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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