According to the study published on the Journal of Food Science, buds and asparagus roots are capable of increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the liver such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase and Superoxide dismutase - key enzymes in detoxification and protection of liver cells from lesions from free radicals.
One of the ways to process asparagus helps maximize the use of liver detoxification that housewives should take advantage of steaming or frying lightly with olive oil.
This is because antioxidants like glutathione - a high content of asparagus - are easily lost if cooked too long or at high temperatures. Therefore, when processing, only steamed asparagus for about 3-5 minutes or fry quickly on medium heat. This is the optimal processing to retain beneficial biological active ingredients.
Asparagus contains many folate and inulin - two compounds that support the activity of the digestive system and enhance the ability to eliminate toxins through the liver. The World Health Organization has also recommended to increase folate and fiber greens like asparagus in a diet to protect the liver function, especially in people with high risk of fatty liver disease, hepatitis or frequent exposure to toxins.
Asparagus is a natural food that can support liver detoxification if properly processed. Steaming or frying is a method to help preserve optimal nutrients, thereby helping the liver to enhance the ability to filter toxicity and protect the body from lesions caused by chemicals or alcohol.