Try adding shredded, raw asparagus to pasta dishes and salads. Alternatively, enjoy the spears lightly steamed or sautéed in a frittata, or as a stand-alone side dish. Asparagus is a nutritious choice, regardless of whether it's cooked or raw. Try eating a combination of the two for maximum health benefits.

And, thanks to its ability to break down toxins in the liver, asparagus even works as an excellent hangover remedy, reducing alcohol toxicity by increasing liver enzymes and encouraging healthy liver function.

It is an excellent source of vitamin K and folate, and a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, and thiamin. Vitamin K is important in blood clotting and bone building.

Moreover, if there is a family history of allergies, you need to pay attention to avoid cross-reactivity. In raw asparagus can produce about 6 compounds that cause allergic problems for the body. When you have an allergy, it affects your skin, throat, nose or lungs.

Asparagus contains glutathione, a well-known antioxidant that promotes detoxification. It is also a good source of fiber, folate, iron, and vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as being beneficial to those with high blood pressure. Asparagus is also known to help the kidney and bladder cleanse itself.

Fill in some textNot only is asparagus low in fat and calories (one cup is 32 calories), but it also contains lots of fiber. According to a 2020 review published in the journal Metabolites, this makes asparagus a good choice if you're trying to lose weight.

Not many of us associate asparagus with bladder and kidney health. Surprisingly however, asparagus is known for preventing stones in the kidney and bladder. It also prevents anaemia due to folic acid deficiency. Asparagus can also help defeat urinary tract infections and eliminate constipation.

Asparagus is used along with lots of fluids as “irrigation therapy” to increase urine output. It is also used to treat urinary tract infections and other conditions of the urinary tract that cause pain and swelling.

Fight disease. Asparagus is high in vitamin A, folic acid and dietary fibre, which are all thought to play a vital role in fighting cancer. Asparagus also contains high levels of potassium, which may help control blood pressure, and is rich in rutin and iron which boost the body's immune system.

Regular consumption of asparagus will help to keep your skin hydrated, thanks to the high water content in asparagus. It will also help to prevent glycation, which is the process in our bodies that damages collagen and ultimately leads to those unwanted signs of skin aging.

Five asparagus spears or 80g of asparagus counts as one portion towards your five-a-day. Read our five-a-day infographic and discover cheap ways to reach your five-a-day.

When asparagus is digested, asparagusic acid gets broken down into sulfur-containing byproducts. Sulfur, in general, is not very pleasant to smell, notes Dr. Bobart. When you pee, the sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to smell that unpleasant scent.