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 Asparagus :
Asparagus is a member of the lily family, which includes
onions, leeks and garlic. Asparagus is a powerhouse of vitamins
and minerals. They are an excellent source of folic acid (folate)
and vitamin K. Asparagus also contains vitamins C and A,
tryptophan, B1, B2, manganese, fiber, B6, copper, B3,
phosphorus, protein, potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium
and calcium. Asparagus have detoxifying and diuretic effects.
They contain the phytochemical glutathione which has antioxidant
and anti-carcinogenic properties. The Folate contained in
asparagus is involved in the methylation cycle. Methylation
reactions are the body’s “spark plugs” in a wide variety of very
important reactions including the chemicals norepinephrine
changing into adrenaline, and serotonin into melatonin. Folate
and B6 in asparagus (along with B12) are involved in the
changing of homocysteine into cysteine. High levels of
homocysteine ane a marker for heart disease. |
