Nutritional values

The calorie count is low: 24 kcal per 100g of fresh product, as it contains little protein, fat or sugar.

When fresh it contains 93% water, 3% protein, 0.2% fat, 2.5% sugar, 1.2% fibre, 250mg/100g potassium, 60mg/100g phosphorus, 1.2mg/100g iron, 25mg/100g calcium.

It also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, PP, C., amino acids such as asparagine (0.04%) and arginine, a rutoside and tannin. There are also traces of fluorine and saponin.

Asparagusisconsidered anexcellentdetox product anddiuretic,and helpscleanse liverandkidneys. It also aidsdigestionas it is richinlongfibre. Itis an excellent support for counteractingphysicalandmentalfatigue, demineralizationprocesses and palpitations. Asparagusisthereforea particularly suitable food indiets for losing weight as long as fatty condimentsare used sparingly.Younger, tender asparagus can be thinly sliced and eatenraw if it has been recently picked.

To safeguardthevitamincontent andpreservethe vegetable’s texture, theasparagusshould be boiledin a littlewateror,better still, steamed.

However, it is bestavoidedby anyone who suffers from metabolicdisorderslike cystitis, bladder andkidney stones, andliver complaints. Someauthors also suggest asparagus should not be consumed by those with acutearticularrheumatism, goutandhyperuricaemia, as it may contribute to exacerbating existing inflammatory processes.