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What is Artichoke Vegetable? | What are Artichoke Health Benefits? | Artichoke Vegetable Benefits

The Globe Artichoke is a perennial thistle originating in southern Europe around the Mediterranean. It grows to 1.5 to 2 m tall, with arching, deeply lobed, silvery glaucous green leaves 50 to 82 cm long. The flowers develop in a large head from an edible bud about 8 to 15 cm diameter with numerous triangular scales; the individual florets are purple.This large thistle like plant is native to the regions of southern Europe, North Africa, and the Canary Islands. The leaves of the plant are used medicinally. However, the roots and the immature flower heads may also contain beneficial compounds.

The artichoke leaf extract has choleretic, lipid lowering, antioxidant and hepato-protective effects. It has also been shown to help alleviate abdominal pain. Current research also verifies antiemetic effects of the leaf extract confirming its indication for dyspeptic syndrome. With these clinical and experimental results, it has been determined that artichoke leaf extract is suitable for treating chronic gastrointestinal and specific liver/gallbladder conditions with elevated blood fat values.

Artichoke leaves are used by many in connection with gastrointestinal complaints stemming from bile deficiency, as well as to stimulate appetite and diuresis. The results of several clinical investigations suggested that artichoke extracts are useful when used in connection with hepato-biliary dysfunction and digestive complaints, such as sensation of fullness, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain.

The naturally occuring flavonoids found in the grape seed extract along with the flavonoid glycosides found in the Ginkgo biloba extract, those from the silymarin group found in the Milk Thistle, combined with the bioflavonoids and cynarine in the artichoke extract, all work synergistically with the procaine complexes to feed and protect damaged cells from free radical damage.

Artichokes’ high fiber content is also a bonus for your digestive tract. Insoluble fiber is nature’s laxative, absorbing water and creating bulk to move things along. Artichokes are also a super source of folic acid, which is especially important for women during their childbearing years, as this vitamin helps prevent neural-tube birth defects. Research has also linked long-term deficiencies of folic acid to an increased risk of developing heart disease.

Artichoke extract is one of the few herbal remedies where the clinical and experimental trials have complemented each other. Both experimental and clinical effects have been verified through extensive biomedical herbal renedy research. Specifically, antioxidant, choleretic, hepatoprotective, bile-enhancing and lipid-lowering effects have been demonstrated, which correspond with its historical use.

Artichoke Vegetable Health Benefits:

1.Hangovers:Contrary to what some would like to believe, a study demonstrated the ineffectiveness of artichoke extract in the cure of alcohol-induced hangovers.

2.Diabetes:The carbohydrate in artichokes is in the form of inulin, which has been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels in diabetics. The artichokes must be fresh, as the inulin will eventually convert to other sugars as the artichoke ages.

3.Dyspepsia:In a double blind trial, 247 patients with dyspepsia were treated with artichoke leaf extract, and the results demonstrated an improvement in their dyspeptic symptoms. Dyspepsia is often attributed to insufficient flow of bile from the gallbladder, and there is evidence that artichoke leaf has the ability to stimulate this flow.

4.Irritable bowel syndrome:In a trial involving 208 adults, results provide support for the notion that artichoke leaf extract has potential value in relieving IBS symptoms.

5.Reduce LDL Cholesterol:The artichoke has strong choleretic activity, and choleretics increase the excretion of cholesterol and decrease the manufacture of cholesterol in the liver.The pleasant bitter taste of the artichoke is due mostly to a plant chemical called cynarin, which is found in highest concentration in the leaves of the plant. European scientists first discovered cynarin’s ability to reduce cholesterol in the 1970’s. A compound found in artichoke called luteolinis is also believed to assist with reducing LDL cholesterol.

6.Nutrients:Globe artichokes are an excellent source of dietary fiber, magnesium, and the trace mineral chromium. They are a very good source of vitamin C, folic acid, biotin, and the trace mineral manganese. They are a good source of niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin A, and potassium.

7. Relieves constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

8.Helps abdominal pain, heartburn, bloating

9. Increases bile flow and lover function – used in connection with cirrhosis

10.Has diuretic properties – useful in kidney disease

11. Reduces triglycerides, total serum cholesterol