Every time I go to the market, I try to load up on fresh seasonal vegetables – especially, avocado, spinach, kale and celery, which I use to make green smoothies. Unfortunately, since we are all creatures of habit, we often walk right past the vegetables that we aren’t used to and this is definitely true in my case. So, this week, I decided to research a few vegetables that are filled with goodness that I might be missing. Right at the top of the list was asparagus.

According to Eating Well, asparagus is a powerhouse of nutrients and vitamins. They also list several yummy recipes that include Asparagus. But, why is asparagus good for you really? Here are a few of the benefits that I discovered along with an unusual tip for getting the most from this vegetable.

Why is Asparagus Good for You?

First of all, asparagus is a great source of fiber and Vitamins A, C. E and K. It also contains a magical mineral called chromium, which helps insulin move sugar from the blood into our cells. It also has detoxifying elements that may help to protect against all kinds of different cancers. One thing of interest to the Sixty and Me community is that it also has a high percentage of antioxidants that might help to slow the aging process.

If that wasn’t enough, asparagus also has a high level of vitamin B12, which research by Oxford University has shown to help with brain health. This is important for older women, since research at Linus Pauling Institute shows that the ability to absorb Vitamin B12 from foods go down as you get older.

Asparagus is also easy to prepare. You can just pop the stalks in boiling water, although it is probably better to roast or stir fry them to get most nutritional benefit. I would suggest that you avoid adding salt or butter to asparagus, because may defeat its diuretic power.

Why not add this beautiful, elegant and healthy vegetable to your summer recipes?

So, what do you think? Is asparagus good for you? What is your favorite way to cook asparagus? Do you enjoy other green veggies that make you feel healthy and strong? Please leave your feedback in the comments section below.