and fluid. This is especially good for people suffering from edema and high blood pressure. It also helps flesh out the kidney’s toxins and prevents kidney stones.
Regulate blood sugar:
The veggie works great to regulate blood sugar. But the people with diabetes or low blood sugar should avoid taking them in high amounts. However, people with healthy levels can benefit from eating this veggie.
Support Healthy pregnancy:
Just a half-cup of Asparagus provides 34% of their daily folate needs to adults and 22% of daily needs to pregnant women. Folate is an essential nutrient that helps produce red blood cells and produces DNA for healthy growth and development. These processes are fundamental during the initial stages of pregnancy to ensure the baby’s healthy development.
Helps to lower the blood pressure:
Blood pressure is a significant risk factor that has affected more than 1.3 billion people worldwide. Doctors recommend taking a high potassium intake and reducing salt intake to lower blood pressure.
Asparagus veggie is a great way to lower that blood pressure as it contains potassium and provides you 6% of your daily requirement in half serving.
Many types of research show that Asparagus also has many other blood pressure-lowering properties.