Can You Eat Raw Asparagus?
This article explains if you can eat raw asparagus and presents some of the pros and cons of eating it both raw and cooked
Can be enjoyed raw.
While many people believe that you need to cook asparagus before eating it, that’s not the case.
In fact, it can be a nutritious addition to your diet without cooking it at all.UFABET
That said, cooking asparagus softens its otherwise tough plant fibers, making the vegetable easier to chew and digest.
However, with the right preparation, raw asparagus can be easy to chew and just as tasty as any cooked version.
First, remove the woody ends of the spears — just as you would if you were preparing to cook them.
At this point, you could bite directly into them. But the experience is not likely to be pleasurable.
Instead, use a vegetable peeler, grater, or sharp knife to cut or shred the spears into fine pieces. The thinner the pieces, the easier they’ll be to chew.
You may also consider tossing the pieces in a simple dressing of olive oil. And lemon juice or vinegar to tenderize the tougher parts of the stalk. Doing so is likewise a great way to add a dash of flavor.
Cooked asparagus may boast more antioxidants.
A softer texture might not be the only advantage to cooking asparagus.
Asparagus boasts a rich supply of chemical compounds known as polyphenols, which are well known for their potent antioxidant capacities.
Research suggests that a diet rich in polyphenols may help reduce stress, inflammation, and the risk of several diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
One study found that cooking green asparagus increased its total antioxidant activity by 16%. Specifically, it boosted its content of
beta carotene and quercetin — two powerful antioxidants — by 24% and 98%, respectively (4).Another study found that the antioxidant activity of cooked white asparagus was nearly three times higher than that of the raw version