What are asparagus benefits? Side effects? Is asparagus vegan? Gluten free? Acidic or alkaline? Low fodmap? Good for you? Healthy? Sustainable? Here is all the info on asparagus that every ethical consumer wants to know…
Food is something we consume every day and if you’re like me, you do all the research you can to make sure you don’t hurt yourself, the planet, animals or others when shopping. As an ethical consumer myself, I am giving you all the info I’ve found on asparagus benefits and side effects.
You are going to learn all about asparagus benefits and side effects. This will include asparagus benefits for your health and potential risks, asparagus water footprint and asparagus carbon footprint, asparagus sustainability, if asparagus is vegan or impact animals in other ways, and much more.
After learning if asparagus is good or bad for you, the environment, animals and human rights, you will be able to make the best choices you can the next time you buy food.
This post is all about asparagus benefits and side effects that every ethical consumer should know.
Asparagus Benefits and Side Effects
Health
Asparagus benefits for health may include:
- alleviated menstrual symptoms
- brain function
- better digestion
- increased libido
- less hangovers
- improved metabolism
- inflammation reduction
- urinary tract infections (UTI) prevention
- reduced depression
- regulated blood sugar
- regulation (natural laxative)
- rheumatism relief
- symptoms of epilepsy treatment
- better vision
- bone strengthening
- cancer prevention
- cardiovascular health
- lower cholesterol
- detoxification
- diabetes management
- heart disease prevention
- high blood pressure
- immune system
- nutrient absorption
- acne treatment and reduced acne scarring
- anti-aging
- hair health
- reduced bloating
- weight loss
Asparagus side effects may include:
- pesticide consumption if not organic
- do not over-consume, be sure to eat in moderation as with any food
- wash thoroughly before consuming to avoid harmful bacteria and parasites
Additionally, asparagus is…
- Alkaline 10.0 pH level (raw) once digested
- Alkaline 8.0 pH level (cooked) once digested
- Moderate Fodmap (suggested 3 spear limit per serving)
- Gluten Free
- Not a common Food Allergen
Environment
Water footprint: low, it takes 2,150 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of asparagus / 258 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of asparagus
Carbon footprint: low, 0.88 kg CO2e to produce 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of fresh asparagus, a car driving equivalent of 2.25 miles or 3.5 kilometers
Destruction: low, asparagus production is relatively sustainable, no significant damage to air, water, land, soil, forests, etc. as long as there are no pesticides, be sure to buy Non-GMO/organic, as toxic, chemical pesticides contaminate air, water, soil, etc.
Asparagus is…
Animals
Kills: none, asparagus production does not require any animals
Harms: none, asparagus production does not require any animals
Indirectly kills or harms: none, no animals are indirectly killed or harmed from asparagus production as long as there are no toxic chemicals, be sure to buy Non-GMO/organic, as pesticides harm and kill wildlife and ecosystems by contaminating soil, water, air and plants that animals eat
Asparagus is…
Laborers
Health and safety: varies, overall, agriculture continues to be one of the most dangerous industries, farmworkers may be subject to dehydration, heat stroke, unprotected exposure to harmful, toxic chemicals and pesticides, unsafe machinery and clean drinking water may not always accessible
Living conditions: varies, laborers often experience exploitation, they may face tough working conditions including long hours in the sun and heat performing physically exhausting tasks, labor laws and rights may or may not be in place, even if worker protection exists, employer violations may go unreported, refugees and migrant workers are especially vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment, fearing consequences of job loss or deportation
Wages: varies, generally farmworkers earn meager wages, there are many cases of underpaid agricultural workers, wage theft and no overtime payment or benefits
Asparagus…
- May have labor issues
China produces most of the world’s asparagus followed by Peru, Mexico, United States (leading states are California, Michigan, Washington).
The world’s top asparagus exporting country is Mexico, followed by Peru, USA, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Australia and Canada.
Yes! Asparagus is low in calories and a great source of nutrients, including fiber, folate and Vitamins A, C and K.
Asparagus uses include cooking, steaming, baking, roasting, sautéing, grilling, and more.
Is asparagus alkaline or acidic?
Asparagus is alkaline.
What is the pH level of asparagus?
Asparagus has a 10.0 pH level raw and 8.0 pH level cooked, once digested.
When you eat food, it breaks down to an ash residue that can be neutral, acidic or alkaline. Minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, silver, copper and iron produce an alkaline ash; whereas sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine and iodine, which are in meat, coffee, dairy and alcohol, leave an acid ash.
Going alkaline easier than ever with this: Acidic and Alkaline Foods List
Is asparagus low fodmap?
No, asparagus is moderate fodmap, a food you should limit to 3 spears per serving if on a low fodmap diet.
A low FODMAP diet may help those with bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
It’s all about knowing your body. Observe what works and what doesn’t. You body might even react negatively to a low-FODMAP food simply due to intolerance. Everyone is different! Be mindful and patient. Take time to get to know what’s best for your physical health and overall wellbeing.
Is asparagus gluten free?
Yes, asparagus is gluten free. Asparagus does not contain gluten. Asparagus is a type of vegetable, therefore making it a naturally gluten free food.
