The Remarkable Health Advantages of Eating Asparagus

5. Lower Blood Pressure

Over 1.3 billion people in the world have high blood pressure and it is one of the primary risk factors for heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association recommends increasing potassium and reducing salt intake to manage blood pressure. Potassium is effective because it both relaxes the walls of blood vessels and helps remove excess salt through urine. A half-cup of asparagus contains around 6% RDI of potassium, meaning it can contribute to lowering blood pressure. A 2013 study of asparagus' effects on rats found that rats who ate asparagus had lower blood pressure than the control group.