BENEFICIAL During asparagus season, I often notice that my urinary pH registers acid, a pH of 5.5. The reason for this is that asparagus is such a potent alkalizer, eliminating much of the old residual acids, that is the one time I experience acidic pH joyfully because I know it is ridding my body of stored acids and converting them to a cleansed alkaline. This will happen even if I take special care to drink extra fluid. A few drops of nettle extract in a cup of hot water will hasten this process converting my urinary pH to alkaline. With the first new growth of spring. I often pluck off a piece of asparagus eating it raw straight from the garden.- deliciously sweet.

The formation of uric acid crystals are linked to the kidneys. A safe kidney flush and spleen booster is to have a bowl of fresh asparagus. Because of the ability of asparagus to provide this flush effect, for many years asparagus was believed to be acid producing. It is now known that this seemingly production of acids is caused from the cleansing properties and that asparagus has indeed a super beneficial alkaline effect.

In Germany when white asparagus is in season it is the star offering on restaurant menus all of the country. Ordering an entire meal of tasty white asparagus, diners happily eat a pound or more at one sitting. An added plus is that asparagus lowers uric acid, known to be high in Polycystic Kidney Disease. Nettles also lowers uric acid Asparagus is alkaline producing though it will make the urine acidic. When eating asparagus, I often notice that my urinary pH registers acid, a pH of 5.5. Asparagus is high in phosphorus and potassium. Oftentimes I would snap off a stalk on my morning walks, nibbling the sweet tidbit.

For a long time asparagus was thought of as an acidic vegetable. Kindly make a note, my urinary pH does drop to about 5.5 while eating asparagus. This happens consistently even when I dutifully drink 2-3 liters of water daily. This comes about by asparagus releasing long standing old acids from within the system. This is a case when urinary acidity is good thing. Asparagus is such a potent alkalizer, eliminating much of the old residual acids, that it is one time when I experience a urinary acid pH joyfully because I know it is riding my body of old stored toxins and converting them to a cleansed alkaline state. My urinary pH will consistently correct itself and come right around to 6.5, 7.0, 7.5 once asparagus season has stopped. A few drops of nettle extract in a cup of hot water will hasten this process converting my urinary pH immediately to alkaline. Nettle is high in potassium. If you have a history of kidney stones, you may want to consumeonly small quantities as asparagus has some low oxalates. Asparagus also contains purine compounds that promote gout and can elevate uric acid levels. However an old study concluded that eating asparagus had no effect on future kidney stone formation.

What is the growing season for asparagus? In Michigan, asparagus is harvested for a six - seven week period from late April or early May through mid to late June.

Why does my urine smell funny after consuming asparagus? Most authorities feel that the compound that causes the odor in urine after consumption of asparagus is methylmercaptan, which is a sulfur-containing derivative of the amino acid, methionine. This is disputed by a few individuals who claim that the odiferous compound is asparagine-amino-succinic-acid monoamide, which is derived from the amino acid, asparagine. In either case, the product is formed as a derivative during the digestion and subsequent breakdown of beneficial amino acids that occur naturally in asparagus. Ref: Merck Index, 862; Food Chemistry, Belitz and Grosch, pg. 271.

What are the nutritional benefits of asparagus? A 5.3 ounce serving (approximately 5 spears) has only 20 calories, 0 fat or cholesterol, 5 milligrams of sodium, 400 milligrams of potassium, 3 grams of fiber, 60% of the USRDA of folacin, and are excellent sources of thiamin and vitamin B6.

Where does asparagus grow? Asparagus grows best in sandy, well-drained soil. In Michigan, most of the commercial acreage is on the west-central part of the state around Hart and Shelby in Oceana County, near Lake Michigan. Only the states of California and Washington produce more asparagus than Michigan.

What do I do with the fern growth after I am done harvesting asparagus? Do not cut it down until the fall when it has turned all brown. The fern is what feeds the crown nutrients so that it will produce spears again in the spring.

Is there some history about asparagus? Asparagus is a well known diuretic. It is also taken ( in France) as a plant that is both good for the skin and rheumatism. The Japanese eat the most of it in the world. Perhaps because it is also associated with having aphrodisiac properties. Asparagus is an associated aphrodisiac so much so that the high priests in Egypt were forbidden to eat it. At one time only royalty was allowed to consume asparagus for this very reason. In France, people from the Charente Maritime, seem to live very long lives. They are known for eating loads of asparagus. I am discovering that there seems to be a lot of accumulated wisdom behind these ancient foods with common folk lore stories attached to the food. Great Britain grows the most asparagus of anywhere in the world.
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