Asparagus – it’s less a vegetable, more of a health food…

Hargreaves Plants of Spalding, UK, market leaders in asparagus plant products, has to come to the conclusion that asparagus should no longer be considered as an ordinary, or even a premium vegetable, but more as an important health food. This is the result of a worldwide search into current and previous work on the health benefits offered by asparagus.

A number of studies have been carried out by eminent food experts in this field. According to Jamie Petchell, the company’s asparagus specialist, work in New Zealand has shown that purple asparagus offers the highest levels of antioxidant activity. He stated, “The results from this trial show vast differences between the broad range of asparagus types. Canned asparagus had by far the lowest levels of activity, whereas green asparagus was rated higher than white, and Pacific Purple topped the poll, with levels 11% above green types. There were even significant differences between green cultivars; Jersey Giant showed up as the top green variety, ahead of the imported industry standard, UC157.”

All of the work agrees that the highest levels of antioxidant activity are to be found in the tip of the spear and that thinner spears have more activity than thicker types.

Research has also shown that the most prevalent health improving product to be found in asparagus is Rutin. The important aspects of Rutin relate to the improvement of circulation of the blood. A significant study has been carried out on this topic in Japan and the results were presented at the most recent International Asparagus Symposium. In this instance, varietal differences were analysed and some stark results were discovered. Far and away the leading variety in terms of Rutin content was the Canadian cultivar, Guelph Millennium. It showed up as having 71% more than the UK standard variety, Gijnlim. In fact, Millennium was 35% ahead of even the second placed cultivar, a breeding line from the Far East.

Concluding, Petchell stated, “Adding this new information to the anti-cancer saponins, claimed aphrodisiac properties, high level of folates and enjoyable flavour, asparagus becomes a recipe on its own for a long and enjoyable lifestyle. We will be picking up the baton ourselves on this subject next spring and testing cultivars grown under UK conditions.”

Hargreaves Plants believes that to maximise the benefits from asparagus, especially to UK growers and retailers, there is a need to link up with the food industry. A significant quantity of useable asparagus is discarded. This includes open headed or too thick / thin spears, and stem ends, plus bends. All edible the company believes, but needing processing or treatment. Work is taking place to develop flour, spreads like guacamole and other novel foods.

Contact:
Jamie Petchell
Hargreaves Plants
Soft Fruit and Asparagus Stock
Cowpers Gate
Long Sutton, Spalding
Lincs PE12 9BS
United Kingdom
Tel: (+44) 01406 366300
Fax: (+44) 01406 366321
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