Asparagus: friends of the heart, of the skin and allies in the swimsuit test, the immunologist explains why

Already known by the ancient Egyptians, these vegetables are a good source of folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin K and natural antioxidants. They also have a diuretic effect useful for those who want to detox naturally.

Tasty, perfect dish both on elegant and refined tables and for home meals. Friend of the heart and skin but also ally of the swimsuit test. There are many good qualities of asparagus, a typical spring vegetable belonging to the liliaceae family, to which an episode of 'Il Gusto della Salute' is dedicated, a video column curated by the immunologist Mauro Minelli that delves into the characteristics of the foods that make up our daily diet.

"The first to bring it to the table - Minelli begins - were the Egyptians and the Romans, who appreciated asparagus not only for its taste but also for its 'medicinal' virtues. Cato and Pliny already spoke of it in their writings. Then, in the Renaissance, it became the protagonist of aristocratic banquets. Today, it is a witness to spring, celebrated from North to South with festivals and traditional dishes. It is characterized, in fact, by its versatility in the kitchen: excellent in an omelette or with fried eggs, perfect for a creamy risotto, delicious raw in a salad, tasty grilled or steamed, seasoned with oil and lemon and also in savory pies, cream soups or gourmet first courses. Asparagus is light, rich in fiber, water and has very few calories, perfect for those seeking lightness".

Asparagus, continues Minelli, is "a good source of folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin K and natural antioxidants, precious for our general well-being. It also has a diuretic effect, which makes it an ally for those who want to purify themselves naturally. Those who suffer from gout, however, will do well to consume it sparingly due to its high purine content which can cause an increase in uric acid in the blood. Among other things, asparagus has the disadvantage of giving urine a pungent odor due to the aspartic acid and sulfur groups it contains but which do not lead to any specific contraindication other than olfactory".