Health Benefits
Loaded With Nutrients
Cholesterol
Blood Pressure
Liver Health
Digestive Health
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Blood Sugar
Anti – Cancer effects
Skin Health
Chronic Disease
Weight Loss
Detox
Loaded With Nutrients
Artichokes are low in saturated fat and cholesterol while being a rich source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They contain vitamins which include vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin B-6, B-12, A, E, D, and vitamin K. They also provide minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, sodium, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc.
One medium artichoke contains almost 7 grams of fiber, which is an amazing 23–28% of the reference daily intake (RDI).These delicious thistles come with only 60 calories per medium artichoke and around 4 grams of protein — above average for a plant-based food.To top it off, artichokes rank among the most antioxidant-rich of all vegetables (2, 3).
Cholesterol
Apart from their impressive abilities at fighting cancer, artichokes are also considered a heart-healthy addition to your diet for a variety of reasons. Certain ingredients in their leaves have been found to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase the levels of good cholesterol (HDL or omega-3 fatty acids).
Cholesterol is a type of fat that builds up in the arteries of the cardiovascular system, blocks blood flow, increases blood pressure, and can lead to potentially fatal heart attacks and strokes.
Artichoke extract affects cholesterol in two primary ways: first, artichokes contain luteolin, an antioxidant which prevents cholesterol formation and second, artichoke leaf extract encourages your body to process cholesterol more efficiently, leading to lower overall levels.Any method of reducing bad cholesterol is worthwhile, so give artichokes a chance at improving your heart health.
Blood Pressure
Artichokes are a good way to gently improve your heart health and blood pressure. It is helpful in reducing elevated levels of blood pressure but it takes a while for the results to be notices as it works gently and slowly in this regard, so it is a good plant to use in a combination with some other methods for this purpose.
Liver Health
Artichoke leaf extract helps protect your liver from damage and promote the growth of new tissue. It also increases the production of bile, which helps remove harmful toxins from your liver and help relieve symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Digestive Health
Artichokes are a great source of fiber, which can help keep your digestive system healthy by promoting friendly gut bacteria, reducing your risk of certain bowel cancers, and alleviating constipation, indigestion, bloating, nausea, heartburn and diarrhea.
Artichokes contain inulin, a type of fiber which acts as a prebiotic.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects your digestive system and can cause stomach pain, cramping, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and flatulence. Certain compounds in artichokes have antispasmodic properties. This means that they can help stop muscle spasms common in IBS, balance gut bacteria, and reduce inflammation.
Blood Sugar
Artichokes help lower blood sugar levels by slowing down the activity of alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that breaks down starch into glucose.
Anticancer Effects
Certain antioxidants found in artichokes — including rutin, quercetin, silymarin, and gallic acid — in artichokes are thought responsible for these anticancer effects.
Skin Health
This vegetable is very dense in antioxidants, such as quercetin and rutin, as well as vitamin C, all of which can help protect the skin from chronic disease and oxidative stress, thus preventing wrinkles, age spots, and blemishes.
Chronic Disease
On a similar note, artichoke’s dense antioxidant levels will also help you avoid the negative effects of free radicals in the rest of the body, preventing chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Weight Loss
There are some trace minerals in this herb that can suppress the appetite, which can help to prevent overeating and aid in weight loss goals.
Detox
Studies find that artichoke tea is able to increase liver cleansing and reduce toxicity in the body, which will help the metabolism and reduce strain on the immune system.