Asparagus is one of the most liked vegetables because of its distinct vegetal taste. You can make stew, soup, and salad from this vegetable.
In addition, people love to add it to bacon wrap and pasta to give an assertive smell and taste. But is Asparagus even nutritious? Health Experts often discuss the potassium level in it, and you should also know about it if you are an Asparagus lover.
So, is Asparagus high in potassium or not?
No, it is not. The potassium content in Asparagus is low, so if you are looking for a potassium-rich vegetable, Asparagus is not for you. However, if you are sensitive to potassium and have any kidney disease, then go for this vegetable.
Want to know how much potassium is there and what health benefits you can enjoy after eating this vegetable? Then stay with me till the end.
Table of Content
How Much Potassium is in Asparagus
Nutritionists have drawn the line that those foods that have potassium content of less than 300 mg are considered low-potassium foods.
One bowl of raw Asparagus contains around 200 mg of potassium. The potassium in a single asparagus spear is 7mg. That is why experts call it a low-potassium vegetable.
Want to know the level of potassium in cooked Asparagus?
Whether you boil it or fry it, the potassium content remains more or less the same (200 mg/bowl). Heating this vegetable does not cause any considerable level of change when it comes to minerals.
But that’s about cooked asparagus nutrition. What about canning?
Is Canned Asparagus High in Potassium
People also ask, is canned Asparagus as healthy as fresh? And the answer is conditional.
If you eat canned Asparagus once in a while, then it won’t cause any harm.
However, regular eating can lead to health problems. The reason is the high sodium and potassium content in it. Frequent consumption of canned Asparagus can cause high blood pressure.
Moreover, the potassium content is more than the raw or cooked Asparagus.
A single serving of canned Asparagus contains more than 400mg of potassium (double than raw or cooked form). Thus, your kidneys have to do lots of work to deal with this mineral.
In addition, if you have a kidney problem, then eating canned asparagus frequently can lead to the accumulation of potassium in the body, causing Hyperkalemia.
The symptoms of this disease are:
- Nausea
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness
- Chest pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Abnormal heartbeat
Thus, if you have kidney disease, then eat only raw or cooked Asparagus.
Is Asparagus Soup High in Potassium
Yes, asparagus soup is also high in potassium. It is generally made from a store-bought cream of Asparagus, which contains around 850 mg of potassium.
Homemade Asparagus soup does not contain this much potassium.
The recipe for homemade asparagus soup is:
- Melt the butter in the pan, add garlic after a minute and then put the asparagus pieces on it.
- After that, sprinkle some salt and pepper, and let the cooking continue for five more minutes.
- Next, it is time to add broth. Simmer it and cook it for 15 more minutes.
- Lastly, use the blender to make it creamy. If you want, you can add more cream in this step.
That’s it. Your homemade low-potassium asparagus soup is ready.
Now, let us discuss some health benefits of Asparagus.
Is Asparagus Healthy For You: Possible Beneficial Effects
Asparagus is considered a nutritionally balanced vegetable due to the proper levels of nutrients in it.
Want to know what nutrients Asparagus has?
Asparagus contains Vitamin K, folic acid, protein, fiber, and antioxidants. These vital nutrients are like a blessing. How? It is described later!
The asparagus protein amount in one bowl is 4 grams. Similarly, 4.5 grams of fiber is present in the same bowl. You already know that 200mg of potassium is present in a bowl. So, it is considered a pretty stable and well-balanced vegetable.
Now, let us address why Asparagus is a blessing alongside some important health questions related to it.
Are Asparagus Good For Kidneys
Yes, it is. The potassium content is low in Asparagus, so your kidneys are not burdened much. Plus, this vegetable also cleans the urinary tract and helps the kidneys flush out the excess nutrients and harmful substances.
Similarly, another question we get is, Can dialysis patients eat Asparagus?
Yes, dialysis patients can eat Asparagus. In fact, it can keep many problems at bay.
For example, dialysis patients often suffer from constipation. They can now breathe a sigh of relief as the fiber content in Asparagus can get rid of constipation and improves bowel movement.
Does Asparagus Help With Weight Loss
Yes, Asparagus can make you slimmer.
First, it is low in calorie content, so it cannot become the reason for obesity. Furthermore, it is rich in fiber content that is known to cause weight loss.
Similarly, the water content is high in this vegetable. This keeps you hydrated and also helps with the metabolism process. As a result, extra calories are burned and converted into energy.
Is Asparagus Healthy During Pregnancy
Asparagus contains folate, which is crucial for a safe baby’s development in the womb.
It is responsible for the production of red blood cells and DNA formation. Thus, pregnant ladies should add this and some other leafy vegetables to their diet plans.
But have you ever wondered what happens if you eat too much Asparagus?
Is Too Much Asparagus Bad
Eating too much of any food is bad, and Asparagus is also not an exception. However, no serious trouble can be caused due to this.
Eating too much Asparagus can cause smelly urine and discomforting nighttime bloating.
Moreover, if an asparagus-allergic person eats this vegetable, he might face stomach cramps, throat itching, difficulty in swallowing food, and chest pain.
FAQs
Which vegetables are low in potassium?
In addition to Asparagus, the vegetables low in potassium are Alfalfa sprouts, carrot, corn, cauliflower, celery, etc. If you are potassium sensitive or have any kidney problems, then eat only these low-potassium vegetables.
Is Asparagus acidic?
The pH level of Asparagus is between 6 to 7, so it is considered slightly acidic. However, this acidity does not cause any harm to the body. Only those foods that have a pH less than 4.6 cause a rise in stomach acid levels and lead to GERD.
Is Asparagus good for dogs?
Yes, Asparagus is good for your dog. This vegetable’s nutrients (especially folate) can improve your dog’s health. But don’t give raw spears to your pets as they might choke on them. Only give cooked or bite-sized pieces of Asparagus.
Final Verdict
Is Asparagus high in potassium?
Long story short, no. A bowl of Asparagus contains around 200 mg of potassium. Vegetables that have less than 300 mg of this mineral are considered low potassium.
Hence, if you want to eat high potassium foods, then Asparagus is not suitable for you.
But if you are potassium sensitive or have any kidney problems, then Asparagus is perfect for you. This vegetable clears out the urinary tract and helps the kidneys to keep performing their function.
In addition, you can lose weight, have a healthy pregnancy period, and enjoy other health benefits if you keep eating this vegetable.