While celiac disease may not be as rampant as many marketing trends lead us to believe, you may have a gluten sensitivity…
Celiac and gluten sensitivity symptoms are similar and may include:
- recurring abdominal pain
- chronic diarrhea
- constipation
- tingling
- numbness in hands and feet
- chronic fatigue
- joint pain
- unexplained infertility
- low bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
There are hundreds of potential symptoms, many of which are also symptoms of other conditions.
Going gluten-free easier than ever with this: Gluten and Gluten Free Foods List
Is asparagus a common food allergen?
No, asparagus is not a common food allergen. Some people may experience allergic reactions to asparagus but it is relatively rare by comparison.
A group of the eight major allergenic foods, AKA the Big-8, include:
- milk
- eggs
- fish
- crustacean shellfish
- tree nuts
- peanuts
- wheat
- soybeans
Severe food allergies can be life threatening. Following ingestion of a food allergen, a person with food allergies can experience a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Persons may still be allergic to and have serious reactions to foods other than the eight foods identified by the law.
Be aware of common dietary restrictions and food allergens with this: The Big 8 Most Common Food Allergens List
Is asparagus low fodmap?
No. Asparagus is a high-FODMAP food so you should limit or eliminate it on a low-FODMAP diet.
A low FODMAP diet may help those with bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
It’s all about knowing your body. Observe what works and what doesn’t. You body might even react negatively to a low-FODMAP food simply due to intolerance. Everyone is different! Be mindful and patient. Take time to get to know what’s best for your physical health and overall wellbeing
See this High-FODMAP and Low-FODMAP List of Foods.
Water footprint of asparagus?
Asparagus has a relatively low water footprint compared to other foods.
What is the water footprint of asparagus?
It takes 2,150 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of asparagus / 258 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of asparagus.
Did you know that water is a finite, non-renewable resource?
How much water does it take to produce an apple? A serving of rice? A steak dinner?
Find out how much water your food consumes with this: Water Footprints of Foods and Ingredients List
Carbon footprint of asparagus?
Asparagus has a relatively low carbon footprint compared to other foods.
What is the carbon footprint of asparagus?
It takes around 0.88 kg CO2e to produce 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of asparagus, a car driving equivalent of 2.25 miles or 3.5 kilometers.
Food not only has a water footprint but also a carbon footprint, known as CO2e, which stands for carbon dioxide equivalent. Since carbon measurements are a bit more difficult to comprehend, it is common to equate CO2e to the distance which a car drives in miles or kilometers.
When calculating carbon emissions, some factors may include…
- farm equipment
- animal feed production
- hothouses (greenhouses)
- food processing
- packaging
- transport
- refrigeration
- freezing
- package waste and more
But that’s not all!
It’s best to keep the following in mind when grocery shopping:
- shopping locally reduces transportation emissions
- food without packaging reduces waste as well as the carbon footprint
- refrigerated and frozen foods increase carbon emissions
- seasonal foods reduce carbon emissions from hothouses (greenhouses)
- growing plant-based foods at home is the most environmentally sustainable method with zero carbon footprint
Find out how much carbon your food emits with this: Carbon Footprints of Foods and Ingredients List
Is asparagus sustainable?
Asparagus production is relatively sustainable since there is no significant damage to air, water, land, soil, forests, etc. Be sure to buy non GMO/organic, as toxic, chemical pesticides contaminate air, water, soil, etc. when using regenerative practices.
Consuming animal products and byproducts is not environmentally friendly and is one of the worst things for the Earth. Not only is meat production wasteful, it causes enormous amounts of pollution. The industry is one of the biggest causes of climate change.
Read more about ‘What Makes Food Sustainable Or Unsustainable?’
Is asparagus vegan?
Yes, asparagus is vegan. Asparagus is a vegetable and not an animal product or byproduct, therefore making it a vegan food.
Animals of factory farming are suffering. They live in horrific conditions that often include confinement, physical abuse and unnatural environments…so much so that they need to receive antibiotics to keep from getting ill or spreading disease. Growth hormones allow all kinds of animals to become fatter faster and live short lives.
Go vegan for animals!
It’s the best way to help animals and it’s not as difficult as you may think. Speak for animals with your actions, for they cannot speak at all.
Going vegan is easier than ever, at a glance with this: Vegan and Non-Vegan Foods List
Does asparagus have human rights issues?
At this time there are no major concerns with asparagus production but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening! It’s important to stay aware of human rights concerns and worker exploitation that may come with specific brands.
Did you know the single largest employer in the world is agriculture? The labor involved behind each and every product cannot go unrecognized.
Workers can experience harassment, humiliation and violence and unfair employers often fail to provide laborers with access to shade, drinking water, restrooms and breaks. Consequently, laborers can face nausea, dizziness, heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat stroke -the leading cause of farmworker death!
Such mistreatment is like modern day slavery. Workers are often afraid to report issues because they fear it will result in losing their jobs or deportation.
Fair trade organizations fight to ensure better social, environmental and economic standards.
We can improve people’s lives with foods we eat every day simply by buying products that are certified fair trade.
Be sure to read up on this list of ‘Foods You Should Always Buy Fair Trade‘
This post was all about asparagus benefits and side effects.
Sources:
Asparagus, raw – FoodData Central
Asparagus | Food and Nutrition Information Center | NAL | USDA
Province of British Columbia – Government of B.C.
