Asparagus: an aquaretic, a prebiotic, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory plant

Question
QUESTION: Doctor Oz seems to speak very warmly about asparagus. Is it really that great? I personally hate the flavor and would eat just about anything else. Also some people will say that when someone's urine smells like asparagus after they've eatten it, that means their body is ridding itself of toxins because of it. How true is that?

ANSWER: Dear James,

I am not quite aware of the reason(s) by which Dr Oz is asparagus fan, however, there is indeed information about its health benefits. Let's talk, for example, about the trademarked supplement consisting of dried asparagus and parsley called Asparagus-P.

The content of flavonoids in asparagus roots  and parsley leaves posess aquaretic effect. Unlike diuretics, aquaretic remove only water, not electrolytes, which is much better for the body. Both ingredients of Asparagus-P have antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.

Asparagus is considered a good source of prebiotics -- non-digestible carbohydrates that stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Sources of prebiotics include fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin, found in onions, asparagus, chicory, and banana.

Read more:

Prebiotics
http://atkinszone-did-you-know.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-prebiotics-work.html

Nutrients in asparagus
http://atkinszone-recipes.blogspot.com/2010/07/asparagus-calories-fats-carbs-pro


Source:
Peter C. Dartsch. Effect of Asparagus-P?on Cell Metabolism of Cultured Kidney and Inflammation-mediating Cells. PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH Phytother. Res. 22, 1477?481 (2008)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Is there another vegetable that will do most of the same things or better?

Answer
Examples of:

- aquaretic - stinging nettle, goldenrod, parsley, juniper, birch leaves, bearberry
- prebiotic - burdock root, dandelion root, elecampane root and chicory root, onions, and banana
- Antioxidants:
http://agelessbrain.com/category/brain-metabolism/oxidative-damage/antioxidants/

1. Prev:sodium intake
2. Next:Creatine