Contents
Uses
Herbal textbooks from the past reveal that asparagus has been used to treat a variety of unrelated ailments including toothache, cancer, parasites, and rheumatism. Traditional Chinese medicine used asparagus root to treat cough, dry mouth and throat, and constipation.
Benefits
1) High Cholesterol
A number of studies indicate that asparagus extract may help reduce levels of harmful blood fats that contribute to heart disease, such as LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. In a study published in Phytotherapy Research in 2011, for example, researchers gave asparagus extract to a group of mice on a high-fat diet.
After eight weeks of treatment, the mice showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, as well as an increase in HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
The study focused on n-butanol, a substance found in asparagus extract. N-butanol appears to possess antioxidant properties.
2) Diabetes
Asparagus extract may help fight diabetes, according to a 2012 study from the British Journal of Nutrition. In tests on rats with diabetes, scientists found that asparagus extract helped regulate blood sugar levels, improve insulin secretion, and boost antioxidant status.
3) Hangovers
Asparagus extract may help alleviate alcohol-induced hangovers and shield liver cells from the toxic effects of alcohol consumption, suggests a preliminary study published in the Journal of Food Science in 2009. For the study, researchers tested the effects of extracts of asparagus shoots and leaves on human liver cells. Their findings indicate that asparagus extract may help rev up activity in enzymes involved in breaking down alcohol.
Cautions
Although asparagus is safe when consumed as a food, little is known about the safety of long-term or regular use of supplements containing asparagus extract. However, there’s some concern that taking asparagus extract in combination with lithium may have harmful effects.
Keep in mind that supplements haven’t been tested for safety and dietary supplements are largely unregulated. In some cases, the product may deliver doses that differ from the specified amount for each herb. In other cases, the product may be contaminated with other substances such as metals. Also, the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established.
Interactions
None known.
Other names
n/a
References
Source: Veryweel.com, https://www.verywell.com/the-benefits-of-asparagus-extract-88610
Wholehealthchicago, http://wholehealthchicago.com/2009/06/06/asparagus-root/