What are the health
benefits of Asparagus?
In the past, asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) was popularly used to
prevent and treat inflammation, dyspepsia nervous disorders, gastric
ulcers, liver diseases and certain infectious conditions. Recently, beneficial
effects of alcoholic and water extracts of the root of asparagus racemosus
have been demonstrated in some clinical trials. There are more than 300
species of Asparagus and Asparagus officinalis is the most popular species
in vegetable consumption. Asparagus contains steroidal saponins and
sapogenins. [1]

What are the side effects of Asparagus?

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) has been reported to cause allergy. A
55-year-old German cook presented with seasonal (always in May)
recurrent dyshidrosiform hand. May is the month in which asparagus
(Asparagus officinalis) is most commonly served in the meals. After
consuming asparagus, this cook also developed dyspnea and dysphagia.
Diagnostic allergy testing revealed positive reactions against asparagus in
prick-to-prick and epicutaneous patch tests. [2] In another case, a
53-year-old farm worker presented with a 3-year history of an occupational
allergic contact dermatitis to asparagus. Systemic corticosteroids were
found to be effective to clear the dermatitis. The allergen was believed to
be a plant growth inhibitor, 1,2,3-Trithiane-5-carboxylic acid, which is
present in young shoots. [4]

What does asparagus have?

Asparagus officinalis fruit contains rich carotenoid pigments. And, they are
capsanthin, capsorubin, capsanthin 5,6-epoxide, antheraxanthin,
violaxanthin, neoxanthin, mutatoxanthin epimers, zeaxanthin, lutein,
beta-cryptoxanthin, beta-carotene, and some cis isomers were found. [6]
While, researchers found glucomannan at cell-wall of its seeds [10].
Glucomannan is believed to help prevent cholesterol absorption.

A Fresh asparagus contains various elements such as calcium (Ca),
magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) potassium (K) and phosphorus (P). [9]
Asparagus also contains chromium and nickel. The chromium content
showed a variable distribution throughout the white asparagus portions.
While the nickel content decreases as the spear portions are further and
further away from the apical area or tip of the white asparagus. [8]

ASPARAGUS BENEFITS

Anti-oxidant Activities

Boiling asparagus spears for 60 min caused overall flavonol losses of
43.9%. While, chopping of tissues did not considerably influence the
antioxidant capacity, but boiling did provoke notable changes. [3]

Anti-cancer Activities

Two oligofurostanosides were found from the seeds of Asparagus
officinalis L to be able to inhibit the growth of human leukemia HL-60 cells
in culture and macromolecular synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. The
inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis was found to be irreversible. [7]

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REFERENCES [1] Oketch-Rabah HA. Phytochemical Constituents of the
Genus Asparagus and their biological activities. Hamdard 1998;41:33-43.
[2] Rieker J et al, Type I and type IV sensitization to Asparagus officinalis
Hautarzt. 2004 Apr;55(4):397-8.  [3] Makris DP et al, Domestic processing
of onion bulbs (Allium cepa) and asparagus spears (Asparagus officinalis):
effect on flavonol content and antioxidant status. J Agric Food Chem. 2001
Jul;49(7):3216-22. [4] Rademaker M et al, Contact dermatitis to Asparagus
officinalis. Australas J Dermatol. 2000 Nov;41(4):262-3. [6] Deli J et al,
Carotenoid composition in the fruits of Asparagus officinalis. J Agric Food
Chem. 2000 Jul;48(7):2793-6. [7] Shao Y et al, Steroidal saponins from
Asparagus officinalis and their cytotoxic activity. Planta Med. 1997
Jun;63(3):258-62. [8] Amaro-Lopez MA et al, Study of chromium and nickel
content in white asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, L.). Nahrung. 1997
Apr;41(2):114-7. [9] Lopez MA et al, Mineral content modifications during
ripening of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, L.). Plant Foods Hum Nutr.
1996 Jan;49(1):13-26. [10]. Goldberg R Structural features of the cell-wall
polysaccharides of Asparagus officinalis seeds. Carbohydr Res. 1991 Mar
20;210:263-76.
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