Asparagus has long been known to be good for women’s reproductive health, but it turns out that the vegetable may have some benefits for men as well! Whether you are trying to get pregnant or looking to improve your fertility, eating more asparagus may be just what you need. If you’re wondering what asparagus benefits for men are, here are 10 of the most popular health benefits that can help make your sperm healthier and happier in the bedroom.
Asparagus Benefits for Men
Who knew a vegetable could have so many health benefits? Research has shown that asparagus contains vitamins A, C, E, and K. It’s also loaded with folic acid—great for keeping those sperm healthy. And it’s an excellent source of vitamin B6, which aids in cellular growth. What else can you expect from a handful of stalks? Here are 10 asparagus benefits for men First, let’s talk about how to eat asparagus. Raw is best (and go easy on the salt), but if you prefer your veggies cooked, steam or roast them until they reach desired tenderness (test by piercing with a fork). If you want to get even more bang for your buck, add some olive oil and garlic to your cooking process. This will maximize its nutrient absorption while adding even more nutritional value to your meal.
1) Improves sperm health
Believe it or not, asparagus is a great way to increase sperm health. In one study of just over 1,000 men published in Fertility & Sterility, participants who ate more than 3 servings of asparagus each week showed significant improvements in semen volume and sperm count compared to those who consumed less than 1 serving per week. So why are asparagus spears so good for sperm? One theory is that asparagus contains high levels of folate, which helps produce healthy sperm cells. And don’t worry—you don’t have to eat pounds of asparagus every day to reap these benefits; just make sure you get your daily recommended intake (400 mcg) from other sources like fortified cereals and whole grains.
2) Boosts testosterone levels
Women don’t have to worry about testosterone levels when it comes to eating asparagus; for men, however, it could be a different story. That’s because studies have shown that asparagus can boost testosterone levels in men by nearly 40 percent—and two servings per day is all you need to reap those benefits. Whether you’re looking to maximize your bodybuilding potential or just want to boost your stamina in bed (hey, why not both?), adding more asparagus to your diet may just help give you an edge. Just make sure you’re buying fresh asparagus instead of canned; cooking with fresh asparagus will also increase its potency.
3) Lower your risk of prostate cancer
According to The University of Maryland Medical Center, some studies have shown that eating asparagus may reduce your risk of prostate cancer. In a study conducted at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 2011, men who consumed more than 3.5 servings of cooked asparagus per week had a 41 percent lower risk of prostate cancer than those who only ate asparagus once a month or less. Other research has found similar results. This could be due to asparagus’ high levels of folate, which is thought to prevent abnormal cell growth in both healthy cells and cancerous ones.
4) Improve blood circulation in your body
Asparagus is an excellent source of folate and a good source of vitamins K and A. These three vitamins all help to improve blood circulation in your body by enhancing cardiovascular health. While more research is needed on how much asparagus you would need to eat to see these benefits, it’s likely that one or two servings of asparagus per week could be enough to have a positive impact on your cardiovascular system. In addition, eating asparagus could also lower your risk for erectile dysfunction. Eating 2-3 servings per week may help reduce cholesterol levels; ultimately improving heart health further still.
5) Prevent bone loss
Did you know that as men age, they are at a greater risk of suffering from bone loss? Studies have shown that a deficiency in vitamin D can increase bone loss. Vitamin D is naturally found in very few foods including some fatty fish and foods that are fortified with vitamin D such as milk or orange juice. Vitamin D can also be synthesized by exposing skin to sunlight. The best way to protect against bone loss is to eat foods high in calcium like dairy products (milk and cheese) along with eating leafy green vegetables like asparagus.
6) Helps lower blood pressure
One of the asparagus’ most well-known benefits is that it can lower blood pressure. Just one cup of steamed asparagus contains about 5 milligrams of vitamin C, almost 200 milligrams of potassium, and 3 grams of fiber. Potassium helps relax blood vessels while dietary fiber improves digestive health and can help with weight loss. The vitamins in asparagus are also said to protect your heart and cardiovascular system. Plus, if you’re looking for a way to boost fertility in men or increase sperm production in women, you could do worse than eating more asparagus—studies show it may be able to improve both male and female fertility. It’s even believed that improved sperm quality could lead to better IVF success rates.
7) May prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Most people find asparagus to be easy to cook with—it’s usually prepared in one of two ways. The first is blanching (aka poaching): Simply place asparagus in a pot of boiling water for about three minutes. Once cooked, you can add it to stir-fry or other dishes that call for sautéed vegetables. The second way is roasting: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake trimmed spears for 15 minutes before adding them to any meals that require roasted veggies. Baking asparagus gives it a nice crispy texture; just be sure not to overdo it or you’ll end up with burnt or rubbery spears rather than tasty treats!
8) Keep bones strong with this vegetable
If you’ve never tried cooking with asparagus before, now is a great time to start. This healthy green veggie is not only delicious but also easy to cook with or add to other foods. The following recipes are just a few of the many ways that asparagus can be used. If you’re looking for more ideas on how to cook asparagus yourself, simply head over to Google; there are plenty of interesting recipes available online. Now it’s time for your family to take advantage of all these great benefits!
9) Easy to cook with or add to other foods
Being an easy-to-eat vegetable, asparagus can be prepared in a variety of ways. These include boiling (typically from 1–3 minutes depending on thickness), steaming (2–4 minutes), grilling (6–8 minutes), roasting, sautéing (1-2 minutes), or stir-frying. Thin asparagus stalks may also be eaten raw by rolling them between the fingers to remove their skin. Also, consider asparagus’s versatility with other foods. It’s often added to frittatas or omelets or wrapped around fish or poultry during cooking. You can even use it as a substitute for celery in dips and spreads!
10) Full of antioxidants
Antioxidants in asparagus help fight free radicals that can cause damage to sperm. (Sounds like a good excuse to make it for dinner tonight!) By helping maintain healthy sperm count and quality, antioxidant-rich foods may also increase fertility. One research study found that men who ate at least five servings of vegetables each day had higher counts of semen compared to those who ate fewer servings or none at all. Adding more asparagus to your diet can help you reap these rewards.
Asparagus benefits skin
The abundant antioxidants in asparagus benefit your skin in a variety of ways. These nutrients protect your skin from sun damage, reduce inflammation around your eyes that can lead to dark circles and puffiness, and increase collagen production, which fights wrinkles and slows down signs of aging like sagging skin. The benefits of male fertility include improving testosterone levels so that you can support a healthy reproductive system. One study published in BJU International found eating more fruits and vegetables helped men produce higher-quality sperm. The same research also found that men who ate more antioxidant-rich foods had better sperm counts than those who consumed less vitamin-packed foods.
