A superstar veggie, asparagus is non-starchy and packed with fiber and nutrients, and is considered a prebiotic, which means it helps your good gut bacteria flourish by feeding it. And findings from the Institute of Food Technologists indicate that its leaves contain certain amino acids and minerals that make hangovers less terrible.
“These results provide evidence of how the biological functions of asparagus can help alleviate alcohol hangover and protect liver cells,” explains B.Y. Kim, lead researcher of the study. The researchers also discovered that asparagus can help increase levels of enzymes that assist your body in metabolizing alcohol.
While a different, animal-based study published in Toxicology Reports showed similar findings where asparagus proved to be effective at protecting liver and kidney tissues from toxin damage. Though this research was conducted on rats, it has positive implications for humans.
So, next time you plan to imbibe, it’s not a bad idea to eat some asparagus as part of your meal beforehand. It’s a low-maintenance vegetable that’s easy to prepare, and there are many ways to enjoy it—like in this summer soup recipe or this roasted asparagus and chicken wrap. And though there isn’t definitive proof that asparagus prevents hangovers, it’s nevertheless a nutrient-rich veggie that deserves a place on your plate.
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