Today ends my fast and as I was pondering what would be my first meal, asparagus sounded amazing (besides the steak I intend to eat). I love all vegetables, but asparagus has been on sale lately and I love me some asparagus, so that is the food of the day. It’s green, it’s a vegetable there for its kind of a no-brainer that it has some health benefits. Great for inflammation:

• Saponins is the big word here, and there are a breakdown further of all the ones in asparagus, but I like to keep things simple so just remember this word. Basically they link these with being: anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, improved blood pressure, improved blood sugar regulation, and better control of blood fat levels.
• It contains an array of other anti-inflammatory nutrients: vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E, zinc, manganese, selenium, and antioxidant glutathione (GSH)

Next biggy for asparagus is digestive health. Asparagus is a good source of inulin, a type of carbohydrate that digests differently. It is considered a prebiotic as it is not broken down in the first part of the digestive system, but waits until it reaches the large intestine. Once it arrives to party it up in the large intestine, it is perfect for bacteria that are great for nutrient absorption, lowering allergy risk and colon cancer risk. Wow, inulin, you go! We’ve covered probiotics, now you get to see the benefits of prebiotics. Asparagus has got some other nutrients too:

• fiber
• excellent source of folic acid and B1
• very good source of B2,3, and 6
• also contains choline, biotin, and pantothenic acid

See what knowledge can do, I am going to feel so much better chowing down on my asparagus dripping in goat’s milk butter now that I know what all its doing. Its empowering to know that your nourishing yourself!